The Importance of Data Security and Protection for your Business

By | Business, Computer Disposal, Computer Recycling, Data Destruction | No Comments

Your business’ data is one of its most valuable assets. It is what connects you to your client base and often they have placed a high degree in trust in you to allow you to keep their data on your files. This means you have to shadowsocks respect it, you have to keep it secure and even if it’s time for an upgrade of your equipment or office space you have to securely and completely ensure every piece of hardware no longer in use is completely clear of all data.

A breach of data security is one sure-fire way to lose a considerable chunk of your customer base. Whether you’re updating all your computer equipment or simply moving from a traditional service to cloud-based storage, the old equipment needs to be recycle and the data, erased completely.

The Risk of Security Breach

Even the smallest piece of data could be enough to affect your customers or employees. Something as seemingly innocuous as an Outlook address book could be used in a malicious way in the wrong hands and therefore should be treated with the utmost confidentiality.

You should be regularly running wipes on all employee computers to ensure data that is used regularly but doesn’t need to be stored on the machine is removed immediately. This will help the machines work more effectively but also further ensures you’re treating client data with the confidentiality it deserves.

Asking employees and even utilising your IT staff to remove data from the computers is just the start however as approved software is the best option. At Buy It Back we use Blancco. Blancco holds a 100% date erasure certification procedure which entirely wipes hard drives to CESG standards – ensuring not even a single megabyte of data remains on the hard drive.

Professional Data Security and Erasure

Utilising a professional company who regularly carry out data erasure gives you the peace of mind you need for your business and your customers. Our professionals perform full hard drive wiping as well as recycling and reselling the hardware. All hardware we buy from you will be checked and in most cases resold, ensuring you get some cash back to put towards new equipment or use for your business in any way you see fit.

Data erasure comes as standard but if you’re looking for a different service there is also the option of hard drive shredding, if your company policy dictates this is necessary. All our hard drive shredding services come with certification as a batch or serial numbers for individual items.

Taking your business to the next level and keeping your equipment up to date is essential but ensure your disposal process is secure enough to protect your customers’ data and security rights.

Moving Offices? Use an IT Recycling Specialist for the Best Return

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Moving into a new office space usually corresponds with an upgrade of hardware, systems and servers. Transferring your old equipment is usually a thankless task and you soon find it’s redundant anyway.

Moving office and upgrading at the same time makes good business sense but any canny business person will also recognise to keep costs down. Utilising a specialist IT hardware recycling company ensures you get the best return on your old equipment and you comply with your corporate legal obligations.

Trade In before Trading Up

There is always the option of trading in your equipment with its manufacturer or opting for a dealership. Both these options are commonly used but often leave you in a worse financial position than when you started! The key problems with trade ins include:

  • Being tied to one manufacturer – if you opt for a manufacturer trade in then you’re entirely limited to their branded products which may not be ideal for your new premises’ needs
  • Less for your cash – trade ins typically result in less back for your goods than choosing to sell your items via a dedicated IT buy back scheme
  • Less choice in equipment – as well as being tied into a manufacturer as above you also have a limit when it comes to the quality of equipment available to you. You may find wanting to trade up will also result in higher premiums than you were hoping for
  • Not fit for purpose – a trade in is only a good idea if you’re moving to the same types of equipment. For example, you may be hoping to trade in your oversized on-site server because you’re moving to Cloud Computing and this simply isn’t a possible trade in!

Benefits of IT and Electronic Recycling Specialists

Choosing to have your old IT hardware and equipment handled by a professional IT and electronic recycling specialist will guarantee better results. The methods used by specialist companies like ourselves guarantee the best possible return as we work to resell equipment before any other methods – getting you a higher financial reward.

In addition to this there is no swap involved – if you want to recycle your server then this can be handled and data of course will be securely erased before the data centre is resold, generating a return income for yourself to put towards your new equipment.

Ensuring your old equipment finds a new home, whether broken down for parts, or reused in its current state is a legal obligation and utilising a third party IT recycling specialist guarantees you meet these requirements too.

