What does physical destruction of records involve?

Physical destruction of records is a process that ensures confidential and sensitive information is irretrievably destroyed to protect privacy and prevent unauthorized access. The most effective methods for achieving this level of security include controlled, enclosed burning and shredding. These methods not only render the information unreadable and unusable but also ensure that it cannot be reconstructed.

Archiving and storage is focused on preserving records rather than destroying them, which does not align with the concept of destruction. Donating to libraries involves transferring ownership of records to another entity, thereby continuing their existence as accessible material rather than destroying them. Digital conversion refers to the process of transferring physical records to a digital format for easier access and management, not their destruction. Hence, the best choice that accurately describes physical destruction is through methods that completely eliminate the physical forms of the records, namely controlled, enclosed burning and shredding.