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zeroize

verbid 737·updated May 11, 2026
candidate

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.

Classifications

Cognitive

Remember60%rule-basednoun_§8.3_default_remember

Responsibility

Unclassifiedauthoritativetrigger_default_value

Automation

Unclassifiedauthoritativetrigger_default_value

Variants

pasttense
zeroized
presentparticiple
zeroizing
thirdpersonsingular
zeroizes
pastparticiple
zeroized

Framework definitions

NISTIR 7298: Glossary of Key Information Security Terms, Revision 22 sensesview framework →
§1
To remove or eliminate the key from a cryptographic equipment or fill device.
§2 · sense_2_pending_review
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.
CNSSI-4009 (Glossary of Information Assurance Terms)1 senseview framework →
§1
To remove or eliminate the key from a cryptographic equipment or fill device.
NIST SP 800-631 senseview framework →
§1
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.

Outgoing relationships

verbLevel
  • rememberlexicon:CognitiveLevel

Incoming relationships

No incoming triples
No other term currently asserts a relationship to this one.