What Happens to a Computer when it’s recycled?

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Once your computer hardware and IT equipment becomes redundant you have a corporate social responsibility to ensure they’re disposed of correctly. This can be done in many ways but it all counts as a recycling process and ensures your computer doesn’t end up on a landfill, in contravention of the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) 2003 Directive.trailer movie Polina

What’s in a PC?

The components of a standard PC make them quite complex to recycle in the traditional way. It includes up to 23% plastics, 32% ferrous metals and 12% electronic boards. It also includes high quantities of lead, glass and non-ferrous metals making traditional recycling different. Therefore specialised companies try different methods before regular recycling.

Resell and Recycle IT Equipment

At Buy I.T. Back the procedure is to try and salvage as much workable equipment as possible. The service is designed to ensure businesses maximise their return by reselling equipment at the best possible prices where possible and reselling and recycling through sale is always the first option.

When it’s clear an item can’t be resold then it’s time to find a recycling specialist, who meets the WEEE Directive regulations. Recycling companies will dismantle the computer and break it down into parts which may be able to be sold or may need to be recycled completely and reused for other purposes – it’s entirely dependent on the equipment involved and its current state.

Recycling Computer Equipment is the Law

As a business owner you are responsible for the safe and legal disposal of your used computer equipment. It’s no longer acceptable to just throw it out and hope for the best. Regulations state it must be recycled and how you choose to do this is up to you but of course the best method is to get the most back from your used equipment.

Reselling IT equipment gives you the chance to make a little back on your equipment and invest this back into the company, perhaps offsetting the costs of the new equipment or to be used in another way for the benefit of your company.

Recycling always sounds like something which sees the item in question ripped to pieces and rebuilt into something else. This isn’t always the case. If you choose to handover your old equipment to a charity for example this is also recycling and if you get a cash payment for your items due to resale it’s still the same recycling process.

It’s your responsibility to ensure your used computer equipment is recycled responsibly and utilising a buy back scheme is an effective way to do so.

European WEEE Compliance Scheme Collective to be launched

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It was announced mid-January that a new WEEE compliance scheme is launching across Europe. Nine large compliance schemes are linking up together to form a collective to deal with WEEE across their home countries.

The scheme brings together the nine non-profit schemes across Europe as a response to the failure of the last European WEEE Directive consultation. Despite demands for simplification of regulations for the industry, nothing major was done.

Standardisation has been a problem for WEEE recycling and management across the EU as different countries have different methods of disposal and more importantly the ways of reporting WEEE figures are also different from country to country. This new WEEE Europe scheme hopes to tackle this in its own way and plans to offer members the following benefits:

Compliance with legal obligations and individual national laws

Reduction of the potential for error in reports due to one single set of data for all involved schemes

Production of the above consolidated reports for a single centralised input of data

Anyone who joins WEEE Europe can join other affiliated compliance schemes in affiliated countries. The countries involved at present include UK, France, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Denmark, Spain and Switzerland (twice). More member states are being contacted and the scheme is looking to expand to allow for the simplification of WEEE disposal regardless of the Directive’s suggestions.

WEEE and your Business

Disposing of WEEE as a business person can be a difficult issue to organise. Above anything else in the modern workplace WEEE constitutes computer hardware and related equipment. Responsibly disposing of your used computer equipment, whether it’s a single unit or a whole office’s worth of hardware, is a legal responsibility for your company.

Computer recycling is best carried out through a professional, experienced partner company. Working with a specialised IT and electronics recycling company will give you the peace of mind to ensure your WEEE is being disposed of in a way that 100% fits with the guidelines of the legislation.

Running an office based business means you need to ensure your equipment is up to date and meets the needs of your employees and more importantly your clients. The replacement of your full range of equipment comes at a cost which is why recycling unwanted computer hardware for cash will help ensure your costs aren’t too extreme.

Choosing a commercial partner to do this will ensure you comply with the WEEE Directive and Discovery Computer Services Ltd trading as Buy IT Back also offer server recycling if you’re having a complete overhaul or perhaps moving your company into the world of Cloud computing.

