As your business’ data needs change, so will your requirements for IT equipment. This means that you will need to carefully consider the ways in which you might dispose of your redundant devices and equipment. Not only is it important that you give your ITAD process some thought because of the recent implementation of the GDPR, it is also important in terms of keeping your business and client data as secure as possible, as well as protecting the environment. In order that your ITAD process is as secure as possible, we have devised this list of five critical ITAD mistakes that you should avoid making.
Doing It Yourself
Though it is possible to dispose of your redundant IT assets in-house, it is advisable to enlist the help of a reputable ITAD provider. This provider will help you to ensure the complete erasure of any data stored on these devices, and will ensure that your devices are disposed of or recycled within the specification of data protection guidelines. A reputable ITAD provider will also be able to provide you with a certificate of destruction, to provide evidence that any data on your redundant devices has been dealt with appropriately.
Prioritising Cost
While finances will play a part in all business decisions, ITAD should be an area that you reserve a little more budget for. A reputable ITAD provider will usually come at a price, and this price is completely justifiable, providing that your ITAD provider complies to all necessary laws and regulations. Opting for a free ITAD provider can be a risk for a number of reasons, but one of the most important is that it could put your business at a higher risk of falling victim to a data breach, meaning you will be subject to the serious fines and reputational damage that comes with failing to abide by the GDPR.
Disposing Too Quickly
It happens far too often that, when a business no longer requires a certain device, or when that device becomes outdated, businesses automatically consider disposing of it, even though many parts of the device are completely reusable. Consider your options, such as recycling and resale. Your ITAD provider should be able to provide you with advice and guidance as to which items can be recycled and resold.
Non-Compliance to Environmental Guidelines
When disposing of data and IT equipment, we become so concerned with complying to data protection regulations that environmental regulations and guidelines can often get overlooked. This is problematic, given the toxic chemicals that are present in computers and other IT devices. When disposing of your IT assets, you should be aware of a number of environmental regulations, particularly the WEEE Directive and the Landfill Regulations Act 2002, ensuring your compliance for the entirety of the process.
Not Having an Asset Inventory
It is important that you keep track of all IT equipment and devices within your business, and understand what they are used for and who by, and an asset inventory will allow you to do just this. Not only should your IT asset inventory cover what these devices are used for and by whom, it should also define the suitable process of disposition, when they reach their end of life. This will help you to ensure compliance with regulations, and will ensure that all devices are accounted for, whether or not they are at the stage of disposition.
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.
