Skip to Search Skip to Content Skip to Footer
Sims Lifecycle Services
  • Locations
  • Blog
  • Client Portal
  • Contact
  • English
    • Deutsch
Menu
  • For Data Centers
    • Overview
    • Decommissioning
    • Staffing
    • Cloud Services
    • Edge Data Center Decommissioning
    • Colocation Data Center
    • Data Center Shutdown
    • Infrastructure Reuse
    • Data Destruction
    • Recycle the Cloud
    • How To Checklist
    • FAQ
    • SLS plays a key role in helping companies manage ongoing technology shifts in data centers. Our record of success includes working with businesses, data centers and major cloud companies to provide periodic decommissioning of older data center equipment. We provide bulk on-site data destruction services, and provide complete resell and recycling services for retired data center equipment. SLS proactively develops solutions for our client’s emerging data center technologies.
  • For Businesses
    • Overview
    • ITAD
      • RFP Template for ITAD
      • Gartner ITAD Report
    • IT Asset Recovery
    • Data Destruction
      • On-Site Data Destruction
      • Bulk Data Destruction Services
      • Storage Device Types
      • Data Destruction Standards
      • Vendor Selection
    • Data Center
    • E-Waste Recycling
    • Reporting
    • Logistics
    • Equipment We Process
    • SLS provides secure and compliant global IT asset disposition (ITAD), e-waste recycling and data center decommissioning services for businesses. We refurbish, repair and restore materials for continued useful life. In addition to facilitating reuse of equipment, SLS also recycles discarded electronics, transforming waste to raw material. Recycling diverts material from landfill or incineration and provides a feedstock for making next generation products.
  • For Manufacturers
    • Overview
    • Returns Management
    • Refining
      • Governance
      • How We Do It
      • Plating Industry
      • Aerospace Industry
      • Electronics Industry
      • Other Industries
    • Certified Destruction
    • Defense Contractors
    • Recycling
    • Extended Producer Responsibility
    • Portal and Reports
    • Recycling Innovation
    • How Computers Are Recycled
    • We work with manufacturers to manage reverse logistics and recover value from returned equipment. We resell whole units, manage spare parts recovery and responsibly recycle obsolete equipment. We also work with manufacturers in managing their extended producer responsibility requirements.
  • Global
    • Overview
    • Compliance
      • GDPR FAQ
    • Client Sustainability
      • Sustainability Reporting
      • Circular Economy Explained
    • International Associations
    • Consumer E-Waste
    • Leading companies trust SLS to provide a globally coordinated e-waste recycling and ITAD single solution with a high focus on data security, regulatory and corporate compliance, value recovery and sustainability.
  • About Us
    • Overview
    • Certifications
    • Sustainability at Sims
    • EH&S
    • Equipment We Process
    • Careers
    • As a business division of Sims Limited, SLS has the global reach, expertise, and infrastructure necessary to ensure to our customers that all electronic devices are processed in a secure and environmentally responsible manner.
  • News
    • Blog
    • Videos
    • Resources
    • Infographics
    • Press Releases
    • Backed by a global network of IT asset disposition and e-recycling facilities, SLS is a leader in compliant disposition and recycling of electronic equipment. Stay up-to-date with our press releases, blog, newsletter, case studies, white papers, tip sheets, infographics and videos.

HOW TO GUIDE: Template for Developing IT Asset Disposition (ITAD) RFP

Get Your Copy

ITAD: 4 Strategies for Managing Risk and Data Security

Menu
  • Locations
  • Blog
  • Client Portal
  • Contact
May 2, 2019
by SLS Media

The most recent Cost of a Data Breach Report states that the global average cost of a data breach is $3.86 million. The same report discloses customer personally identifiable information (PII) was the most frequently compromised type of data, present in 80% of the breaches analyzed.

Over the past few years we have seen a 75 percent increase in data breaches, which has motivated organizations to focus more on their corporate risk management and data security policies. When it comes to IT asset disposition (ITAD) and e-Recycling programs, the focus on security is being taken more seriously to comply.

Especially for global companies, an IT asset disposition program needs to consider corporate risk management, business continuity and data security policies. These can all impact a global ITAD program.

Here are four strategies many companies consider during ITAD when managing risk and data security.

