As time passes, so technology advances. Our computer systems and electronic devices are becoming more complex, and we rely on them more heavily, both for business and day to day life. However, as technology advances, it’s vital that our attitudes towards IT asset disposition advance accordingly, for both practical and legal reasons. Changes in regulation, such as the introduction of the GDPR, mean that we need to tighten our approach to ITAD for 2019 and beyond. So, what exactly do we need to be looking at when it comes to ITAD in 2019?
Sustainable disposal
ITAD is about so much more than deleting data from your devices and having them removed from your premises. Unfortunately, too many ITAD suppliers ‘take care’ of redundant IT equipment, only for devices to end up in landfill sites or exported abroad. This is dangerous for so many reasons, particularly because of the hazardous chemicals that can run into soils from electronic waste. With 44.7 million metric tonnes of e-waste in 2016, and numbers on the rise, there’s an increasing amount of pressure for businesses to invest in responsible ITAD solutions. While the UN founded the StEP Initiative in a bid to minimise the negative impacts of e-waste, there is still much room for improvement. As such, it’s important that you’re inquisitive about the final destination of your redundant IT assets. Actively seek providers that can prove their responsibility towards sustainable ITAD, which ensures they can be trusted to comply with regulation and guidelines that protect the environment from the potential dangers of e-waste.
Taking cybersecurity seriously
Data breaches are costly, in terms of both a business’ finances and its reputation and, with potential fines up to €20 million or 4% of annual turnover, they’re something that businesses should be working actively to prevent. Yet, even after the implementation of the GDPR, businesses aren’t taking sufficient steps to sanitise their devices, with 44% of businesses in the trade sector failing to wipe data from devices just two months after the introduction of the new regulation. So what can businesses do to ensure the protection of data once an asset is redundant, if simple data deletion isn’t enough? When embarking on your ITAD journey, you should consider these aspects as integral to responsible asset disposal:
- Data Erasure and Destruction
You should take extreme care that all traces of data are erased from devices before they go on for resale or recycling. DIfferent assets will require different methods of destruction to ensure complete sanitation, and the best ITAD suppliers will be able to meet all your needs, from erasure to degaussing and physical shredding.
- Audits
Understanding the data on your devices, and accounting for this at all stages of its life cycle is integral. Performing regular data audits can help you do just that. However, it’s also important that your ITAD supplier performs audits of client assets.
- ITAD logistics
Will your ITAD be completed onsite or offsite? If it’s the latter, your business will need to consider how your sensitive data will be protected in the process of moving your redundant assets. Your assets should be transported in GPS-tracked vehicles by staff that are trained to deal with sensitive information.
So much of ITAD, for 2019 and beyond, is about protecting the environment, as well as protecting sensitive data, as accountability for both increases and regulation tightens. Partnering with a trustworthy and accredited ITAD supplier is a sure way to help your business develop a responsible process for asset disposal.
With over 25 years industry experience, tier1 are proud to be the UK’s most accredited ITAD supplier. We possess the skills, accreditations and experience to handle our clients’ data with the care they deserve, and to dispose of it responsibility and legally.
Contact us today on 0161 777 1000 or visit https://www.tier1.com to find out how we can help you dispose of your data safely and reliably.
