Why You Should Choose Data Wiping

When it comes to data destruction, there’s no surer way to eliminate all risk of a data breach and identity theft than shredding hard drives and devices.  However, you should know that wiping data, when done properly, will comply with consumer privacy laws, as well as stricter industry regulations related to medical, financial, and other highly sensitive data.

In case you didn’t know, there are actually several forms of data wiping.  While a single data wipe, in which existing data is overwritten by junk data (i.e. ones, zeros, or a random character) typically isn’t considered good enough to meet legal obligations, you can undertake a three-pass or even seven-pass process that will comply with privacy laws.

The question is, why would your North Dakota business choose this option instead of having IT equipment shredded and recycled?  There are a couple of very important reasons you may want to consider data wiping.

Costs

As a responsible business owner, you always need to consider the bottom line, whether you’re negotiating with suppliers or partnering with a certified ITAD service provider.  Data wiping is financially attractive for a couple of reasons.

First, it typically costs less than physically destroying equipment through an industrial shredding process.  This may not apply if you choose a lengthy and intensive form of wiping like a seven-pass process, but generally, you stand to save some money when you choose to wipe over shredding, and if you do it right, you’ll remain in compliance with applicable privacy laws and industry regulations.

In addition, wiping could allow you to recoup some of the initial expense of purchasing pricy IT equipment, offsetting the cost of upgrading to new equipment.  When you eliminate all existing data, there’s nothing to stop you from refurbishing and remarketing still-usable IT equipment.  As long as the equipment you’re selling isn’t too outdated, you could get some money back by selling it.

Of course, you could also cut costs significantly by simply reusing your own devices.  When employees turn in company-owned IT equipment like computers, laptops, and mobile devices, there’s no need to shred it.  Simply have it wiped so you can remove all previous data and permissions and pass it along to a new employee.  This will save you the cost of both shredding and purchasing new equipment.

Protect the Environment

Although finances are naturally of great concern to any business, there’s another good reason to consider wiping instead of shredding: environmental concerns.  If you choose a certified ITAD service provider that submits to oversight by renowned organizations like e-Stewards, you know that shredded devices are going to be properly recycled, in keeping with environmental standards.

However, giving your devices a second life through remarketing does, even more, ensuring that zero waste goes to the landfill.  Not only will you get some money back through remarketing, but you can do even more for the environment than you would through standard recycling.

Data wiping isn’t right for every North Dakota business, but if you’re interested in the financial and environmental benefits associated with this form of data destruction, contact the qualified professionals at SEAM today at 605-274-7326 (SEAM) or online to learn more and request a quote.