Simplification of WEEE legislation would be welcomed by all in the business, especially if it benefits our clients.

The Proper Way to Recycle your Computer

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Were you one of the lucky few who got a new PC or laptop for Christmas? Electronic gadgets are always top of the Christmas list and thought the festive season long gone there’s a high chance your old machine is still hanging around cluttering the place up. The last thing you want is to keep it there forever, you’ve already decided you don’t need it anymore so instead, recycle it and get some cash in the process.

Here are some tips to ensure you recycle your PC in an effective and eco-friendly way.

Recycle or Donate?

If the machine is still in decent working order you may decide it’s worth passing onto a friend or family member – perhaps an older relative who wants to get to grips with computers. If this doesn’t work for you or it’s broken beyond your means to fix then responsible recycling is the answer. Utilising a specialist IT and recycling company will ensure your machine is dealt with responsibly.

Don’t Forget those Files

For computers that are still working it’s worth remembering to back up. Copy all your valuable files onto Cloud storage, discs or USB pen drives. If the computer cannot be booted then consider removing the hard drive and seeing if a specialist can help you extract the files. Alternatively if there’s nothing you need then you can simply hand it over to your chosen recycling specialist.

Wipe your Drive

Once you’ve extracted the files you need it’s worth trying to wipe your drive as much as you possibly can. From a security perspective it’s essential you remove all your files – although it’s unlikely someone could try and boot up your computer at a later date and access all your data. Although you can do this yourself, reputable recycling companies like Buy IT Back will carry out full data erasure for your peace of mind and security.

Utilising a reputable recycling company will ensure your PC is treated in the way it deserves. Whether it’s refurbished for sale or broken down into recyclable parts you can be sure it has been recycled in the proper way and of course you’ll be recompensed for your donation.

How to Recycle Old Printers for Cash

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In recent times the need for hard copy printing has decreased significantly, as businesses adapt to more cost effective and efficient digital methods. A growing volume of data is now collected and processed electronically, which reduces the volume of hardcopy printouts. Plus, printers themselves are changing as the workplace sees the increase of multi-function devices which can incorporate the functionalities of a printer, scanner, fax and photocopier – all in one machine!

So, whether you’re upgrading your kit or simply need new printers for your business, speak to our team at Buy IT Back. We recognise that getting some money in return for your old device can help offset the costs of any new purchases too. Our team of experts can talk you through the process and simply demonstrate that recycling your old printers is easier than you think.

Helping the environment

By employing Buy IT Back to recycle your old and unwanted printers, you’re employing a trusted partner to ensure you adhere to the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Directive. This means we’ll guarantee your IT equipment will be disposed of in a safe and secure manner, as outlined in the WEEE legislation.

You’re also helping the environment by preventing potentially hazardous waste from entering landfill which could be dangerous to our health and the environment. We will also assess whether certain components can be repurposed for use in other models, which helps promote sustainability to reduce the future impact on our Earth’s resources.

Secure data removal

Printers can store each document printed or photocopied in their memory, which could include confidential and sensitive data. We want to prevent your unwanted data from unauthorised use by third parties and minimise the risk to your business. Our data and shredding services adhere to the HMG Infosec5 Enhanced Standard and above, giving you peace of mind for your business.

Contact us

Contact one of our friendly experts today, either via the phone on 01621 786860 or email us to find out how you can make some cash back on your old printers, whilst also knowing that they’re being used in an ethical and eco-friendly way.

Effective Computer Disposal for UK Businesses

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The rate at which technology advances mean UK businesses require new equipment at an increasingly alarming rate. Computers become obsolete quicker than ever before and this results in a huge and terrifying mountain of computer waste. Statistics suggest that there are approximately 20 million ‘obsolete’ PCs discarded every year just in the USA and the figures in the UK won’t be far behind.

As a business it’s important you represent a corporate image which is professional and positive. Ethically disposing of used and obsolete equipment is a must for your business image and the future of the planet. Recycling computers is entirely possible as many elements of their makeup can be reused.

