Factors to Consider When Choosing an ITAD Partner

With the prevalence of data breaches affecting companies ranging from mega-corporations to mom-and-pop shops, you are no doubt well aware of the need for appropriate IT asset disposition, or ITAD.  While you can try to manage this on your own, the truth is you’ll waste a lot of time and money trying to keep up with changing standards and privacy laws.

You’re much better off choosing a certified ITAD service provider that is equipped to handle these concerns on behalf of your North Dakota or South Dakota business.  How can you choose a partner that will keep your company and your customers safe from data breach and identity theft?  Here are a few important factors to consider.

Legal Compliance

The first thing you’ll want to look for in an ITAD partner is a company that is capable of helping you to remain in compliance with all applicable environmental and consumer privacy laws.  Depending on the type of business you operate, you may have to comply with laws at the federal, state, and local level, not to mention industry regulations that impose even stricter standards for medical, financial, or other highly confidential data.

Keeping up with changing laws and regulations could require significant time and resources that you simply don’t have to spare.  You need a reliable ITAD partner that can manage these concerns for you.

Certifications

It’s not always easy to tell if an ITAD provider is just telling you what you want to hear.  How do you know for sure that the company you partner with is disposing of your sensitive data in a legal and ethical manner?

The best way to gain peace of mind is by asking about certifications.  At the very least, the company you choose should be certified to R2 and e-Stewards, which ensure data security and safe recycling of used electronics, as well as certifications for worker health and safety and quality processes like ISO 45001 to ensure they really care about what they’re doing.

Transparency

Even with certifications and oversight, you’ll want to make sure you have some transparency, and the best option asset based reports. Many providers offer portals where you can download reports and track your devices by serial number.  With Certificates of Destruction and Recycling, you’ll have proof of destruction for your records.

IT Asset Management

Now that you know the partner you’ve selected is on the up-and-up, you need to make sure the services meet your needs.  IT asset disposition deals with the destruction of IT assets, but what about the life cycle of devices up to that point?  With proper IT asset management, you can devise strategies for updating and turning over devices to reduce risks, increase efficiency, and minimize costs.

Remarketing

Shredding hard drives and other electronic devices is widely considered the safest way to destroy data, but there is another option.  With comprehensive wiping and sanitization services, your provider can refurbish still-usable devices and resell them to recoup some of your cost, while remaining in compliance with applicable privacy laws.

If you’re looking for a reliable and certified ITAD service provider to partner with, contact SEAM today at 605-274-7326 (SEAM) or online to request a quote.