What is called the process of intended permanent destruction of the data keys?

The process referred to as the intended permanent destruction of data keys is known as crypto-shredding. This method involves securely deleting cryptographic keys so that the encrypted data becomes irretrievable and cannot be decrypted or accessed by any means.

When crypto-shredding is effectively performed, it ensures that even if an attacker gains access to encrypted data, they will not be able to decipher it without the corresponding decryption keys. This is essential for protecting sensitive information and adhering to data privacy regulations where data destruction requirements are stringent.

In contrast, the other terms listed have distinct meanings: sanitization refers to the process of removing sensitive data from storage media so it cannot be retrieved through ordinary means; encryption involves the technique of converting plaintext into a coded format to secure it; and degaussing is a method aimed at erasing data from magnetic storage devices by disrupting the magnetic fields. Each of these processes serves a different purpose in the broader context of data security and management.