Electrical goods ‘must have hard drives wiped before recycling’

Published on 12 December 2011.

Data destruction must be carried out before electronic goods are recycled, one expert has warned.

 

Companies must delete all data before recycling waste electrical and electronic equipment.

 

This is according to e-Crime Wales steering group member and managing director of Get Safe Online Tony Neate, who claimed many firms “overlook protecting valuable data”.

 

He explained how an increasing number of organisations are recognising the importance of safely disposing electronic waste and how it can benefit the environment.

 

However, it was suggested a large percentage fail to realise how easily their private records could be compromised.

 

“Hard drives store a wealth of information and in the wrong hands, this captured data could lead to any number of e-crimes being committed,” Mr Neate remarked.

 

The expert warned exposure of a company’s sensitive details could lead to a loss of reputation, commercial disadvantage and loss of trust by consumers.

 

Director of Data Defender Graeme Batsman recently remarked how cyber crime is set to get worse as criminals target new angles.

 

Posted by Clive Notting