A company is concerned about theft of client data from decommissioned laptops. Which of the following is the most cost-effective method to decrease this risk?

Wiping, or securely erasing data, is the most cost-effective method. It involves overwriting the storage media multiple times with random data, making the original data unrecoverable. This process is typically software-based and can be performed on-site, reusing the hardware or preparing it for safe disposal. Recycling is a disposal method that doesn't inherently remove data and would require prior wiping. Shredding (physical destruction) is effective but significantly more expensive and prevents hardware reuse. Deletion, particularly a standard file deletion, only removes pointers to data, leaving the actual data recoverable with forensic tools.