Disposing of your old computers legally and securely

Disposing of your old computers legally and securely

Domestic users can take their redundant computers to the local Council recycling centre to ensure it is properly disposed of, but equally important is to make sure the data contained on old computers is destroyed fully so that nobody can access your personal data; use a certified data destruction company to get your hard drive destroyed before the computer leaves your possession.

Most businesses need to comply with the Data Protection Act, and Principle 7 states that measures shall be taken against accidental loss of personal data this is especially important when disposing of old IT equipment. Businesses also need to make sure their customer data, operating procedures and company secrets do not fall into their competitors' hands.

There are two main situations that require secure disposal of redundant computers; redundant computers lying around or in storage, and when the office computers are being upgraded.

Computers that are lying around stored in the spare office or in a cupboard might be out of sight and out of mind, but they can contain a massive amount of sensitive information. Often these computers are not secured, not on any asset lists and pose a huge threat to corporate security. Someone somewhere in the office might know where they came from and what data they contain but what happens when they leave the company? You're left with a pile of computers and nobody knows what data is on them, where they came from or who used them. The data on these computers needs destroyed before they leave your building, and it needs done sooner rather than later don't wait until there is a security incident before doing something about it.

Another time when computer disposal comes to light is when a company replaces or upgrades their IT equipment. This can be done by someone from within the company who knows a bit about computers computers can be inexpensive to buy and someone is always happy to have a go at connecting them together. This is all well and good, but what happens to the old computers do they end up in the cupboard or at the back of the store room?

Businesses might get an IT Services company in to upgrade their computers but what happens to the redundant computers? Is the IT company legally able to take them away (are they registered with the Environment Agency/SEPA, and will you be given a Waste Transfer Certificate to prove you disposed of it properly?), will the data on them ever be destroyed? How can you be sure it has been destroyed and will you be provided with a Certificate of Destruction to prove this?

The best way to securely dispose of these redundant computers is to engage a specialist company to deal with it all. One visit is all it takes to get rid of the problem of the redundant IT equipment you have lying around better for your company and better for the environment.

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