We all know that sadly, technology does not last forever. Especially today, in the world of technology upgrades, there has never been a time in which this has been more true. Because of this, it definitely makes sense for businesses to have a plan in place for when they will need to replace their older devices. This should include the proper disposal of old devices which is a practice that can make or break your business and lead to devastating privacy concerns. Let’s go over how to properly dispose of old tech and why you might want to work with trusted technology professionals to do so.
It’s Good for the Environment
The first thing you will want to think about is the environmental impact your technology could have. Throwing away devices will normally have them shipped to a landfill somewhere where it will sit for a very long time, if not forever. Devices like these are made with parts that contain precious metals and hazardous and harmful materials that can damage the earth. Isn’t this a total waste? Especially if some of the parts of your computer are still working and could be repurposed? There are much better ways to get rid of your devices. When you work with a managed service provider to get rid of your devices, they can see if the parts can be repurposed or donated and they can also make sure the device is properly wiped. This leads us to our next topic.
Data Privacy is Critical
When you get rid of old devices, instead of just throwing them away, you need to make sure that they are properly wiped. If you improperly dispose of your devices, they could still hold sensitive security information that could be used against your company. This may seem like something crazy that wouldn’t actually happen, but it definitely has. Morgan Stanley was fined around $60 million in 2020 for not wiping its devices before getting rid of them.
But, deleting files is not enough. You will want to work with a professional to make sure there are no traces of data remaining on your devices.
Understand Your Technology’s End of Life Timeline
In today’s world, we are constantly replacing our devices. This also often happened prematurely. Once the newest device comes out, everyone tends to ditch their older devices in favor of the new ones. This means that individuals and even companies are implementing new technology and getting rid of old devices that work completely fine.
On the opposite end of this spectrum, other businesses try to use their devices to the very last minute, until they are hardly working anymore. This can be dangerous because older devices might not be able to update their operating systems or install applications that are necessary. This can let hackers in easily. But, you will need to replace them at some point. How can you know how to properly dispose of old tech?
We recommend giving MyTek a call today so we can help you learn how to properly dispose of old tech. Our technicians know exactly how to wipe all of your data and how to make sure that your devices can be reused and recycled. Call us today at 623-312-2444.