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Data protection in a cyber-sensitive world

Mon 21 Jan 2019 | John Shegerian

Proper IT asset disposal (ITAD) is increasingly becoming a vital enterprise consideration and is an industry growing in sophistication, writes John Shegerian

Electronic devices are being switched out at a faster pace than we have ever seen before in history. At the rapid rate that technology is improving, businesses, government agencies, and individuals are all upgrading to the latest and greatest faster than ever before, and there has been an increased emphasis on data destruction.

At the end of the day, organisations in 2019 want a complete and thorough paper trail for their technology assets. Make, model, serial number tracking, etc. are important to catalog and keep track of, and, as mentioned above, the handling of sensitive data on these devices and data security in general is crucial if companies are to avoid devastating breaches.

Aside from a swifter turnover of devices and technological advances, there are a number of other major factors driving the growth of the ITAD market.

The “bring your own device” (BYOD) trend in many organisations is a significant factor. BYOD has created demand for IT asset disposition because employees are using old versions on their laptops.

Regulatory changes across the globe aimed at minimising the environmental hazards which are created by electronic waste are also causing an uptick in the IT asset disposition market.

Government regulations for saving the data and environmental protection have increased demand for ITAD services. Many industries are also regulated by different kinds of privacy protection rules such as HIPAA or FACTA.

“When it comes to data theft, businesses are no longer only at risk in cyberspace. Outdated hardware has increasingly become the target of choice”

Finally, an unfortunate but very real consideration that is also leading to increased need for ITAD services is the escalating number of cybercrime and hardware hacking incidents.

Cybercrime

Hackers have become very sophisticated, leading to an urgent need for responsible and fully integrated ITAD services. When it comes to data theft, businesses are no longer only at risk in cyberspace. Outdated hardware has increasingly become the target of choice.

It is urgent that outdated devices be replaced – and then responsibly destroyed. That process should be done on-site by certified electronic recyclers and should always include complete, physical data destruction.

Guaranteed data destruction is key. Some companies believe their data is being wiped when they drop devices off for recycling and that is not always the case. Also, unethical and illegal shipping of e-waste abroad has become an additional layer to the hardware security issue because it leads to unethical data mining scenarios. Recycling these devices is important, but it must be done the right way.

No-risk approach

One data breach incident can lead to the end of a business due to fines, lawsuits, loss of customer confidence and loss of proprietary data in general.

The hardware security issue is significant now on a number of levels because it leads to the wholesale liquidation of the privacy of the corporations and individuals who have utilised the technology. It is more imperative than ever that we recycle these devices and do it the right way – from both environmental and data destruction standpoints.

Effective IT and Electronics IT Asset Disposition should meet the three critical requirements of data security, information privacy, environmental protection.

Data security, information privacy, and environmental protection must all be addressed to protect an organisation’s reputation, to preserve its (and its customers’) privacy, and to prevent costly fines.

Every organisation is responsible to adhere to its local and national regulations regarding data security, information privacy, and environmental protection. Failure to do so can be devastating.

“Unethical and illegal shipping of e-waste abroad has become an additional layer to the hardware security issue because it leads to unethical data mining scenarios”

Global issue

Every country is different and has different environmental regulations. In the United States, the individual states have their own sets of regulations even.

So it is crucial to work with an ITAD services provider that is familiar with all environmental, privacy and data security regulations for the region where the services are being provided. This can be demonstrated through certifications by governmental and industry watchdog organisations.

ITAD is a global issue and we are seeing need for ITAD services around the globe. The Asia Pacific region is pretty universally expected to be the fastest growing region in terms of ITAD activity and is projected to hold 30.9 percent global market share by 2022.

High technology adoption and industrialisation in emerging countries such as South Korea, India, and Australia are contributing to the soaring growth of that market. Additionally, increasing awareness towards environmental safety in emerging markets is propelling the growth of IT asset disposition planet-wide.

Join John at this year’s Data Centre World, taking place at the ExCeL London this March. DCW and its colocated events attract over 20,000 IT professionals in the UK’s largest technology event. Book your free ticket now.

Title of talk: Data protection in a cyber sensitive world
Time of talk: 12th March
Theater: Keynote

Experts featured:

John Shegerian

Executive Chairman
ERI

Tags:

cybersecurity data protection it asset disposal itad recycling
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