Why It’s Important to Track Your IT Assets Through the Disposition Process

By: Levi Hentges , Vice President/Business Development, SEAM

If your business manages sensitive data, you understand the critical importance of securing both the information and the devices that hold it. This is why investing in professional IT asset disposition (ITAD) services is a priority.

However, simply paying for data destruction or recycling isn’t enough. You need proof—reliable tracking and reporting that your data and assets have been managed securely from start to finish.

Here’s why asset tracking should be a non-negotiable part of your ITAD strategy:

Data Security

The average cost of a data breach in the U.S. is a staggering $9.4 million, according to IBM. A good portion of these breaches result from compromised physical security and lost devices. For South Dakota businesses, it’s crucial to ensure data security throughout the entire ITAD process.

With comprehensive tracking, you can confidently secure your data and pass that assurance on to your customers, building greater trust in your brand.

Regulatory Compliance

Data security compliance laws exist for virtually every business and government sector, including healthcare, education, financial services, and retail.

Laws like the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), the Fair and Accurate Credit Transaction Act (FACTA), and the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) require extensive measures to keep data safe.

Businesses that don’t follow these rules can incur serious fines and penalties. Having readily available tracking data keeps your business in line with the law and allows you to avoid the expense of non-compliance.

Proving Sustainability

Sustainability is more than a corporate trend—it reflects a commitment to environmental and social responsibility. When you partner with an ITAD provider with Responsible Recycling (R2) and e-Stewards certifications, you demonstrate that your business prioritizes both environmental protection and worker safety.

With asset-tracking reports as proof, you can reinforce your commitment to corporate social responsibility, making your business more appealing to customers, investors, and your broader community.

Robust Asset Tracking Brings Peace of Mind

Perhaps the most significant benefit of tracking your IT assets through the disposition process is that you’ll have peace of mind about your business.

When you know you’ve done the right thing for your customers (and compliance watchdogs), you can worry less about breaches and penalties and shift your focus to providing the excellent products and services your business is known for.

At SEAM in Sioux Falls, we provide business owners with detailed, serial number-based chain-of-custody reports and certificates of destruction for all assets, backed by our third-party industry certifications.

Contact SEAM today to learn more about our comprehensive asset-tracking solutions and how we give businesses across South Dakota and beyond the confidence they need to trust that their data is safe every step of the way.

Levi Hentges is the Vice President/Business Development at SEAM. He helps clients build and manage their IT Asset Disposition (ITAD) programs to comply with legal, corporate and environmental requirements surrounding their technology devices; including asset recovery and resale, data destruction and secure electronics recycling.