Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and method for permanently and generally instantaneously destroying at least the data contained on magnetic data storage media upon the occurrence of certain events. Unauthorized access to data stored on magnetic media is prevented by destruction of the media with a reactant chemical. This approach may be initiated as a response to tampering or intentionally by using any one of several triggering interfaces described herein. Destruction of the media is quick and permanent, rendering the data unrecoverable even to aggressive recovery procedures.