If you are a business owner, you probably want to know the importance of data management and how to protect your corporation’s future.
After all, it’s no secret that poor data management procedures could lead to data security issues, such as leaked private information. This could jeopardize your entire business, including your employees and customers!
In this article, you will learn the importance of data management and why your IT team should adopt a proper data destruction plan. Then, you will discover 4 data destruction tips that will keep your business secure.
Let’s get started.
What is Data Management & Destruction?
First, what exactly is data management and why is it so important?
In simple terms, data management is the practice of processing, storing, and maintaining a corporation’s collection of data. Typically, a trusted IT team oversees proper data management practices, including data destruction procedures.
Importance of Data Management
When done properly and regularly, this process ensures that a business will always have a reliable and protected database. Plus, it secures valuable information captured by IT systems (such as analytical statistics, customer details, employee information, etc.) and minimizes the potential for it to fall into the wrong hands.
So, what happens when a corporation experiences poor data management?
Costly Mistake: Data Breaches & Leaked Information
When a company doesn’t have strong data management, they are susceptible to data breaches and other fraudulent activity. Unfortunately, data breaches are still commonly experienced by many large corporations today.
For instance, you might have heard of the Kroger-Accellion incident that took place in February 2021. The Accellion software systems used by certain Kroger stores were hacked and secure file transfers of HR data, pharmacy, and clinic customer information were leaked. This major data breach affected 2% of Kroger customers and associates and cost the company over $5 million in litigation fees.
Luckily, you can adopt a secure data management procedure to protect your employees, your customers, your corporation, and your private data. Keep reading to learn what you should include in your data management plan.
Data Destruction: An Integral Part of Your Data Management Plan
One of the most important assets you need to add to your data management plan is a proper data destruction protocol. Data destruction is when you destroy data found on old hard drives, disks, and electronics (such as desktop computers, laptops, and tablets).
Here’s the problem: Many businesses just throw away end-of-life electronics that contain private information on their hard drives. Sadly, this data is easy for thieves and hackers to mine and could lead to costly data breaches!
Therefore, your corporation should take data destruction extremely seriously when it’s time to get rid of end-of-life devices. In this next section, you will discover 4 data destruction tips to help keep your company’s data secure.
4 Data Destruction Tips to Protect Your Business
If you’re ready to reduce the chance of cyber risk and data breaches, then check out these easy-to-follow tips.
1. Train Your IT Team
First and foremost, you need to make sure your IT team is fully informed of your company’s data destruction protocol. Hold a formal meeting with your IT team to discuss the correct steps they need to take for proper data destruction and management.
For instance, explain that all hard drives, disks, computers, and end-of-life devices need to be safely stored and protected prior to destruction. Then, brainstorm a plan with your team to adequately collect old technology and prepare it for the destruction process.
This leads us to the next tip.
2. Create an End-of-Life Policy for IT Assets
Here’s a fact: You should NEVER toss old devices in the trash. There are countless dangers of dumping end-of-life devices, one of which is corporate data theft.
Instead, build an end-of-life policy for any and all IT assets that your corporation is currently harboring. Within this policy, you may include a mandatory data destruction notice that states all old technology must be collected and overseen by officials in your company.
This policy will guarantee that no devices will get thrown away and sent to the dump.
3. Use Data Erasure
Instead of shredding your hard drives, you can opt for data erasure or data sanitation.
Data sanitation is the process of permanently wiping and destroying data found within a device. In this procedure, your electronics will be exposed to an electromagnetic pulse (EMP), which breaks the magnetic field within the device. This obliterates any data stored within the magnetic field and ensures a complete erasure of any information on the IT asset.
With data sanitation, you can eliminate the risk of identity theft. Not to mention that data erasure is compliant with many data protection regulations and aligns with eco-friendly practices.
4. Contract a Third-Party to Destroy Your Data
Last but not least, send your IT assets to a full-service electronics recycling company.
A registered electronics recycling facility will have the right tools and machinery that are necessary to properly destroy your data and recycle any salvageable pieces of your devices.
Ask for Proof of Proper Data Destruction
Listen up, this is important! If you choose to use a third-party to destroy your data, you need to make sure they are willing to provide you with proof of your data destruction.
For your own peace of mind, a data destruction facility should issue you a Certificate of Destruction upon request. Furthermore, they should provide you with information on how your devices are handled.
For example, a trustworthy third-party facility will guarantee that all of your data devices are handled in accordance with NIST 800.88 standards to ensure compliance with your needs.
Trust Great Lakes Electronics to Destroy Your Data
As you can see, the importance of data management is monumental for your corporation to succeed. No matter how big or small your company is, it is absolutely necessary to have a data destruction plan set in stone.
At Great Lakes Electronics, we offer certified data management and destruction services to help you reduce the risk of data breaches, identity theft, and leaked information.
As trusted experts in recycling and destruction of electronics, we ensure that all of your data is properly wiped and destroyed. Contact us to request a quote.