Safe and effective IT equipment disposal is as important now as it's ever been. Prevalent environmental concerns mean responsible disposal of all types of electronic waste, IT equipment included, is being placed under the microscope like never before. However, equally near the top of everyone's priority list is the question of data security.
Assurances of full data wiping should be a core part of your IT Asset Disposal (ITAD) process, and this isn’t something that many ‘free IT Disposal’ services are prepared to offer. IT Asset Disposal is an area no businesses can afford to take chances on, though it doesn't have to cost the earth if done right.
Here are some key examples of overall what a good ITAD process might look like:
1) Secure de-installation and cataloguing - Removing permissions and credentials should be carefully considered during the de-installation process, as these can be retrieved from old equipment by someone skilled enough. It's also good practice to catalogue what's being wiped and when; obviously you shouldn't keep a detailed record of private information (or it would defeat the point), but you should always keep a record of what's happened, to cover your back for any possible confusion or misunderstanding later down the line.
2) Data destruction - There are slightly different levels here that may suit your specific business. Complete physical destruction is preferred if you're handling extremely sensitive material, or if you don’t intend to use the asset again. Otherwise, a wiping of hard drives may suffice, so long as it's handled by qualified professionals.
3) Refurbishment - Should complete destruction not be necessary, refurbishment can be a key element in helping cut down on environmental impact, and in recouping some of the value from old IT assets. Recycling IT equipment not only gives it a renewed life span but means there's one less new build required elsewhere, so as long as sensitive information has been assuredly wiped there are no concerns for former users to worry about.
4) Reporting and certification - Once the disposal process is complete you should ensure it is documented correctly, otherwise businesses can find themselves in breach of regulatory data compliance. Any business can say they've securely destroyed IT equipment without actually doing so, after all. Ideally you would have a third party to help certify that this has not only been done but completed to the correct standards. An experienced ADISA certified ITAD company like Absolute ITAD can help you take care of this part.
Outsourcing your IT asset disposal management to Absolute ITAD
Using a reputable and accredited asset disposal company for every part of this process is highly recommended, as it helps to ensure that all correct processes have been followed effectively. At Absolute ITAD, we have over 15 years’ experience managing secure and environmentally sustainable asset disposals on behalf of our clients, so please get in touch today for a competitive quote and complete peace of mind.
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