IT Services and Support Provider: Don’t Just Dispose of Your Tech, Do It Safely!

Practical Ways to Implement Secure IT Asset Disposition for Small Businesses 

No matter how expensive your business’ IT hardware, it will eventually need to be replaced. Devices, even those considered “top of the line” during the initial purchase, will fall behind or will no longer be compatible with the latest roll out applications and software. Some of this hardware may still work, but performance would have significantly decreased and sluggish operation. As such, it should be disposed of to make room for new tools. However, experts in IT services and support discourages throwing these old pieces of hardware away like regular furniture since it may still have sensitive business information. Even when a device malfunctions, that information may still be recoverable. 

IT Services and Support Provider: Don’t Just Dispose of Your Tech, Do It Safely!

That is why proper IT Asset Disposition or ITAD is important. According to IT services and support experts, ITAD is the safe, ethical, and documented technology asset retirement. When done properly, it secures your information, aids in regulation compliance, and minimizes risk over the long term. 

The following are some examples of how small businesses can incorporate ITAD into their operations. 

Create a Clear and Practical ITAD Policy 

The process of security starts with planning, says IT services and support providers. This definite set of rules makes the process of device retirement smooth and safe. An ITAD policy does not need to be complex and too technical but rather, requires specific duties and procedures. Some of the things your policy should include are: 

• The steps in the process of retiring company-owned IT assets. 

• Who initiates, approves, and handles device retirement? 

• Necessary standards of data destruction and documentation. 

This process traces accountability for the disposed device and establishes a strict path of custody to eliminate speculation. It also means everyone knows their part and ITAD becomes proactive rather than reactive.  

Employee Offboarding to Include ITAD 

There are a good number of devices that are not returned when an employee leaves the company. This may include laptops, phones, tablets, and external drives that may become an access point for data breaches to infiltrate the network system. This gap can be bridged by integrating ITAD into your offboarding process. Additionally, it also ensures that no device slips undetected. Hence, IT must be notified as soon as an employee hands in their resignation or receives their notice of dismissal. This enables the IT services and support to recover the devices and wipe them clean using approved data sanitization techniques before redeployed or discontinued. 

This system also helps save company resources as devices that are in good condition may be reused within the organization. For older and defective devices, the ITAD workflow should follow through with the disposal process. This strict practice keeps sensitive data safe as well as enhances trust and accountability between teams. 

IT Services and Support Team Should Document the Chain of Custody 

Each device goes on a journey over its limited life span. However, most companies cannot track the journey. Documenting a chain of custody maintains a record of each device from acquisition, issuance, retrieval, storage, and wiping out previous data. Hence, noting on who is accountable for the device at each phase and the actions done during the various stages. This can be done by simple paper logs or through a digital asset tracking system. However, what is more important is the consistency and accuracy of the data which should include dates, handlers, locations, and updates on status need to be in each record. By keeping this trail, there are fewer blind spots and avoid wastage, damage, or mismanagement. Furthermore, it generates an audit-ready record that exhibits diligence and responsibility during compliance reviews.  

Data Sanitization Should be the Priority 

Physical destruction alone can be misinterpreted. This is because there is a widespread misconception that drives must be shredded when in fact, the sanitization of data is typically adequate and more feasible. This involves the application of special software to overwrite data as many times as possible, hence rendering the original information irretrievable.  IT services and support professionals cite several advantages associated with this approach, including the protection of sensitive data.  

Moreover, it also maintains the hardware’s worth since gadgets can be remodeled, recycled, or resold hence, minimizing waste and promoting environmental sustainability. In the same vein, prolonging the life of devices is in line with the concept of the circular economy where raw materials serve longer to have less impact on the environment. Plus, refurbished equipment can even earn a profit in certain circumstances as safe disposal does not necessarily imply destruction.  

Work With a Certified IT Services and Support Provider for ITAD 

In as much as all these ways to safely dispose of old hardware is simple. Still, many small companies are not provided with the means or the skill to perform safe destruction of data. As such, the need to collaborate with an expert IT services and support providers to perform proper and authorized ITAD is needed. Here at EB Solution, our professional IT and cybersecurity experts would be able to assist with these tasks including setting up your procedure and documentation in the right way. This is particularly important as even retired assets are also a liability. Hence, having professionals do this means being compliant with industry regulations.  

So, turn your old devices into a strategic advantage. Secure IT asset disposition and keep your information secure even when devices become unworkable.  

Talk to our IT and cybersecurity experts today!