The problem with this is that it assumes it's always safe to destroy a drive, as opposed to the scenario where the mere fact you destroyed storage media is enou

The problem with this is that it assumes it's always safe to destroy a drive, as opposed to the scenario where the mere fact you destroyed storage media is enough to implicate you. The other problem with this is that the NSA is paranoid, and paranoia doesn't necessarily move with the times. This relates back to the first thing: If it's cheap and safe to destroy drives, and you are storing secrets, why not? That does not mean you need to destroy drives, which is what this conversation is about. Wearing a belt and suspenders does not mean belts are prone to failure.