SEAM Services: 4 Questions to Ask an ITAD Expert

Businesses use customer data for almost everything they do — from building marketing funnels and writing sales scripts to creating products for clients. However, owners have a responsibility to protect that data from the time it enters their hands until all assets are destroyed.

Knowing this, business owners must take IT asset disposition seriously. That means hiring an experienced professional who can destroy or repurpose those assets safely and effectively.

Eventually, your equipment will reach the end of its lifecycle. When it does, there are four essential questions your North Dakota business should ask to ensure you hire a professional who gets it right the first time.

1. Do You Understand and Follow the Law?

The law mandates that businesses keep sensitive customer information secure even when it’s no longer in their hands. It’s therefore essential to ask your ITAD expert how their company handles regulatory compliance for your industry.

Your ITAD professional should understand HIPAA, FERPA, FISMA, FACTA, and GLBA requirements. Additionally, your ITAD expert should provide the following:

• End-to-end security, including device security bins to store assets awaiting pickup
• On-site shredding to destroy assets before they leave the premises
• Secure chain-of-custody tracking

Secure tracking is particularly important; it lets you know where those assets are and who has them at any given moment.

2. How Does Tracking and Reporting Work?

The first step is knowing that your chosen ITAD expert is well-versed in meeting regulatory compliance standards. Next, it’s important to ask how the company handles tracking and reporting for your digital assets.

There should be a detailed log matching each asset with its serial number. It’s best if you can access these reports digitally at your convenience. Once your items are destroyed, the ITAD company should also provide you with certificates of destruction.

3. How Do You Stay Committed to Protecting the Environment?

Instead of destroying every asset, your ITAD provider should be looking toward value recovery. This means considering how they can refurbish, redeploy, remarket, or recycle assets in good condition.

It’s important to remember that all electronics are recyclable, but only 20 percent of e-waste is ever actually recycled. For that reason, you should ask your ITAD expert about what they do to help the environment.

It’s possible that the company uses downstream recycling partners. In those cases, it’s a good idea to ask whether they’re willing to share how they audit their partners for adherence to data security and environmental safety standards.

4. What Industry Certifications Does Your Business Hold?

Certification programs often have rigorous standards that ITAD professionals must meet to obtain accreditation. At the very least, they should possess the following:

• NAID AAA Certification
• R2 (Responsible Recycling) Certification
• e-Stewards Certification
• ISO 14001, 45001, and 9001 Certifications

Knowing that your ITAD partner has secured these certifications ensures that they know what they’re doing and have the knowledge it takes to protect both your assets and the environment.

Choosing the Right ITAD Partner Is a Must

The ITAD expert you choose will significantly impact your company’s ability to serve customers while remaining in regulatory compliance. If you need ITAD services in North or South Dakota, our experienced team at Secure Enterprise Asset Management can help.

We offer business owners a full range of services, including on- and off-site shredding, electronics recycling, and data center decommissioning. Our focus is always on maximum value recovery and end-to-end security. We complete every job with compliance in mind.

Contact us today to learn how to dispose of your digital assets while protecting your business at every turn.