What process involves permanently removing data from a storage device?

The correct answer is data sanitization, which refers to the process of securely removing data from a storage device to ensure that it cannot be recovered or accessed by unauthorized parties. This is a critical procedure, especially when devices are being repurposed or disposed of, as it helps in protecting sensitive information from potential breaches.

Data sanitization can involve various methods such as overwriting, degaussing, or physical destruction of the storage medium. Each of these methods serves to eliminate any trace of data that might be retrievable through conventional means. Proper data sanitization is vital for compliance with privacy regulations and best practices in data security.

In contrast, data recovery pertains to retrieving lost or inaccessible data from a storage medium, which is the opposite of removing data. Data encryption is the process of converting data into a coded format to prevent unauthorized access but does not remove the data itself. Data partitioning involves dividing a storage device into segments for management and organization, which does not relate to the removal of data. Thus, data sanitization is the appropriate answer as it directly addresses the concern of permanently erasing data.