Computer Recycling in Depth

Computer recycling can mean breaking down the parts of a computer for reuse or it can be giving a whole unit a new home. It may be broken into usable second-hand parts and those which can be refurbished to like-new condition. There are a range of businesses 外汇交易平台 who specialise in WEEE disposal, which includes computers. As a business you can decide whether to use a company who pays you in cash or who gives you the opportunity to do something publicly philanthropic and donate the proceeds a charity of your choosing.

Why recycle?

If it isn’t clear why recycling computers should be important to UK businesses here are a few more points to consider. Recycling computers reduces landfill space and therefore limits the toxic emissions being released into the earth. It can also give people the opportunity to buy computers affordably where they may not have been able to and can support charities as they look for funds and support. Many recycled computers end up being used in literacy and IT programmes around the world.

Disposing of computer as a UK Business

As mentioned there are specialised WEEE disposal companies, such as Discovery Computer Services Ltd, who focus solely on the ethical disposal of computer hardware. Buy I.T. Back offer a comprehensive and effective scheme for a wide range of computer equipment. Small businesses can benefit and they can also be assured that all information and .

Disposing of computer equipment as a business doesn’t need to be a headache and you don’t just need to accept it’s a lost cause. Choosing to work with a reputable means you’ll earn a fee as well as getting rid of your unwanted equipment.

Computer Recycling for Business

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All business, schools and colleges make use of computer and IT equipment. Naturally, as technology becomes more advanced, we are faced with redundant hardware as these establishments favour newer, even slicker equipment.

The Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive (WEEE) was introduced into UK law with the aim of decreasing the vast amount of electronic goods being produced, whilst reducing, reusing and recovering unwanted electronic equipment. Here’s where you come in; as a user of electronic equipment, you have a responsibility to ensure its safe, responsible disposal.

You may be surprised to know that 99% of most computers can be recycled! Tonnes of computer equipment such as scanners, laptops and computers are sent straight to landfill each year. Some internal components of a computer such as lead, lithium and mercury are poisonous to plants, animals and humans. When dumped in landfill, these chemicals can seep into the ground, having a detrimental effect on water, animals, humans and crops.

With that in mind, getting shut of your old unwanted electronic goods in an efficient, responsible way needn’t be a hassle, and there are a plethora of reasons why it is good for your business.

Earn money by recycling.

Companies such as Discovery Computer Services Ltd (www.buy-it-back.com) offer a full Buy Back service for all unwanted computer hardware. They’ll collect all your unwanted goods and either refurbish them or responsibly recycle the components. You could earn a pretty penny for it too.

Donate to a worthy cause.

Whether you’re a school, business or another kind of establishment you can donate any unwanted, but functional electronics to a charity. You can be sure their productivity will increase and they’ll do more with it than it would crushed up in a landfill.

Shout about being WEEE compliant.

It might be an obligation, but you’re helping to reduce the impact that electrical appliances have on the environment. Why wouldn’t you want to tell your business partners and customers?

The benefits of being WEEE complaint within your business are endless. If you’d like more information of how you can become WEEE compliant or to see if you have obligations, The Environment Agency has produced a whole host of literature for your disposal.

The importance of secure Data Destruction

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When running your own business it is important that you take the storage of personal data seriously. Due to legislation such as the Data Protection Act 1998 as a business owner you are responsible and accountable for the safe storage of your customers and employees personal data.

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Day to day business will inevitably involve customers or clients to transfer sensitive data over to you such as contact details or payment details. It is for this reason that it is important that your business takes the security of this data seriously. Allowing this type of data to get into the wrong hands could not only lead to legal proceedings it could seriously damage your brand equity and ultimately cost your business.

