Safeguarding Your Business: Best Practices for Secure ITAD in the Age of Data Breaches

According to the 2023 IBM Cost of a Data Breach Report, the average cost of a data breach was estimated at ￡4.46 million.?

This is expected to grow in 2025. The increasing cost of data breaches, combined with the record-breaking number of cyber attacks, proves a critical need for data protection strategies this year.?

Without strategies in place, here’s how you can risk your vulnerable data being exposed:?

Data Remanence:

The ability of computer memory to retain previously saved data for longer than intended is known as data remanence. You may be deleting information, but without a secure data-wiping tool, you won't be able to sanitise them forever.

Physical Theft:

Devices can be stolen, providing thieves with access to any stored data. This includes dumpster diving: thieves physically sift through trash for discarded documents or devices carrying sensitive data.

Third-Party Risks:

Without clear contracts or due diligence, companies can be vulnerable to data breaches. Using an ITAD provider that doesn't adhere to certified environmental standards can create legal issues and the client is always responsible for the consequences of a vendor's mistake.

For IT managers, protecting the security of data across the lifecycle of IT assets is crucial and can become an intimidating task. However, with good preparation and execution, you can safeguard your sensitive data while keeping compliance with industry standards.

Secure data destruction methods should include data erasure (software-based), degaussing and physical destruction.

Luckily, there are methods to avoid all the risks associated with improper ITAD.?

Here are some important tasks to consider:

Comprehensive ITAD Policy

A successful ITAD policy should recycle IT assets to increase their lifespan and resale value. It is important to have a structure in place that protects your company. Your framework should include services like asset tracking, responsible recycling and data sanitisation.

Data Encryption

This is essential as it protects your devices against data theft, alteration, and breach. The main way this can be achieved is through cryptographic erasure. This software-based approach encrypts a device and later erases the decryption key, making the data unobtainable.

Choose a Certified ITAD Provider

Navigating this field can be tricky by yourself. With the extensive risks and removal methods, partnering with a certified ITAD provider can save you a lot of time and money. Look out for ADISA-approved companies with e-Stewards and R2 certificates.?

Chain of Custody

In IT asset management (ITAD), a clear chain of custody is crucial because it promotes accountability and guards against theft, loss, and illegal access to IT assets. Documentation for all disposals should also be generated for your protection.?

Companies that fail to properly manage their data may face severe penalties under laws like the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). If you haven’t already, investing in a trusted partner to manage this should be a crucial part of your 2025 plan.?

To see if this is something your business requires, visit https://reusetechgroup.com/?for a free site survey!