Efficient elimination of access to data on a writable storage media

A system for eliminating access to data comprising:

• a tape drive having a cartridge handling system, the tape drive configured to:
• receive a tape cartridge therein, the tape cartridge comprising tape media;
• control movement of a servo head relative to the tape media by moving the tape media across a magnetic head at a desired velocity, and stops, starts and reverses the direction of movement of the tape media;
• communicate with the tape cartridge,
• determine whether the tape cartridge has encrypted data stored thereon;
• in response to determining that the tape cartridge has encrypted data stored thereon, determine whether key shredding is enabled;
• and
• in response to determining that key shredding is not enabled, perform a long erase on at least one portion of the encrypted data, and shred at least one encryption key associated with the at least one portion of the encrypted data for eliminating access thereto.

A system for eliminating access to data comprising:

• a tape drive configured to:
• receive a tape cartridge therein, the tape cartridge comprising tape media;
• shred at least one encryption key corresponding to encrypted data stored on the tape media;
• and
• determine whether key shredding is enabled;
• and
• in response to determining that key shredding is not enabled, perform a long erase on at least the encrypted data,
• wherein the encryption key is shredded in response to determining that key shredding is not enabled.