Erasure of data from a memory of a data storage apparatus by identifying available free space in the memory and iteratively writing a sequence of files decreasing size to the memory using a file-based protocol

摘要

A method of erasing data using a file-based protocol from a data storage apparatus for repurposing, reallocation to a new user or retirement of the data storage apparatus, the data storage apparatus comprising a memory using a file-based protocol, and the method comprises: receiving one or more signals representative of the available free space of at least one selected region of the memory; iteratively writing files to the at least one selected region of the memory using the file based protocol, wherein: at least one of the files is sized based on at least one of the received signals and the iterative writing of the files comprises writing the files in sequence such that for at least part of the sequence each file is smaller in size than the preceding file of the sequence; and wherein the files are written to collectively occupy all of the at least one selected region of the memory; and the method further comprises receiving an indication that said at least one selected region of memory is full following the writing of said files, and in response to the indication writing at least one further file to said at least one region of memory.