A method for concurrently erasing data on a processor and preparing the processor for removal from a computing system is disclosed. In one embodiment, such a method includes determining tasks queued to be executed on a processor and reassigning the tasks to a different processor, such as to a different processor in the same cluster as the processor. The method further prevents new tasks from being assigned to the processor. The method waits for currently executing tasks on the processor to complete. Once the currently executing tasks are complete, the method initiates a cache-hostile job on the processor to evict entries in cache of the processor. Once the cache-hostile job is complete, the method enables the processor to be removed from a computing system such as a storage system controller. A corresponding system and computer program product are also disclosed.