A few things to consider when implementing hard drive destruction that takes privacy and the environment into account.
By Joe Caradonna
Properly disposing of important documents and electronics is an important security step for any business. Firms request the services of document shredding companies on a regular basis and companies that do the job properly will dispose of your information in a secure and environmentally friendly manner.
Secure document shredding companies take privacy and the environment seriously, which is why they should ethically recycle any of the documents destroyed. Recently, we started a hard drive destruction service, and when we implemented the new service we wanted to ensure that we were able to recycle these hard drives the proper way. Here are a few things to consider when implementing hard drive destruction that takes privacy and the environment into account.
Work with Companies Licensed by NAID
The main reason firms hire someone to securely destroy their hard drives is to protect their data. If you are not protecting your client’s personal information every step of the way, then you are not doing your job. This means that the recycling company you use must also protect your client’s data.
You should not recycle destructed hard drives with a company that lacks certification by the National Association for Information Destruction (NAID). NAID AAA certification is key to ensuring your client’s hard drive is being recycled with the protection of your information in mind. Data security is a top issue in the business world and firms are always looking to work with companies that take the prevention of data theft seriously.
Recycling hard drives and other electronics is not the same as disposing of cardboard. Not every recycler is equipped to go through the process of protecting your electronic information after you have sent it to be recycled. An NAID recycler regularly receives independent audits of their data destruction policy, ensuring that clients’ data is safe. If you are looking to get into the hard drive destruction business, you have to make sure the processors you work with have as much of a commitment to protecting sensitive data as you do.
Buy the Right Equipment
Before you can find someone to securely recycle your electronics, you need to make sure you have the proper equipment to properly destroy a hard drive so it can be properly
recycled and impossible to mine for data.
The most important thing you will need is a hard drive shredder. A hard drive that goes through a shredder is being completely destroyed and cannot be resold. You can then recycle nearly 100 percent of the metal recovered from the shredder. Hard drives contain aluminum, copper, lead, zinc and also have a tiny amount of precious metals such as silver or gold.
You will want to buy a shredder that can shred both hard drives and SSDs. Hard drives are still more commonplace in any office, but SSDs are becoming more frequently used. A shredder that can properly destroy both storage devices will help make recycling and data protection easier.
You may need to upgrade your electrical panel to deal with the extra power of the machine. Consider investing in a mobile generator, so you can bring your hard drive services to the client’s office.
Seek Out Recyclers Who Self-Reflect
Licensed NAID recyclers will receive a yearly audit from the association, but good recycling firms will also audit themselves for quality assurance. I would recommend recycling your hard drives with a recycling company that conducts regular self audits.
A vendor willing to self audit is a vendor who is objectively trying to find successes, find failures and improve their processes. An ethical recycler wants to account for every piece of electronic material you and their clients give them. A vendor who self-audits is one you want to work with.
Protecting Privacy and the Environment
Implementing a hard drive destruction service can be a real boon to any document destruction company, but it is imperative that you start that service with privacy protection and the environment in mind. Your company as well as any recycling company you work with should be licensed by the NAID. Work with recyclers who are committed to improving the process. The good ones will self audit. Lastly, it is imperative that you buy the right equipment that can shred all forms of storage devices. A hard drive and an SSD serve the same function, but they are destroyed in different ways. Following these steps will ensure you have hard drive destruction service that will protect client privacy while also protecting the environment. | WA
Joe Caradonna is the owner of ProShred Arizona, a secure document shredding service helping businesses safeguard their private information. Joe and his wife Patty have owned ProShred franchisees since 2012. For more information on ProShred Arizona, call (480) 427-2733 or visit www.proshred.com/greater-phoenix.
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