Does Effective Data Security Mean Proper IT Hardware Disposal?
In this constantly technology-evolving world, data is everywhere.
We can’t make a single movement on the web without our data being stored or used somehow.
Data security should be a main priority for any business, certainly with the GDPR (General Data Protection Regulations) coming into play very soon; however, it could be even more important when disposing of decommissioned hardware.
Buying Trends
Recent statistics sourced by market researchers Spiceworks have found that 44% of businesses are expecting their IT budgets to grow this year, with a further 44% expecting it to remain the same.
A factor which might have influenced these expected growths in the budget could be due to the effective disposal of IT hardware and data.
With increased restrictions being implemented to protect sensitive data through the GDPR, the importance of data destruction has never been so vital.
As the primary objective of the GDPR is to give more control to citizens over their personal data, failure to dispose of any unwanted information can lead to various detrimental situations, including identity theft and loss of customer trust.
Ensuring that information and hardware is properly disposed of can ensure that all personal and sensitive information is unavailable for misuse or copying.
Without doing so, your business can face gargantuan fines for insufficient data security.
Rotation of Hardware
There are several ways to fall victim to the ineffective disposing of hardware and data: the most common being the rotation of hardware.
Perhaps your existing hardware has become slow and obsolete. Perhaps your business is relocating, and are considering leaving some of your old equipment behind in the process.
With the aforementioned study undertaken by Spiceworks finding that 32% of the expected IT hardware purchases are for new desktop and laptop computers, businesses must ensure that their old machines are correctly cleared and disposed of.
As IT advisers TechRepublic discovered, these new purchases are forecast specifically within smaller businesses of 100 employees or less so, if your business falls into this category, you might want to consider the implications your company could face if you fail to adhere to this simple but essential process.
In Past Years
The failure to properly dispose of IT hardware securely can have severe consequences.
In 2013, NHS Surrey was hit with the eye-watering fine of £200,000 by data regulators after a massive data breach.
A second-hand computer used in the offices was sold on the popular auction website eBay containing the personal information of over 3,000 patients.
Implications resulted in the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) describing the situation as ‘truly shocking’, as ‘patients’ information was effectively being sold online’.
As of May 2018, the GDPR will come into effect, meaning that not only data but hardware and equipment is legally required to be disposed of safely.
Here at ICT Reverse, we specialise in asset management and are experts in the importance of secure data erasure. If you are still unsure about what your business should be doing, then give us a call! One of our friendly advisors can assist with any queries.