Upgrading your tech is exciting. The disposal of IT assets? Not so much. Most companies focus on identifying and procuring the latest and greatest in tech but often fail to realize that outdated computers, laptops, servers, mobile devices, and printers can become significant liabilities if not properly handled. From data breaches to regulatory fines, improper electronic waste disposal risks are bigger than you think—and they’re growing.

💣 Retired Devices Still Contain Dangerous and Sometimes Hidden Data

Just because a device is now offline doesn’t mean it’s no longer a data breach risk. Hard drives, SSDs, and storage media still house sensitive data, even after files are “deleted” or a device is restored with a factory reset.   Hackers know this. So do dark web resellers. And they’re betting your disposal process isn’t airtight. 29% of data breaches are tied to misconfigured or improperly decommissioned assets and sometimes even missed data storage devices.

Simply reformatting a drive isn’t enough. Without professional hard drive destruction services or data sanitization, residual information can be recovered and weaponized, even on factory reset devices. Selling your retired computers and devices on eBay may be a tempting way to deal with your IT assets that are no longer in use, but the dangers are very real, and your devices are not safe with just a factory reset, 

🧠 Fact: According to a Blancco Technology Group and Kroll Ontrack study, 57 percent of used mobile devices and 75 percent of used drives purchased from Amazon, eBay, and Gazelle contain residual data.

 

Your Intellectual Property Could Be at Risk

Those “old” devices might still contain:

• Trade secrets
• Source code
• Product plans
• Internal emails and contracts

One improperly disposed hard drive can lead to corporate espionage, lawsuits, or a loss of competitive advantage, making hard drive shredding and secure destruction critical, not optional.

🧠 Fact: 47% of U.S. businesses have experienced data breaches, and improperly disposed devices are often the root cause.

⚖️ Compliance Doesn’t End at Retirement

Regulations like HIPAA, The Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act, SOX, and HITECH require secure disposal of data and IT assets. A proper IT asset disposition (ITAD) program isn’t just best practice; it’s legally essential.

Fail to comply? You’re looking at:

• Fines, potentially in the millions.  
• Lawsuits 
• Loss of trust from customers and partners/ Long-term reputational damage

Compliance doesn’t end when a device leaves the desk—it ends when a certificate of destruction verifies that it has been destroyed or sanitized to NIST 800-88 compliance standards.  

♻️ Electronic Waste is a Legal and Environmental Minefield

E-waste recycling isn’t just about being green (though that is important to many companies) it’s also about avoiding liability. Your end-of-life electronics likely contain hazardous materials like mercury, lead, and cadmium. Improper e-waste disposal can:

• Pollute the environment
• Harm public health
• Violate local, state, and federal laws
• Attract negative press

Certified R2v3 electronics recycling helps protect both your brand and the planet. When you partner with an R2v3 certified vendor, you can ensure that you are doing right by the planet and don’t leave your company open to legal issues. 

💸 There’s Value in That “Junk”

In addition to the sustainability risks of improper IT Asset disposal, many retired devices can still be refurbished safely and then resold. When businesses skip proper IT asset recovery, they miss out on:

• Recovering residual value
• Reducing e-waste
• Supporting sustainability goals

You’re losing money and momentum if your disposal strategy doesn’t include certified electronics recycling. Read how Securis has been able to transform lives through electronics recycling. 

📉 A Breach Can Destroy More Than Just Data

The consequences of poor IT asset disposal can include:

• PR disasters
• Loss of customers
• Decreased investor confidence
• Operational downtime

News spreads fast. A breach linked to poor e-waste disposal can undo years of brand-building overnight. When data breaches or e-waste disposal violations hit the headlines, the damage is swift and lasting. Customers leave. Partners question your security posture. Trust evaporates.

So What’s the Solution?

A strong IT asset disposition strategy starts with treating the disposal of IT assets as a security function—not a side task. Here’s how to get there:

✅ Build a Secure, Compliant ITAD Process:

• Sanitize Devices Properly: Use professional-grade wiping, degaussing, or physical destruction based on data sensitivity.
• Use Certified Vendors: Look for R2v3 or e-Stewards certifications.
• Document Everything: Make sure your vendor creates a transparent chain of custody and disposal records.
• Track Every Asset: Know what you’re retiring, where it is, and where it’s going.
• Train Your Team: Everyone handling devices should understand the risks and protocols.
• Audit Regularly: Check that policies are being followed—and updated with current laws.
• Explore Value Recovery: Partner with vendors who offer secure remarketing of eligible devices.
• Prioritize Secure Logistics: Ensure devices are protected in transit from start to finish.

 

🔐 Partner with Experienced ITAD Experts Who Do It Right

At Securis, we offer 25 years of experience in secure, accurate, and sustainable solutions for:

• IT Asset Disposal (ITAD)
• Hard Drive Destruction Services 
• On-Site and Off-Site Shredding
• Electronics Recycling & E-Waste Management
• Data Center Decommissioning 
• Medical Electronics Recycling 

At Securis, we help organizations like yours protect data, stay compliant, and meet sustainability goals—without the stress of handling it alone.

Whether you’re in healthcare, finance, academia, government, a government consultant, or any regulated industry, we’ve seen what can go wrong and know how to prevent it. 

Our mission: Help you eliminate risk, ensure compliance, and support ESG goals without losing sleep over what’s inside that old server. Learn more about what to look for in an e-waste recycling partner.  

Don’t let yesterday’s tech become tomorrow’s headline.
Let’s make your IT asset disposal secure, accurate, and sustainable.

📞 Ready to talk? Visit securis.com to learn more.