How Is My Data Protected With NAID?

Jeff Londres at NextUse here. For those of you who want to be certain your data is secure, I can tell you through my own experience, that many data professionals fail to question the environments, people, and processes that have access to their company data.

Test your knowledge by answering these 10 questions:

Questions

Do you currently use a VAR, MSP, Recycler, IT service provider, or ITAD company?

What happens to your data when it leaves your facility?

What is the off-site vendor’s security like and have you done a site visit?

What are their credentials?

Are the people destroying your electronic media “drive technology professionals?”

Do you receive data destruction certificates?

How do you know the machine issuing the certificates works?

What would the consequences be if your data was leaked?

Are your IT operating costs as economical as possible and the processes efficient?

Do you know the difference between a recycler and a NAID AAA-certified data destruction company?

My current business has been built by asking these questions to the people overseeing data equipment at companies worldwide. Time and time again, the answer to my questions has been, “I don’t know.”

I’ve built companies on six continents for managed services and IT distribution. For 35+ years, I’ve been visiting VARs, MSPs, recyclers, IT service providers, and ITAD companies all over the world.

Here’s the problem with security, procedures, and ITAD at many of these companies…

During a site visit, you may find it’s like walking into an indoor junkyard. There may be devices containing data scattered all over the place with all kinds of people milling around.

It wouldn’t be difficult for a client to come in, perhaps to fix his son’s broken laptop. He’s hanging out in the tech room, having a cup of coffee, talking with the techs. There’s your hard drive… [whistle]… gone.

Those types of situations don’t happen at NextUse, that’s why our company is certified by the National Association for Information Destruction (NAID).

Our secure lab and processes are all designed to keep your data secure.

NextUse is one of three companies in the world to achieve all six NAID certifications.

NextUse’s NAID AAA certifications allow us to perform secure onsite and offsite physical data destruction, sanitization, and degaussing.

NextUse employees are experts in computer media technology.

When issues arise, we have the knowledge and experience to solve any of your data problems. If a problem comes up at other facilities, they often are not tech-savvy, so they don’t really know what is going on with the drive, which could put your data at risk.

There are companies out there that go buy data wiping software right off the shelf, that will get the job done. The software provides verification and appears to work well. However…

…We demoed one piece of equipment that is currently marketed for data destruction… here’s what we found:

We tested some sample 500GB drives that passed in 15 minutes and provided data destruction certificates. But we know a 500GB drive takes about 2 hours to wipe and verify. You can’t erase a 500GB drive in 15 minutes, unless you degauss it, and then the drive is useless when you’re done.

This is the kind of knowledge and experience our technicians have.

Employees at some companies would have considered it a job well done: “the software says passed!” We don’t have this problem with our gear, we don’t get 15-minute wipes that pass. At NextUse, we are secure data destruction specialists. It’s what we do. We have the equipment and experience to get the job done right.

It’s critical to know this information, because if there is any data remaining, you may be in violation of regulations like HIPAA, Sarbanes-Oxley, or the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act.

Is ITAD, data destruction, decommissioning, and relocation something you just want anyone doing? Or do you need a certified specialist?

I hope this has given you a better understanding of the types of environments, people, and processes that may have access to your data.

Now it’s time to think about your company’s data and who may have access.

Do you have questions?

If so, please schedule a consultation to have them answered or to discuss any of the following:

  • NAID AAA certified ITAD
  • Maximize resale value through global partnerships established over 35+ years
  • Revenue positive IT disposition
  • Minority-owned business contracting
  • Certified chain of custody
  • Recycling leaders
  • Global capabilities

Please schedule a consultation with my team today to customize a solution for your business.

Cheers,
Jeff Londres, CEO

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“At NextUse, we are committed to delivering a superior customer experience. Our proven expertise will help you safely and securely manage your IT assets with confidence.”
Jeff Londres

CEO, NextUse