E-waste and the reckless disposal of IT properties is a global problem. Although we can’t stop technology from progressing, we can certainly monitor how we dispose of our e-waste. You can do it yourself (which is risky) or employ an IT Asset Disposition (ITAD) firm. For a variety of purposes, we will recommend the latter. For one thing, your old and obsolete IT properties (such as used telecom equipment) were once used to store and transmit sensitive data. They could pose a security risk to the organization if not properly disposed of, i.e. with 100 percent data erasure (or the nation, if your information is that crucial).
As a result, effective ITAD is critical. Organizations are aware of this. The fact that the ITAD market is rising at such a rapid pace demonstrates this. According to Markets and Markets, what was once estimated at USD 10.12 billion in 2015 is now projected to hit USD 20.09 billion by 2022, with a CAGR of 9.83 percent over the forecast period. ITAD is for a lot more than just data erasure. This article covers everything you need to know about IT Asset Disposition, including how to do it safely and responsibly.
A Comprehensive Asset Disposition Program’s Key Elements
Let’s start with the fundamentals of ITAD.
IT asset disposition (ITAD) is a company that focuses on safely and environmentally friendly disposal of outdated or unused equipment. A well-thought-out asset disposal strategy follows four main steps:
– Transportation and logistics – The method of sorting out the old and surplus IT reserves based on their reusability, marking them, and shipping them to a location where they will be destroyed.
– Refurbishing – After the equipment has been sorted for usability, we will determine what can be reused and restored. Alternatively, it can be resold at market rates.
– The most important aspect is data destruction. Its aim is to ensure that all of your data is securely destroyed after verification. Certificates of data destruction are needed for auditing purposes.
– Recycling and Reporting – Recycling is the final step in the ITAD. If the equipment is classified as “not reusable,” it will be recycled. The equipment will be ‘operated’ here in order to recover recycled components and elements. The remainder will be burned in a responsible manner.
To summarize, the ITAD company you hired manages our e-waste (for example, surplus or used phone equipment) by separating the useful (for reuse), transporting the waste (for data destruction) (confidential data that may pose a threat to your organization), and sending them off to their predetermined end (recycling/incineration). All of this is done while maintaining privacy, protection, and environmental enforcement, allowing you to get the most out of your IT properties.
Five Advantages of a Well-Managed ITAD Program
ITAD efficiency comes with a slew of advantages. The top five are listed below:
1. Inventory Control: E-waste is the term for electronic waste. Averted Crisis…
To run a company, we need IT gadgets (in some form or another). We require telephones, systems, plugs, and so on. And as we grow, so does technology. Telephones (landlines) are becoming redundant, and networks are being updated. There is a crisis.
We are not just averting (or making the most of) the impending (or current) crisis by implementing a standard and effective ITAD software (more on it later). We have a precise count of IT properties that have been properly labeled and disposed of.’
2. Keeps Logistics Costs Under Control
Consider the prospect of having to dispose of your old IT equipment on your own. On top of the key workload, imagine the burden of collecting, arranging, marking, packaging, extracting, refurbishing, reselling, and R2 recycling. Consider losing, misplacing, or destroying once-valuable equipment. Consider this…
You will save time and money by hiring an ITAD company to dispose of your obsolete IT assets. There’s also the issue of stress. Running a company is no laughing matter.
They’ll handle everything, including logistics costs. And with reliable reporting, you’ll really know what’s going on with your prized possessions.
3. Provides complete data protection during disposal
The most significant benefit of ITAD is safe and validated data erasure. Data breaches may occur as a result of irresponsible data destruction of old equipment, causing harm to the company and its associates. Before submitting your data for recycling, reusing, or reselling, ITAD guarantees that it is responsibly destroyed (even providing you with a certificate for verification).
4. Ensures that environmental, corporate, and compliance laws are followed.
Responsible asset disposal necessitates compliance with a variety of environmental, local/national, and corporate laws and regulations, as well as those specific to your sector. Failure to comply may result in public humiliation, a breach of confidence, and a slew of fines. Guys, this is not a good idea. Thankfully, every ITAD company ensures that all of your disposal is completed in accordance with the applicable laws and regulations.
- Recovering the highest possible value
Nowadays, asset disposal is more than just a cost. It also refers to asset recovery, which refers to the money (or value) gained from reselling or refurbishing electronic waste. A well-designed ITAD program will help you get the most out of your used IT and telecom equipment both directly (through resale costs) and indirectly (through elements recovered during recycling) (by saving you from breaching compliance and the resultant penalty).
Overall, ITAD is vital to the success of your business. When the time comes, you should not overlook this choice.
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About the Author:
I am a cybersecurity and IT instructor, cybersecurity analyst, pen-tester, trainer, and speaker. I am an owner of the WyzCo Group Inc. In addition to consulting on security products and services, I also conduct security audits, compliance audits, vulnerability assessments and penetration tests. I also teach Cybersecurity Awareness Training classes. I work as an information technology and cybersecurity instructor for several training and certification organizations. I have worked in corporate, military, government, and workforce development training environments I am a frequent speaker at professional conferences such as the Minnesota Bloggers Conference, Secure360 Security Conference in 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, the (ISC)2 World Congress 2016, and the ISSA International Conference 2017, and many local community organizations, including Chambers of Commerce, SCORE, and several school districts. I have been blogging on cybersecurity since 2006 at http://wyzguyscybersecurity.com