When most people think about managing IT assets like laptops, servers, printers, and mobile devices, their thoughts immediately go to the initial acquisition, deployment, and administration of that equipment throughout its useful life. Most people fail to consider just how important the latter stages of an IT asset’s lifecycle can be, though.
What happens to old hardware when it’s no longer fit for service at your company? Old hard drives, SSD devices, and memory chips may contain sensitive information. There was a time when many organizations simply sold or donated these items as-is; but the risks of that approach quickly became apparent. Clearly, the proper disposal of IT assets is a matter of security and compliance.
It’s not wise to simply discard those assets, either. Most IT equipment contains small amounts of toxic materials, contributing to potential problems if they’re simply dumped in a landfill. Reusing and recycling them is far better for the environment.
There is some good news, though. IT asset recovery services offer a set of proven methodologies for addressing both the security and environmental concerns associated with the disposal of computers and peripherals. Even better, they’re often able to recover some residual value from those assets, returning money to your bottom line.
What are Asset Recovery Services?
IT asset recovery services help businesses by managing the disposal or repurposing of outdated, surplus, or non-functional IT equipment in a way that is both secure and environmentally responsible.
The first step in the process is to securely destroy all remaining data. IT asset disposition (ITAD) companies have various methods for achieving this, ranging from secure erasure to hard-drive shredding. Next, they perform an asset valuation to assess the potential for resale, donation, or recycling the IT assets.
Finally, IT asset recovery companies may sell equipment that is still functional, or salvage usable parts from it. This enables their clients to recover some costs, as well as to extend the useful life of their IT assets. Any remaining parts may then be recycled or disposed of in an environmentally safe manner.
The Importance of Asset Recovery
IT asset recovery services provide value in three distinct ways; by adding financially to the bottom line, improving environmental sustainability, and ensuring security and compliance.
The financial benefits start with extending the useful life of existing IT assets. The best ITAD companies offer repair and refurbishment services, maintaining a stock of replacement parts to bring new life to IT equipment that still has some remaining utility.
When equipment can no longer serve the needs of your organization, IT asset recovery services companies will estimate its resale value and ensure that all data is fully destroyed before putting it on the market. Companies may also receive tax deductions and other benefits upon donating such equipment to charity.
IT asset recovery also has distinct environmental benefits. By safely recycling and repurposing electronic waste, ITAD services keep harmful substances such as lead and mercury out of landfills, where they can potentially contaminate soil and water. Extending the life of IT assets reduces the demand for new products, conserving the raw materials and energy required for manufacturing. By recovering valuable materials like metals, plastics, and glass from old electronics, ITAD services contribute to the circular economy, reducing our overall environmental impact.
Finally, IT asset recovery plays a critical role in data security and compliance. Rigorous data destruction protocols ensure that all confidential information stored within decommissioned or surplus IT equipment is thoroughly and irreversibly erased, thereby guaranteeing that it will not be accessed by unauthorized parties.
This element of asset recovery is particularly important for businesses that must comply with stringent privacy and security regulations such as GLBA, GDPR, NIST, and HIPAA. IT asset recovery services not only include technical destruction of data wiping but also offer documentation and certification of data destruction. In essence, asset recovery services offer a dual benefit: they protect sensitive data from unauthorized access and help businesses comply with laws and industry standards, thereby upholding their reputation and trustworthiness in an increasingly data-centric world.
Key Components of Asset Recovery Services
IT asset recovery services use various strategies for achieving the benefits described above. These are:
1. Data Destruction: This component ensures that all data is securely wiped from devices to protect sensitive information and maintain compliance with data protection laws.
2. Asset Valuation: In this stage, an IT asset recovery company assesses the value of unwanted equipment to determine if it can be resold, donated, or recycled.
3. Resale and Remarketing: Functional equipment is sold in secondary markets to recover costs and extend the useful life of the assets.
4. Recycling and Disposal: IT asset recovery services dispose of non-functional or obsolete equipment in environmentally sustainable ways.
5. Logistics and Transportation: ITAD companies receive and transport IT assets from the client’s site to the processing facility in secure vehicles, with GPS tracking, video surveillance, and other security measures.
6. Reporting and Documentation: Finally, the ITAD services company provides detailed reports on the disposition of each asset, for both recordkeeping and compliance purposes.
Challenges in Asset Recovery
IT asset recovery can be a complicated process. That’s why it has become a specialized discipline, best performed by companies that have deep experience in ITAD.
The process of collecting, transporting, and processing IT assets, for example, can be logistically challenging, especially for large organizations with multiple locations. Security and documentation are critical as well. It’s not enough to simply hand off your IT assets and trust that they will be processed properly.
One of the top challenges of IT asset recovery is ensuring that all confidential and sensitive data is completely destroyed. This involves employing sophisticated data wiping techniques and software to comply with stringent data protection regulations.
Adhering to environmental standards and regulations is also critical. This is complicated by the fact that many local and national jurisdictions each have their own set of environmental regulations.
The best IT asset recovery companies have well-tuned logistical processes and can certify their end-to-end chain of custody, from pickup to final disposition. They also understand the various security standards that apply to their clientele, as well as the environmental regulations that govern e-waste disposal. Perhaps most importantly, they have the technical expertise to ensure that sensitive data is completely destroyed.
Selecting the Right Asset Recovery Service Provider
Finding a reliable and experienced ITAD vendor is crucial. The vendor must not only have the technical capability to handle data destruction and asset disposal but also be knowledgeable about legal and environmental compliance. The challenge lies in vetting potential vendors to ensure they meet all necessary certifications and standards for safe and compliant IT asset recovery.
Don’t overlook the value of custom-tailored solutions and an outstanding reputation for customer service. Find out what a vendor’s current and past customers say about them. Outstanding references are usually a good indicator of future performance.
If you do business in multiple countries, it’s also important to look for a vendor with a global presence.
Trends and Future of Asset Recovery
IT asset recovery is gaining momentum, not only because of the financial benefit and attention to security, but also because of sustainability. Companies are striving to minimize their impact on the environment, focusing on measures that keep toxins out of our ecosystem and contribute to a circular economy. IT asset recovery helps to achieve that.
In fact, many experts predict that governments will increase their focus on regulations that support responsible stewardship of our natural environment. IT asset recovery is one way that companies can get ahead of the curve.
Conclusion
In today’s digital economy, IT asset recovery is a critical practice for businesses around the world, especially in industries such as healthcare and defense where it is required by law. In addition to playing a key role in data security, IT asset recovery can enhance a company’s profitability and contribute to its environmental sustainability goals.
NCS Global offers best-in-class IT asset recovery services for businesses globally, servicing clients in 29 countries. We’re proudly committed to service excellence, value maximization, outstanding professionalism and environmental sustainability. Want to learn more? Contact NCS Global to discuss your needs.Shred Smarter, not Harder.