If you have to store sensitive data or information then it is vitally important that it is completely secure and only your most trusted employees have access to it. There will also come a time when the data is no longer needed and it will have to be destroyed. If the data is storage on a solid state hard drive then you will need to ensure the destruction process includes degaussing, this will ensure that data is permanently deleted by altering the magnetic fields inside the hard drive so that it can never be recovered. The most secure way of permanently erasing any data is use an external company like Buy IT Back to do it for you, make sure that the company is Blancco certified, runs criminal checks on their staff and can provide testimonials from previous/current customers.

With the currently economic crisis, it is now more than ever important to keep the costs of your business down. However, with data destruction it is important not to take any short cuts and ensure that the job is done properly. If not done properly then it could cost you a lot more in lost reputation and ultimately lost business.

For more information please click here to find out more about how Buy IT Back can help with your computer recycling needs.

5 Tips For Choosing a Computer Recycling Company

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So it’s time to upgrade your old computers and other IT equipment – you want the latest in all-singing, all-dancing technology – well who doesn’t  However, next arrives the problem of deciding what to do with your old IT equipment. There are a number of Computer Recycling Companies that provide a service to recycle your unwanted electronic hardware, however how do you decide which the right company to choose is? Have a look at our list below to give you some points to bear in mind when choosing a computer recycling company.

Is the company WEEE compliant?

The Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive (WEEE Directive) was introduced into UK law in January 2007. It aims to reduce the amount of electrical and electronic equipment being produced and to encourage everyone to reuse, recycle and recover it. The WEEE Directive also aims to improve the environmental performance of businesses that manufacture, supply, use, recycle and recover electrical and electronic equipment. So what does this mean for your business? Basically, all unwanted electrical equipment is now classed as hazardous waste and so has to be disposed of in a WEEE compliant manner, not doing so can result in hefty penalties being awarded to non-compliant companies. Therefore it is important to check that your computer recycling company is fully WEEE compliant.

Does the Computer Recycling Company strive to ensure that as little equipment is finally disposed of?

To ensure that your unwanted electrical equipment does more than just end up on a landfill site, check that your computer recycling company is committed to either refurbishing and then re-selling old IT hardware, or stripping down the equipment and recycling its individual parts. Companies such as Buy IT Back are committed to attaining these standards for a number of reasons. Firstly they have an intrinsic ecological outlook and are committed to that upkeep. For example old electrical equipment when dumped in landfill often poses a risk of leaking hazardous chemicals into the groundwater and these becoming a possible harmful pollutant. Also by recycling electrical components, this can mean that less of these raw materials have to be freshly mined, thus often protecting ecologically sensitive areas. And finally, by refurbishing and re-selling unwanted computers it can reduce the numbers of new electrical items that have to be manufactured thus reducing energy consumption and helping to drive the prices of new items down.

Secure Data Destruction

Can the computer recycling company that you are entrusting your business’ old IT equipment (including printers, servers, laptops, PC’s, desktops and networking/telecoms equipment) guarantee that your company data will be securely and completely destroyed? With the increasing concern over data security, identify theft and other fraud, is this an area that you can afford to ignore? However, companies such as Buy IT Back, can guarantee that all your remaining data (including all company references and security markings) will be completely destroyed by using the government certified Blannco software.

Does the Computer Recycling Company offer a Buy Back service?

Many computer recycling companies will charge you for removing your unwanted electrical equipment, however some companies such as Buy IT Back can offer a complete Buy Back service for your old IT equipment. As they can make a small profit from re-selling refurbished items, some of this can be passed directly onto your business. In general, Buy IT Back will come to your business, remove all of your unwanted IT hardware, then ensure that it is either recycled or re-sold, and pay you for doing so!

Established Business

Finally it is often worth considering choosing an established computer recycling company, as these are often more likely to be able to ensure that all of the above points are met. Discovery Computer Services Ltd, the owners of Buy IT Back, have now been in business for 20 years and as such can offer a wealth of practical knowledge and expertise to ensure that you unwanted IT equipment has all data securely destroyed, is then either recycled or refurbished, and can offer you the most generous price as part of its Buy Back Service.

Providing IT Hardware, Data Security, Recycling & Residual Value Solutions For Over 30 Years Since 1992