Why E-Waste Should Be Included in Your Company’s Cybersecurity Plan

Businesses depend on technology. Generally, companies upgrade their electronic and computer equipment every five years. Really, it’s necessary to keep up with business. Yet, staying current with technology generates the problem of e-waste.

Actually, this includes outdated, discarded drives and devices for which a company no longer needs. In fact, it’s crucial to dispose of e-waste properly. However, it’s not as simple as hauling old equipment to the dump.

Perhaps, you’ve disposed of computers and devices. These can still expose companies to cybersecurity risks. Thus, businesses need to set up a sensible routine for eliminating e-waste as part of their cybersecurity plan. 

Why Cybersecurity Plans Should Include E-Waste Management

Security Breaches Cost Money

Over the last four years, it’s estimated that 60% of companies have experienced some data breaches. In 2019, Risk Based Security claims hackers and cyber-criminals exposed 7.9 billion data records.

IBM says the total cost from a data breach is about $4 million. This includes investigation, fixes, PR control, litigation, and other expenses. Per experts, a quarter of these data breaches sprung from employee negligence. Of course, this is mostly due to the improper handling of e-waste. 

E-Waste Still Holds Private Information

Truthfully, discarded electronic equipment still contains confidential information. Often, mobile phones still have passwords saved to their core units. Additionally, old hard drives may hold customer data and sensitive documents.

Maybe, there’s something on the trash heap. However, that doesn’t mean it no longer poses a cybersecurity threat. That danger is very much alive, even with outdated products. 

Mere Wiping Isn’t Always Enough

Consider mass deletion and reformatting of drives and devices. Really, this makes data inaccessible to most common users. However, that doesn’t mean everything is effectively gone.

There have been studies on this subject. They show that up to 11% of deleted hard drives still hold information, much of it confidential. Thus, an experienced hacker can extract data from encrypted devices. Therefore, they could still hack enough information to pose a cyberthreat. 

E-Waste Solutions From ShredQuick

Accordingly, make e-waste a prime part of your cybersecurity strategy. ShredQuick has an e-waste elimination service. This includes complete data erasing, hard drive shredding, and computer recycling.

We guarantee our processes. We’ll destroy all the data on the devices you’re replacing. That, in turn, assures that all confidential data is entirely removed. This also protects your employees, partners, and customers. 

We offer services to manage e-waste across Florida. Click here for a list of our Florida service areas.

Computer Recycling

Our process for shredding and recycling desktop and laptop computers is guaranteed to destroy all sensitive information while also being safe for the environment.

To read more about our computer and media recycling services, click here to be directed to our computer recycling page.

Hard Drive and Media Destruction Services

Our hard drive and media destruction services ensure your information is kept secure. First, the data is erased. Then, we shred the device. As a result, there’s no chance of a data breach.

To read more about our hard drive destruction services, click here to be directed to our hard drive destruction page. 

Contact ShredQuick For A Complete Cybersecurity Plan

Call or submit a form on this page to speak to one of our e-waste management specialists. We’ll walk you through your options and provide you with a free quote upon request.

We are active in the secure destruction industry. We maintain the highest security standards for our services. ShredQuick has been awarded the he highest security rating, “AAA Certified” by the International Secure Information Governance & Management Association. 

Contact us today for more information or a free quote by filling in the contact form on this page or calling (866) 934-3300.