Data security is often overlooked, but this can produce perilous consequences. Today, illegally accessing the data held on discarded computers can have serious medical, financial, legal, and security repercussions for your company. Businesses and organizations that want to upgrade their equipment must be very careful about how they discard the old machines to prevent bad actors from accessing their sensitive data.

Albert Boufarah of SAMR Inc. is a leader in the field of electronics recycling. His company provides complete data destruction to its clients. Boufarah explains how his company is working with major businesses and organizations like law firms, hospitals, and banks to secure their old equipment with safety and confidentiality well into the future. At SAMR, the focus is on e-waste management “Done the Right Way.”

A Secure Pick-Up Process

When your company decides that it no longer wants to keep its old computers, the first step in safely recycling them is to call SAMR Inc. and arrange for pickup. SAMR has several convenient options for pickup of old items.

If your company is discarding a large number of machines gradually, a drop box may be the right choice. A drop box allows you to place old machines securely in a locked container and have SAMR pick it up when it is full.

Many companies choose to have their electronic equipment picked up by SAMR Inc. in one load. SAMR has a dedicated fleet of secure trucks that can travel to your destination and pick up your items. Every step of the process is secure, and SAMR facility is equipped with state-of-the-art security equipment so that your data will be safe while it is being prepared for destruction. Companies that are close enough to one of SAMR’s facilities can also choose to deliver their old electronics themselves.

Types of Companies that Need Data Destruction

Every company has sensitive and proprietary data on their computer hard drives. Two areas of particular concern are law firms and medical offices. Legal documents need to be kept safe and confidential at all times, or the firm’s clients may experience data breaches or other serious consequences. Medical offices are trusted with the most personal data possible, and in order to protect patient privacy, this data must be completely destroyed while the machines are recycled.

Even small companies have a need to securely destroy their data when they discard old equipment. Customer lists and trade secrets could get out, hampering their ability to compete.

Methods of Data Destruction

SAMR Inc. uses highly advanced data wiping technology which is approved by the United States Department of Defense. Some data wiping methods, even when they seem thorough, leave usable data on hard drives. The Department of Defense requires that all data be completely erased with no potential for retrieval. SAMR uses this military-grade data destruction to make all companies safe from data breaches.

SAMR’s software alerts the company if the data on a hard drive cannot be wiped through basic methods. If a hard drive fails to be wiped completely, SAMR destroys the hard drive. Physical destruction of hard drives and computer components is available on request at a customer’s location or at SAMR’s facility.

SAMR has a state-of-the-art electronics shredder that can take care of even the most stubborn hard drives at the push of a button. When materials are broken down using this shredder, the client can rest assured that their data will never be misused.

The Importance of E-Waste Recycling

While 20 to 50 metric tons of e-waste are discarded worldwide each year, only 12.5 percent of this waste is properly recycled. E-waste contains many precious metals that can be reused, among these being copper, silver, gold, and palladium. Other computer components like screens can also be reused.

E-waste is polluting if it is not recycled properly. When e-waste is placed in a landfill, it can release toxic chemicals that contaminate trees and plants. When these materials are burned in an incinerator, they can cause serious air pollution problems. Plastics, glass, and metals that go into the construction of electronic equipment can produce damaging byproducts that can harm the air, groundwater, and the ocean.

SAMR Inc. responsibly recycles its byproducts, making sure that its discards are safe and that recycling old materials will not lead to environmental damage. The importance of taking care of data security and the environment at the same time cannot be overlooked.

Protecting Data and the Environment

Albert Boufarah understands the importance of properly recycling electronics and destroying all proprietary data. His company makes sure that all of their clients’ machines are completely wiped, using electronic and physical procedures.

Legal, medical, educational, and business clients can all feel safe knowing that their old data is inaccessible. All companies that carry sensitive data should consider treating it with care and ensuring that it is destroyed when old equipment is upgraded.

Improperly recycling electronics is irresponsible, both in terms of data security and environmental safety. SAMR Inc. can help companies feel good about their data destruction and provide for a secure future.