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VSITR
In brief
VSITR stands for the "Richtlinien zur Behandlung von Verschlusssachen in der Informationstechnik" (VS-IT-Richtlinien), which the Federal Ministry of the Interior issued in 1998. In erasure programs, the name refers to an overwriting method with seven passes and alternating bit patterns. For modern hard drives and especially for SSDs, it is considered outdated today.
How the VSITR method works
With the VSITR method, a data carrier is completely overwritten seven times. In the first passes, bit patterns and their inverse are written alternately, in the last pass a fixed final pattern. The idea behind it: on older magnetic hard drives, even weak residual magnetization of the old data was supposed to be covered. Similar multi-pass methods are DoD 5220.22-M and the Gutmann method.
Why VSITR is outdated today
| Data carrier | Assessment |
|---|---|
| Modern HDDs | According to current standards such as NIST SP 800-88, one complete, verified overwrite pass is generally considered sufficient. Seven passes mainly cost time. |
| SSD's and flash storage | Overwriting from the outside does not reliably reach reserve and relocated blocks. Sanitize commands or crypto erase are more suitable. |
Authorities today follow the Verschlusssachenanweisung and the BSI's requirements when handling classified information, for example the guideline TL-03420. Which method suits which drive is explained in our guide Securely erasing hard drives and SSDs. Second IT erases with Blancco and proves every erasure with a digitally signed certificate for each device.
Frequently asked questions about VSITR
Is VSITR a BSI standard?
The VS-IT-Richtlinien were issued by the Federal Ministry of the Interior. Erasure programs often refer to the method in shortened form as "BSI VSITR". Current BSI requirements for erasure are found in other documents.
Is sevenfold overwriting more secure?
With modern hard drives, it brings hardly any additional security compared with one verified pass. With SSDs, it does not solve the actual problem of unreachable areas.
May I still use VSITR?
Yes, the method is not prohibited. More important than the number of passes are a method that suits the drive, verification of the result and a report.
How does the VSITR erasure method work?
The data carrier is completely overwritten seven times. Bit patterns and their inverse are written alternately, in the last pass a fixed final pattern. The idea: on older magnetic hard drives, even weak residual magnetization was supposed to be covered.
Is VSITR suitable for SSDs?
No, for SSDs it is considered outdated. Overwriting from the outside does not reliably reach reserve and relocated blocks. Sanitize commands or crypto erase are more suitable, ideally with verification of the result and a report.
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