Using different secure erase algorithms to erase chunks from a file associated with different security levels

A computer program product for secure deleting a file, wherein the computer program product comprises a non-transitory computer readable storage medium having computer readable program code embodied therein that executes to perform operations, the operations comprising:

• receiving a request to secure erase a file having a plurality of chunks stored in at least one storage device;
• receiving chunk security level information associating at least one of a plurality of security levels with the chunks of the file;
• determining a first secure erase algorithm to apply to a first chunk in the file in response to the request based on the security level for the first chunk indicated in the chunk security level information;
• determining a second secure erase algorithm to apply to a second chunk in the file in response to the request based on the security level for the second chunk indicated in the chunk security level information;
• applying the first secure erase algorithm to erase the first chunk;
• and
• applying the second secure erase algorithm to erase the second chunk, wherein the first and second secure erase algorithms use different processes to erase the chunks to which they are applied.