Don't Get Stressed Over Destroying Old Unwanted Computer Equipment - Confidential Shredding Experts
These days confidential information does not have to be printed out in black and white for it to be at risk of escaping into the public domain.
Data of all kinds is now stored on company computers, information that relates to your own company, business associates and private customers.
So even if you have gone to the trouble of shredding every single piece of waste paper in the office, your business could still become prey to fraudsters if you don't take care to ensure that IT equipment is also disposed off securely once its lease of life is over.
Professionals can advise on the correct procedures to set up to ensure that every piece of old and unwanted IT equipment is efficiently destroyed and that all the information it once contained within its hard-drive is purged so that it can never be accessed again.
The proper destruction of computers and associated high-tech gadgetry is something which should only be undertaken by experts in the field.
Simply deleting files, removing software or erasing items from the hard-drive is not good enough. Those with sufficient IT experience can quickly find and reinstate such 'deleted' files and access key items of information, which they can then sell to fraudsters or use themselves for illegitimate purposes.
Identity fraud is now big business and you do not want your business to become a part of it.
To ensure the total destruction of all IT equipment - the safest and most secure method of ensuring there is no possibility of the information being reconfigured - it is best to recruit a specialist firm to do the job.
They will, of course, charge for the service, but the pay-off in terms of peace of mind for both yourself and your customers will be worth the fee. Most firms which specialise in the secure destruction of IT equipment, electronic storage devices, mobile phones, laptops, and blackberries, will give free quotes as to how much the service will cost you.
They often also provide total packages - including confidential shredding of paper documentation, as well as the destruction of hardware.
For businesses, with several offices around the UK, it is worth checking out one of the larger operations with regional depots. This would mean that all your waste is dealt with by the same company, rather than being handled by several operators in different regions.
Look for a firm of a scale to meet your needs, several have large fleets of mobile destruction vehicles, so they can visit your offices at a time to suit you and to cause the least disruption to your company.
Reputable firms will also be able to offer assurances that their staff have been security checked and a guarantee all materials will be completely destroyed in accordance with strict guidelines drawn up by the British Security Industry Association (BSIA). Look for a service provider which is a member of the BSIA - all association members comply with the Data Protection Act in their operations, and the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive which came into force in January 2007.
Ask for full details of how equipment will be destroyed, and where any materials will be recycled. Ensure that they are capable of destroying all types of IT equipment including mobile devices, memory sticks, DVDs, CDS, tapes and data media, as well as all formats of hard drives.
by: Owain Pryce