Many businesses believe that they can deal with their IT asset disposal needs alone and, while this may be true for some companies, it’s a risky move for most. Not only is it important to protect your business data– including sensitive client data– while your devices are in use, it’s also vital to take steps to safeguard this data when devices are no longer in use, whether you decide to reuse, recycle or dispose of your IT equipment.
The right ITAD company will ensure that all data is sufficiently erased from devices, as well as making certain that your redundant equipment is disposed of responsibly. But how can you be sure that you’ve chosen the right ITAD partner? There’s much more to choosing your ITAD provider than who seems to offer the most competitive deal. Here are four things to consider before choosing at ITAD partner.
Accreditation
One of the most important factors to consider before choosing an ITAD partner is their accreditations. It’s crucial that a provider has accreditations relevant to your industry. Accreditations might include the ISO 27001 certification, recognised internationally, or the National Association for Information Destruction (NAID) – proof that they provide the highest possible level of security during the disposal of sensitive data. Trustworthy providers will be happy to provide proof of certification and accreditation, so don’t hesitate to ask.
ITAD Needs
Consider what services you need from your ITAD provider. How often will you require their services, and what exactly will you require? What method of data destruction will be provided? Will your ITAD utilise overwriting software on devices , data degaussing or physical destruction? If you will be looking to resell the majority of your IT equipment, you might look for a partner that specialises in returning residual value to you. Likewise, your ITAD partner will need a Waste Carriers License if they will be disposing of your redundant devices.
Logistics
If you have multiple business locations, can the ITAD partner cover all of these locations with their services, or will you need to move all equipment into the same location? Transporting devices that hold sensitive data can also pose a security risk, not least because it increases the chances of theft before data has been erased from devices. Ideally, you should select an ITAD provider that can cover all of your locations, collecting equipment in GPS tracked, secure vehicles.
Compliance
Not only is it important that an ITAD provider is compliant with your own company-wide policies regarding environmental and client protection, it’s vital that they’re compliant with legal requirements. The GDPR and WEEE Directive are just some legal standards to which an ITAD should comply. Non-compliance to such standards can be detrimental to your own business reputation, should the partner act outside of the regulations. Be sure that your ITAD partner provides a certificate of destruction as proof that they have acted within these regulations.
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.
