Retire-IT Launches Independent Verification Service for IT Asset Disposition
Columbus, OH (PRWEB) July 18, 2013 -- For the past nine years, Retire-IT has helped organizations eliminate conflicts-of- interest inherent in IT asset disposition that increase privacy risks. The addition of the Independent Verification service was a natural progression.
Organizations constantly replace outdated computers, servers, laptops, and other types of electronic devices that contain sensitive data and software. This creates a challenge to manage and properly dispose of large numbers of excess electronics.
Data security laws mandate organizations implement "adequate safeguards" to ensure privacy protection, which is why most businesses now rely on expert assistance to help with IT asset disposition. Ironically, this reliance on IT asset disposition outsourcers can create a false sense of security that blinds executives to the biggest threats.
On June 14th, 2013 Harvard Business Review revealed how IT asset disposition is the most overlooked aspect of data security. Privacy experts are becoming more aware of the hidden security issues associated with IT asset disposition. Savvy plaintiff attorneys are also beginning to see how IT asset disposition is an opportunity to make privacy violators pay.
"Chain-of-custody is not a catchphrase," said Kyle Marks, CEO of Retire-IT. "Independent verification is the difference between an organization having defensible disposal or dubious disposal."
Organizations without adequate safeguards have an increased likelihood of a privacy breach occurring. "Trusted insiders can take retired assets any time before the handoff to an ITAD vendor, and before data is destroyed," said Marks.
And when a breach does occur, organizations without adequate safeguards face far greater legal exposure. “There is massive contingent liability when a company cannot prove the whereabouts of 100% of its retired computers. When it comes to defending against a punitive privacy class action, dubious ITAD could prove to be the Achilles' heel that results in a plaintiff lawyer’s dream come true."
Marks continued, "It is disheartening to see organizations invest in efforts to properly retire unwanted equipment, and then fail short of collecting critical evidence to confirm their efforts were a success. Without verification, organizations only have assumptions."
ITAD is full of hidden hazards and conflicts-of-interest, so executives need to be non-credulous when it comes to reporting. In most organizations, disposition activities are performed by low-level employees. Naturally, employees tend to report self-serving interpretations, especially when facts could make them look bad. Without Independent Verification, management will receive heavily distorted information, if any.
"What should you say if your daughter says she got 100 questions right on a test?" asked Marks. "The wise parent asks how many questions were on the test. The same logic applies to IT asset disposition. What’s missing is what matters."
Defensible disposal starts with a reliable process. Independent Verification is a critical component that enhances existing disposal procedures that an organization has in place. Independent Verification also creates opportunities to further strengthen security procedures.
"Instead of having a confrontational relationship with a disposal vendor, organizations can partner with their disposal vendor to close security loopholes. By working with independently-established facts, organizations can finally sit on the same side of the table with their disposal vendors to discuss improvements," said Marks.
Independent Verification allows an organization to:
• Eliminate disputes with disposal vendors,
• Establish chain-of-custody to hold disposal vendors accountable,
• Deter employees from stealing retired equipment,
• Demonstrate compliance and satisfy auditors.
For additional information, visit http://www.Retire-IT.com. To schedule a demonstration or start a free trial, call (888) 839-6555.
About Retire-IT
Retire-IT specializes in quality control and effective management of IT asset disposition (ITAD). Retire-IT tracking software automates rules-based inventory reconciliation to instantly verify asset custody. Retire-IT pioneered disposal tags to deter employee theft and establish unbroken chain-of-custody of unwanted equipment. Leveraging a network of three dozen R2 and e-Steward certified partners, Retire-IT manages retirement and remarketing of unwanted computer equipment to eliminate compliance concerns, conflicts-of-interest, and unnecessary costs.
Contact Retire-IT
Kyle Marks
CEO, Retire-IT, LLC
(888) 839-6555 x 14
support(at)retire-it(dot)com
http://www.linkedin.com/in/kylemarks
http://www.twitter.com/RetireIT
Kyle Marks, Retire-IT, LLC, http://www.Retire-IT.com, +1 (888) 839-6555 14, [email protected]
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