IT asset disposition is an important facet of modern business. Organizations must know how to get rid of data, hardware, software and systems without allowing information to be compromised. Various companies across different industries must use the best and most cost effective practices for getting rid of outdated or old equipment.
Much of this equipment includes include computers, hard disks or drives, and other storage devices. It could also include monitors, televisions, audio and stereo equipment, VCRs, DVD players, video cameras, telephones, facsimiles, copying machines, cellular phones, wireless devices and video game consoles.
Companies often get rid of this equipment when the need arises. Their concerns related to mobile equipment and data has to do with the best practices they will need to use to get rid of these items. Mobile devices can be refurbished, sold off in parts or completely recycled.
Many businesses have to change out their technology at least once every 5 years. However, there are some organizations that must switch technology between 2 and 4 years. These organizations have to frequently get rid of equipment and to update software for mobile devices.
Mobile devices in regards to IT disposition poses a more complex problem. Individuals who are knowledgeable can readily strip the units of their valuable information. Most businesses who change out their old technology tend to wipe mobile devices clean. They can do this by erasing the data with special equipment or by resetting the device. Once this takes place, the device usually does not have any type of data on them.
The bigger issue with asset disposition has to do with customer security. All businesses need customers to survive. So, millions of customers have their data stored on company equipment. If a company does not take the time to thoroughly clean this information these individuals can be easily compromised. Remember, just because a device is old and has been sitting around for a while does not mean that there is no remaining information stored on it.
A company must make sure that they are taking the necessary protocols and following the law in regard to asset disposition. Companies that do not take this practice seriously, could end up having a security breach nightmare on their hand. This is especially true for mobile devices.
Outdated mobile devices should be disposed of in a proper way. There are companies that specialize in this type of service. However, each organization should make it a point to clean their outdated mobile equipment before they get rid of it. This way, an outside organization does not have access to information that they are clearing from a device. Once again, unscrupulous companies or individuals can get ahold of this information and perform illegal or unethical activities with it.
Companies should also make sure that their employees turn in all of their company related mobile devices. An organization should keep track of the mobile devices that they pass out to employees. This way, they can get back all outdated mobile equipment before upgrading to a new model. Mobile IT asset disposition should be performed periodically or whenever a company needs to update their mobile technology.
