Data is Important
Especially in today’s world, where every bit of information is online. Photos, health information, credit cards, and now, facial features. All these pieces of information are located on our devices. But as time goes on, new devices get released and the older ones get slower and more obsolete. As a result, many older devices get replaced by newer devices, meaning those older devices are then ignored or even thrown out. However, throwing it out does not mean that the data on those devices are gone. It is crucial that when a person throws away their device that they know to sanitize the device, meaning to get rid of all the data on it. If devices are recycled or thrown away improperly, then there is a chance that the data could end up in the wrong hands.
The consequences of data landing in the wrong hands
Oftentimes this results in identity theft and other cybercrimes as a result of personal information being stolen. Even if a device has been sent to the recycling bin does not mean it has been thrown away. All that data is still suspect to a data breach in order to prevent that information from falling into the hands of cybercriminals. This is why it is important that people know the importance of properly disposing of devices with data on them, because a lot of data is easily scavenged if carelessly disposed of. IBM states that stolen credentials from data breaches have cost the US 4.5 million dollars alone. It shows the amount of money lost from stolen credentials alone, and how it could lead to major financial losses.
Ensuring data protection during E-waste Recycling
In order to be certain that a device no longer contains information in any of its drives, there are some methods to do so. In some cases, it is best to bring the device to a recycling facility and let them do all the dissembling and erasing. Many of the more professional firms will have security experts to ensure that the data is gone. There are other ways that a person can make sure data gets erased. An individual can go out to buy a bulk data wiping device and physically connect the two to get the job done. There is a way that is known to be viable options for data destruction:
Overwriting is the process of replacing the old data with new data. Because data runs on 0’s and 1’s, it’s possible to rewrite that data and replace it with random patterns of 0’s and 1’s, effectively getting rid of the old data. This process may take a while depending on the size of the drive. However, one must make sure that the hard drive itself is not damaged and new data can still be written on it.
However, the best way to do so is to find a place that will recycle. These places have a secure and documented process developed by the ISO or the International Organization for Standardization. This means that they have the ability to handle devices with data and are able to provide services that meet the needs of the individual. These places know how to dispose data in a way that is secure and will be healthy for the environment because of the standards developed, keeping your data and the environment safe.
