Zeroisation

"Emergency Erase" (АВАРИЙНОЕ СТИРАНИЕ) switch, zeroize in NSA parlance, on a cryptographic device of the Soviet Strategic Rocket Forces

In cryptography, zeroisation (also spelled zeroization) is the practice of erasing sensitive parameters (electronically stored data, cryptographic keys, and critical security parameters) from a cryptographic module to prevent their disclosure if the equipment is captured. This is generally accomplished by altering or deleting the contents to prevent recovery of the data.[1]

  1. ^ "FIPS PUB 140-2 - SECURITY REQUIREMENTS FOR CRYPTOGRAPHIC MODULES" (PDF). Retrieved 2023-08-25.