What is the term for the process of deliberately destroying the encryption keys that were used to encrypt data originally?

The term that describes the process of deliberately destroying the encryption keys used to encrypt data is known as crypto-shredding. This process is essential for ensuring that once data is deemed no longer needed, it cannot be accessed or decrypted by any means. By destroying the encryption keys, even if an unauthorized party gains access to the encrypted data, they are unable to decrypt it and render it usable.

This practice is crucial in various scenarios, such as when sensitive data is no longer required for business operations or when complying with data protection regulations that mandate secure data disposal. The goal of crypto-shredding is to eliminate the risk of unauthorized access to sensitive information after it has served its purpose.

In contrast, terms like degaussing refer to methods of erasing magnetic storage media, and digital rights management relates to technologies used to control the use of digital content and devices after sale. Key management, while related to the handling of encryption keys, does not specifically address the act of destroying those keys after their purpose has been fulfilled.