If you want to maintain a competitive edge over other businesses in your industry, you must use updated technology. The right tech can take you to the next level and help you serve customers better than the competition. However, on your way to finding and using the right tech, you also have to do something with your old tech.
Recycling your technology is one option for getting rid of your old business tech, but you must also know how to protect your data when doing so. Otherwise, someone could access your business’s private information. Keep reading to get some data protection tips.
Back Up Your Data
If you’re getting rid of an old piece of tech that’s been sitting unused around the office for a while, you may not think you need to back up the data. It’s old data, after all. However, you never know when you might need something, and you can always delete it later. Take the time to back up all your data from all the devices that you want to recycle. You can store this data on an external hard drive or a cloud storage system.
Wipe Your Data With a Factory Reset
Once you’ve backed your data up in a separate storage system, you can safely wipe that data from the device you’re planning to recycle. Wiping your data is one of the most important tips for properly recycling electronic waste. If you don’t wipe your data before dropping your tech off for recycling, someone else could gain access to it, which could cause problems for your business. It’s always better to be safe than sorry. Wipe your data even if you’re donating your tech to a trusted charity or buy-back program. Some programs will offer to wipe your data for you, but it’s always best to do it yourself first. Select the option for a factory reset on your computer to easily erase everything.
Consult With Professionals
Depending on the size of your business and the amount of data you’re trying to backup and wipe, you may want to consult with professionals. IT professionals can help you backup and wipe the data on the tech that you’re planning to recycle so that you can focus on your current business needs. Electronic waste professionals can pick up and properly recycle your old tech so that you don’t have to worry about that in addition to your regular workload.
Recycling your technology is a great way to keep electronics out of landfills as you update your business. However, you should know how to protect your data before you start recycling so that you don’t accidentally leave your business vulnerable. After backing up and wiping your data, you can safely dispose of it and move your business forward.
