INTELLIGENT BRANDS // Enterprise Security
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Should destroy or redeploy
old equipment?
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“One hard drive can contain millions of
files and when a file or folder is deleted, the
information still remains on the drive and this
includes deleted email messages,” he said.
Formatting or overwriting will not even be
enough to prevent confidential, proprietary
and sensitive data from being recovered
by data thieves using simple techniques
and equipment. Physical destruction of
old devices is the best way to reduce a
company’s data breach exposure.
C
ompanies must be cautious to safely
dispose of data-rich electronics,
especially in this rapid pace of
technological and digital change. An even
bigger challenge is to decide whether it is
more economical to destroy or redeploy
old equipment. Recycling old electronics
is the right choice when they are broken
and beyond repair, but equipment that still
works could be sold or donated to needy
organisations and charities. “IT Asset Disposition best practices involve
both logical and physical destruction of
obsolete or unwanted data and equipment.”
The only way to do this effectively is with a
proper IT Asset Management Program and,
while doing so, businesses must take proactive
measures to ensure there is no trace of
sensitive information left behind, particularly
considering the growing number of gadgets
now linked to network infrastructure.
According to Xperien CEO Wale Arewa,
businesses that don’t implement device
end-of-life protocols are putting crucial info
in unnecessary danger. “Not everyone is thinking about a cohesive
strategy when identifying areas of risk,”
added Arewa.
“One needs to create a strategy to protect
data from cradle to the grave,” he said.
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“There is also a legal requirement that needs
to be considered, by destroying your hard
drives and tapes helps keep your business
compliant with Protection of Personal
Information Act 2013 (PoPI) and the
European Union’s General Data Protection
Regulation (GDPR),” said Arewa. n
IT Asset Disposal (ITAD) vendors often buy
equipment from organisations to refurbish
and resell or to strip the device for spare
parts. For the company, this approach
provides steady and predictable revenue that
can be offset against the cost of compliant
disposal of electronic equipment.
“Items carrying critical data will normally
have this data erased, the item refurbished
or resold back into the market. However,
many businesses take the path of least
resistance, finding the lowest price vendor to
just take away a device for free.”
Arewa believes the biggest misconception is
that they can just delete the files and folders,
but don’t realise that the data is still there.
Xperien CEO Wale Arewa
www.intelligentcio.com