How to Ensure Data Security during Computer Recycling

The time may come when you may want to recycle those computers and electronic devices you are not using again in your workplace. Some of the unused electronic devices may include computers or other computer products like laptops, mice, keyboards, CPUs as well as monitors; television; printers, copiers, ink cartridges, copiers; fax machines,; scanners and so on. These things may be obsolete already or you have just switched to a more functional one and will like to do away with the old ones instead of just leaving them to occupy very precious space in the office environment. Recycling them will help save space and will also remove electronic waste. However, make sure you only work with reputable recycling companies that can assure you of complete data security when the recycling is being carried out.  

 

If the truth must be told, not all recycling companies can be relied on. Yes, these things are a waste to you, but that does not mean you should just give them to any recycling company that comes knocking at your door. Some of them may actually have ulterior motives for coming for those electronic wastes in your office or home.  Many of them may not be able to give you the assurance of data security, but the reputable ones among them equally ensure security of your data as they are helping with the electronic recycling. 

The right recycling company to work with is one that will give you 100% assurance that they will equally destroy the data on your hard drive as they are carrying out the destruction of the hard disk.  If there is no such assurance, do not give them the job at all. Some of them may want to extract the information in that old hard drive and they can use that to perpetrate foul acts against your company. To lure you into giving them your obsolete computers for recycling, some of the recycling businesses can even promise to pay you for helping you with the electronic wastes recycling.  It is not entirely safe to listen to them.  Do your due diligence to investigate them before giving the task to them. Find out if they will ensure data security or not before you trust them. 

Any outlet carrying out the electronic recycling on your computers or computer parts must follow the NIST data destruction recommendations for information security. Conduct a simple investigation on the outlet to find out if they are in compliance with this recommendation or not. If there had been instances in the past when they failed to comply, then it will not be safe to hand over your obsolete computers to them for obvious reasons.  With careful choice, you will not suffer from data theft that can expose your company to danger. You may want to read up reviews about the recycling outlet before you ever give them the job. Most of these reviews are written by past clients. Make sure the recycling company has 100% compliance with the NIST data destruction recommendation before you ever hand your computers over to them.