1. Data Security: Maintain a Strong Data Destruction Plan

Many data destruction plans for retired IT and data center equipment will be similar to the risk protection portion of a corporate data security policy. Corporate data security policies usually will include criteria for managing data usage, access and privacy. Processes for highlighting vulnerabilities and ensuring protection from data threats are always included in these security policies.

But what happens when significant upgrades are made to a company’s IT infrastructure? Does the corporate data security policy include specifications for managing replaced IT equipment? This is where policies could lack, and for global companies in particular, where challenges exist.      

2. Global:Understand and Address Global Challenges

Global companies often face the challenge of consistently managing data destruction processes from country to country at smaller offices with remote employees. Managing inventory alone can be difficult, let alone considering changes to data bearing devices over time.

3. Tracking and Reporting: Manage a Strong Asset Inventory List

There are more devices today storing larger amounts of data. Keeping a strong IT asset inventory list will help manage what employees are provided which asset. However, keeping that list up to date and managing data destruction for every data storage device is where daily management can become a challenge.

Strong IT asset inventory lists can be the backbone of an IT asset disposal program. This ensures all items are accounted for and can later be used for tracking disposition of items, which is usually maintained using ITAD vendor portals. Certificates can usually be viewed on these systems and linked back to asset tags and serial numbers, making audits and compliance much easier to manage.

4. Compliance: Recognize Applicable Regulatory and Corporate Requirements

When operating globally, regulations vary by region/country. For global IT asset disposition, there are several considerations including,

  • Regulations to consider in each country,
  • Legislation regarding e-waste disposal,
  • Changes on the horizon that may affect e-waste disposal processes,
  • Regulations that may affect ITAD programs, such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).

Staying informed of these requirements is important, which is why IT asset disposition vendors usually provide support and guidance on maintaining compliance.

ITAD Risk Management Strategies

There are many ways to ensure data security of replaced and disposed IT equipment. On-site data destruction services have become a popular and useful service for providing that extra sense of security in the data destruction process. Clients can usually witness the physical destruction of these devices when this takes place, and before equipment is transported away for recycling, providing visual proof of data security.

If equipment is being reused, data wiping should be performed by a professional certified data destruction vendor who can wipe according to industry guidelines for media sanitization. Two wiping standards often used in the industry include, NIST SP 800-88 r1 in the United States, and HMG IA Infosec No5 globally. Wiping is 99.999 percent effective, only if done correctly. So it is best to make sure it is, in fact, performed correctly.

Additional strategies tend to be unique to each organization and their needs. Working with a qualified, and certified, IT asset disposition company is how most companies get the expertise and guidance needed to manage these programs securely and effectively.

For more information on how to build a successful global IT asset disposition program, view this white paper.

 

 

Posted in: Digital Data Destruction, Global ITAD Solutions, IT Asset Disposition, IT Asset Tracking
Previous Post Next Post

Circular Newsletter

Subscribe to the Circular Newsletter

"*" indicates required fields

Name
Country*
*

Data Center Services

Learn More

SLS on the Road

We will be attending these upcoming industry related trade shows and conferences.

Join us!

Regions

  • Americas
  • Global
  • EMEA
  • APAC

Topics

Archives

Sims Lifecycle Services
  • Corporate Information
    • About Us
    • Certifications
    • Locations
  • Services
    • For Data Centers
    • For Businesses
    • For Electronics Manufacturers
    • Data Destruction
    • Global Services
  • Contact
    • Email
    • News
    • Blog
  • Sims Limited
    • SLS is a business division of Sims Limited. Discover how Sims Limited plays an integral role in the circular economy by making resources available for future use.
      Visit the Sims Limited Website
  • Other Business Divisions (external websites)
    • Sims Metal
    • Sims Resource Renewal

Sign up for our newsletter

"*" indicates required fields

Your data will be collected and stored with sign up*
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

  • Visit Us on Instagram (opens new window)
  • Visit Us on Twitter (opens new window)
  • Visit Us on Facebook (opens new window)
  • Visit Us on LinkedIn (opens new window)
Copyright © 2003 - 2023 Sims Lifecycle Services, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
  • Privacy Policy
  • Legal
  • Terms of Use