zeroize

verbverified·updated Jun 3, 2026

GlossaryL1 — what DictionaryL2 — how used ThesaurusL3 — relations Universaleverything

Overwrite a memory location with data consisting entirely of bits with the value zero so that the data is destroyed and not recoverable. This is often contrasted with deletion methods that merely destroy reference to data within a file system rather than the data itself.

NISTIR 7298: Glossary of Key Information Security Terms, Revision 2

Senses

1 more sense beyond the canonical

NISTIR 7298: Glossary of Key Information Security Terms, Revision 2

To remove or eliminate the key from a cryptographic equipment or fill device.

Classifications

per-axis with provenance

Cognitive

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Responsibility

Unclassified—authoritativetrigger_default_value

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Automation

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Variants

4 surface forms

pasttense: zeroized
presentparticiple: zeroizing
thirdpersonsingular: zeroizes
pastparticiple: zeroized

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