Technology is at the heart of a business. Almost all organisations regardless of their size, rely on their IT assets to carry out their day-to-day operations. The only problem with this reliance is when the IT equipment becomes worn and, consequently, obsolete, these businesses are faced with the difficult task of disposing of them. 

IT disposal can be a tricky business. Firstly, due to the strict rules and regulations surrounding waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE). Within the current European rules, organisations are obligated to adhere to the guidelines which promote the re-use and recycling of old IT assets.

Secondly, IT disposal can raise alarm bells surrounding data security. If old IT devices were to get into the wrong hands, and data was stolen or compromised, a company can come under strict sanctions through GDPR. Not to mention how damaging such a breach would be for an organisations reputation. 

However, at Global EMEA, we can help you wipe your IT hard drives, with 100% certainty — allowing your business to recycle and redeploy your IT equipment safely. Read on to find out more about the safe and secure disposal of your business’ IT assets.

Security Benefits

Nowadays, simply deleting your business’ retired laptops and desktop computers is not enough. Performing a factory reset cannot guarantee the deletion of all your secure data.

Many believe that reinstalling an operating system or formatting a hard drive will remove all of your data off a device, but this is not the case. Deleting your files and folders, rewriting a system, or carrying out a factory reset does not guarantee that your data cannot be recovered and reinstalled when you retire a device.

Through a few widely-available tools, your ‘deleted’ data is still easily accessible. But how is this recovery possible?

The methods you use to delete your data will only affect the directory reference to the data. These methods mean your data may no longer be visible on your device, but that does not mean it is not lurking within the hard drive of your computer. This obscured information is commonly known as data remanence.

Suppose your business decides to repurpose or recycle a computer. In that case, all hard drives must be wiped to a Government-level, Department of Defence (DOD) approved security standard. And, this is where Global EMEA can assist you. 

Throughout data-deletion methods and certified erasure standards, we can provide your business with the assurance you deserve when retiring your IT assets. Our service can advance your information security strategy, allowing your company to stay true to your privacy policies and keep all your information safe.

Due to the technological age, effective information destructive practices are a necessary part of business; saving you valuable time and money, and helping to protect your business from breaches in GDPR.

Environmental Benefits

There are also environmental benefits when it comes to the repurposing of IT assets. By opting to reuse and recycle your IT assets, your business can have a positive effect on the e-waste crisis that is harming the environment. 

The e-waste crisis is accelerating on a global scale with the rising numbers of discarded laptops, computers, mobile phones being thrown away every year. 

IT equipment is known to contain lithium in their batteries, which is extremely dangerous to handlers. When these electronics are improperly disposed of and burned, the toxic chemicals are released into the atmosphere infiltrating into the soil and groundwater. These chemicals are having a detrimental effect on the area and the people living there. 

With our help, companies can confidently remove all of the data on an old device, allowing them to wipe the hard drive and redeploy the equipment to another department. In doing so, your business can avoid harming the environment, which would have positive implications on the reputation of your brand.

Moreover, your company can also be sure that they are not in breach of any European WEEE regulations. At Global EMEA, we ensure compliance with every regulation. We provide all the documentation your business needs to prove your commitment to sustainability and high environmental standards.

In instances when an IT asset cannot be redeployed to another part of the business, we can help guide you through the recycling process. As electrical goods contain hazardous chemical and precious metals, we will ensure all data is completely erased, before recoverable components are preserved for spaces or reuse. All of our actions are fully tracked and transparent.

Trusted IT Disposal 

We are proud to have an EMEA partnership with WhiteCanyon Software Incorporation, a leading provider of security software. Our partnership enables us to distribute and support the world’s most certified data erasure software. WipeDrive is the market leader in secure data destruction. Find out more today. 

For more information about how Global EMEA can help your business dispose of your IT assets safely and sustainably, get in touch with us today. Contact one of our sales representatives directly on 0345 340 3105 or request a trial on our website today.