What Is ITAD? – A Guide to IT Asset Disposition

ITAD Companies — The old hard disk drive is disintegrating in space. Conception of passage of time and obsolete technology

Businesses across the United States and around the world are increasingly relying on ITAD to maintain data security, manage IT asset disposal, and for many other services – but what is ITAD?

What is ITAD and why should businesses be incorporating it into their operations? Data is now more prevalent than at any other time in history, most of which is stored on digital devices and in data centers used by businesses and institutions around the world. Keeping these devices and the data stored therein secure includes safe data disposal when these devices reach the end of their usable lifespan.

ITAD is a growing industry that seeks to resolve these new, modern problems for businesses and organizations. In addition to the rampant rise of cyberattacks, which are increasingly becoming more frequent and more severe, businesses are also increasingly looking for sustainable methods of disposing of redundant IT assets. ITAD can mitigate many of the risks associated with data security and data privacy while also improving sustainability.

What is ITAD?

ITAD is short for Information Technology Asset Disposition, or IT Asset Disposition. It is a set of practices and processes whereby redundant IT assets are recycled, refurbished, repaired, or otherwise disposed of in an environmentally friendly and safe manner.

Every IT asset within an organization has a usable lifespan whereby the asset depreciates until it reaches its end-of-life (EoL), at which point disposition is required. Electronic waste (e-waste) is a major contributing factor to pollution in the United States and worldwide, which is one reason why many organizations are turning to ITAD companies to improve sustainability efforts.

The ITAD industry is booming as a consequence. Its market size worldwide is expected to reach $20.7 billion by 2027, with a CAGR of 8.6% from 2020-2027. As data security and responsible IT asset disposal continue to grow in demand, ITAD must continue to grow and adapt to meet this demand.

Some examples of ITAD services that ITAD companies provide include Hard Drive Disposal, secure Data Destruction, logistics and asset tracking and inventorying services.

The Demand for ITAD in Modern Data Centers

While laptops, cell phones, and desktop computers are common IT assets used by most organizations today, data centers and the infrastructure therein are also considered IT assets and thus require ITAD services.

Data centers are booming in terms of usage and data storage, which is reflected in recent estimates of data center growth worldwide. With a CAGR of 10.5% from 2021-2030, data centers are expected to go from a market value of around $187.35 billion to around $517.17 billion USD by 2030.

With so much anticipated growth in data centers, organizations will increasingly need to rely on ITAD services to deal with the continuous flow of redundant IT assets. There are many Data Centre Services such as Data Centre Decommissioning that can keep organizations’ data centers sustainable and secure.

Why ITAD is Necessary for Sustainable IT Asset Disposal

With e-waste at a global tipping point, the need for sustainable IT asset disposal is clearly urgent. The rare earth metals found in most modern microchips and electronic devices leach into ground soils and pollute landfills and the environment around them, so simply discarding of IT assets in landfills is not desirable at all.

Instead, organizations must consider sustainable alternatives such as recycling, refurbishment, and remarketing. In other words, a circular economy model much like the three R’s (reduce, reuse, recycle) is necessary.

Wisetek is a pioneer of the Circular Economy for IT asset disposition and is committed to a Zero Landfill Policy whereby all IT assets are either recycled or refurbished and then resold through our Wisetek Market.

Data Security & Supply Chain Management

IT asset procurement and disposal are subject to risks involved with data security and supply chain management. The secure logistics of all IT assets is essential to prevent any devices from falling into the wrong hands and perhaps causing unauthorised access and a costly data breach.

ITAD strategies within an organization must therefore consider the risks to data security and data privacy alongside risks to supply chain management. Some of these risks include global chip shortages and delays for acquiring replacement assets, as well as the methods of transport and logistics for redundant IT assets.

We’ve covered this topic in a previous blog entry, risk management strategies must include ITAD.

How to Choose a Reliable ITAD Provider

Choosing your preferred ITAD Company is a matter of great importance and must be based on many criteria. Quality, reputation, compliance, ISO certification, auditable and traceable processes, and accountability such as data destruction certificates and video verification are all important must-haves.

If you’re wondering what to look for in an ITAD company, read our previous blog on how to choose the right ITAD provider.

Sustainable Business ITAD Solutions from Wisetek

ITAD will only continue to grow in the coming years, which is why it’s important to choose a trusted and reliable global ITAD leader to assist your organization. Wisetek operates within the United States and internationally, providing a vast range of secure ITAD services for businesses.

For more information, please contact enquiries@wisetekusa.com or visit our website.

You might also be interested in the following articles:

How to dispose of hard drives responsibly and safely

Data Destruction Regulations 

Best Practices for Data Destruction