Your company's old IT equipment holds invaluable information. You don't want that information to end up in the wrong hands. You prevent that by means of the proper data destruction of old ICT hardware. Recycling Best tells you what to look out for.
What should you look for when getting your old IT equipment picked up?
Depreciated IT hardware contains all kinds of data about your company. Think of computers, hard drives, laptops or smartphones of employees that contain company data. Data such as confidential data from customers, staff and suppliers. You don't want that information falling into the wrong hands. Moreover, as a company, you have a legal responsibility under the AVG as a processor of data. You are required to have confidential data properly deleted when you decide to dispose of it.
What can you do with surplus devices? You have several options for this hardware:
- Reuse within own organization
You then choose not to have old devices disposed of right away, but to use them elsewhere within your own organization. For example, some employees need a less powerful computer, so they can easily use a slightly older model. This way you get more out of the investment and increase the lifespan of the device. Another option is to upgrade old hardware so that it can last a few years again.
- Sell
Is the equipment still in a condition good enough to sell? That way you can earn some extra income from the old devices. Just make sure the data destruction is in order before the sale.
- Donate
If reuse within the organization is not an option, and selling is not the solution for you either, you can choose to donate the old hardware. Schools and other nonprofit organizations often welcome this equipment. Again, pay attention to data destruction.
- Recycling
Can't give a second life to your old equipment? Then opt for recycling by an electronic waste processor. The various components will then be recycled in an environmentally friendly way.
Discover Recycling Best's collection service: have your surplus ICT equipment collected and destroyed quickly and easily.
Whatever you do with the equipment, data destruction for ICT and hardware at disposal is essential to prevent sensitive information from getting outside the company. After all, what dangers do you face as a company, including customers and employees? Consider identity theft in the event of stolen
personal information, financial losses caused by data breaches, reputational damage from the loss of sensitive information or other security breaches resulting in disruptions, among other things.
Different types of data destruction
How exactly is data destroyed? There are several ways to do this. One example is the overwrite method, also known as wiping. The data carriers are then overwritten with ones and zeros. This way, the data is lost but the equipment can still be reused. Another way is the physical destruction of a hard drive or SSD, for example, using shredders, where recovery is not possible.
What should you look out for in terms of data security?
As the owner, you are responsible for the data on the equipment. As we mentioned earlier, you have certain obligations under the AVG. Therefore, for data destruction, choose a company that is properly certified so you can be sure that the destruction is done properly. Also check your cyber insurance if you have one. Sometimes it contains specific terms and conditions on how certain server environments must be destroyed.
Here's what else you want to pay attention to for proper data destruction:
- Don't leave old devices with data lying around. Store them properly, under lock and key.
- Don't save old equipment for too long. Clean up several times a year and make sure it is done properly.
- Don't just sell the old ICT hardware for the highest price: choose a certified partner in data destruction. Look out for WEEELABEX certification. With this, a party shows that they meet all legal requirements for processing electronic equipment.
- Keep a data destruction log for greater insight: what exactly was destroyed and when?
Recycling Best picks up your old equipment, including data destruction
Recycling Best guarantees professional data destruction for businesses on all hardware such as old computers, laptops, phones and other data carriers, including a destruction certificate. Recycling Best is WEEELABEX certified: a confirmation that we follow all proper procedures and processes when handling electronic waste from your organization.
Easily and quickly have all your ICT waste disposed of with the nationwide collection service for companies and institutions. The best price for everyone who wants to hand in old electronics in Best.
