Data Centre Decommissioning

Why data centre decommissioning is essential

As technology continues to evolve at a rapid pace, IT professionals need to know when and how to decommission their data centre. Whether you’re upgrading your current infrastructure or moving your operations to the cloud, proper decommissioning is crucial for security and efficiency.

Decommissioning data centres securely is crucial for several reasons, particularly in terms of data protection, legal compliance and business continuity. Here's why it's important:

1. Data Protection

Data centres store large amounts of sensitive information, including personal data, financial records, intellectual property, and customer information. If this data is not securely erased during decommissioning, it could be exposed, leading to data breaches. Properly destroying or sanitizing data storage devices (like hard drives and servers) ensures that sensitive data is permanently erased and unrecoverable.

2. Legal and Regulatory Compliance

Failure to comply with regulations such as GDPR can lead to severe fines and a damaged reputation. Secure data centre decommissioning and data destruction methods will help to avoid this.

3. Protecting Business Reputation

Data breaches or improper data handling during data centre decommissioning can significantly damage a company's reputation. Secure data centre decommissioning processes demonstrate responsibility and provide peace of mind.

4. Risk Mitigation

Even if equipment is being reused or repurposed within an organization, there’s still a risk that old data could be unintentionally accessed. Secure decommissioning ensures that the risk of data being accidentally exposed, either internally or externally, is mitigated.

5. Asset Management

Data centre decommissioning allows businesses to keep track of their IT assets. It includes inventory management and tracking for each asset so organisations know what has been re-used, recycled etc.

6 . Environmental Responsibility

Secure disposal practices also include ensuring that harmful materials are not improperly handled, thus avoiding environmental damage and legal liabilities.

What we can process as part of data centre decommissioning?

• Servers
• Storage systems and devices (HDDs, SSDs and other storage devices)
• Networking gear
• Computer tapes
• Racking

ICT Reverse: Your trusted partner for data centre decommissioning and recycling

We specialise in providing corporate data centre recycling services for a wide range of businesses. ICT Reverse is one of the largest and most trusted data centre recycling providers and offers services across the UK, Greater London and Europe.

We offer data centre decommissioning, recycling and strip-out services for businesses of all sizes.

What types of data centres can we recycle?

We have 20 years' experience of data centre projects working across all industries including finance, research & development, manufacturing, public services, corporate and education.

Our services include:

• Data centre decommissioning
• Office commissioning
• Relocation
• Drop ship/delivery
• Asset inventory catalogue
• PAT testing
• Redeployment

How does a data centre decommissioning and recycling process work?

• Assessment and planning

ICT Reverse provides complete IT asset audit tracking and IT disposition services to support data centre decommissioning or upgrades. This includes the systematic disposition of retired data centre IT assets. Our dedicated account managers will coordinate the entire disposition project and ensure that all assets are properly recorded and tracked and all digital data is erased.

• Secure collection and transportation of devices

We will arrange a secure collection of your data centre IT equipment on a date and time convenient to you. At this stage, your order will be allocated a unique reference known as an (AAR). Once collected and returned to our approved, authorised, treatment facility (AATF) the data bearing items will be segregated into non-hazardous and hazardous WEEE (waste electrical and electronic equipment).

• Comprehensive data centre wiping and destruction

The technical process will then vary depending on the product type and customer requirements. In most cases, a data erasure process is performed to all data bearing assets using Blancco software. Any items that fail the data erasure process are removed and destroyed using the crusher or shredder.

• Verification and certification

Following the process, you will receive a full Due Diligence Pack including all the necessary certifications to demonstrate that you comply with the latest legislation in the event of an Environmental Audit. This includes a Duty of Care Waste Transfer Certificate, Asset Audit Report, Recovery Certificate, Blancco Report (if applicable) & Data Destruction Certificate (if applicable).

Business data centre recycling compliance, standards and certifications with ICT Reverse

In the world of secure reverse logistics and data centre decommissioning , achieving and maintaining accreditation is of paramount importance. It signifies our unwavering commitment to delivering the highest standards of quality and security. At ICT Reverse, we go to great lengths to obtain and uphold a comprehensive array of certifications and approvals, ensuring that our operations not only meet but exceed the stringent requirements of this industry. These include:

• Environmental Waste Permit
• Waste Carrier Licence
• ADISA Standard 8.0 Certification with Distinction
• AATF
• ISO 9001 & ISO 14001 Accreditation
• ISO 27001 Accreditation
• ICO Data Protection Registration
• Cyber Essentials Plus Certificate
• Safe Contractor/Safe PQQ
• Employers Liability Insurance
• Professional Indemnity Insurance
• Fleet Insurance
• Operator Competence Certificate

Corporate data centre recycling FAQ's

• How does ICT Reverse ensure data security during the data centre decommissioning process?

ICT Reverse uses certified data wiping and destruction techniques to ensure that all sensitive information is securely erased before recycling devices.

• Are ICT Reverse's data centre decommissioning services compliant with industry standards?

Yes - ICT Reverse adheres to all relevant industry standards and regulations, ensuring that our recycling services meet the highest levels of compliance and security.

• How can my company start the data centre decommissioning and recycling process with ICT Reverse?

Simply contact us today by phone 01524 580900 or complete an enquiry form. One of our experienced account managers will discuss your needs and provide a tailored solution that includes secure collection, data destruction and recycling services.

• Can ICT Reverse provide customised data centre decommissioning plans?

Yes, our experts will worth with you to create a 'data centre decommissioning plan' and work with you to get the best process in place that meets your business requirements.