Mobile IT has skyrocketed over the past two decades. Devices such as smartphones and tablets are the most commonly used devices because of their portability and convenience; however, they are also the easiest to discard, and therein lies the problem. Smartphones and tablets are utilized daily for business communication, but once retired, they become companies’ riskiest assets. Today’s blog post discusses how ITAD providers offer defensible mobile programs designed to protect data and increase recovery value in retired mobile IT assets.
The Rise of Mobile IT Presents Device Retirement Challenges
Since the first mobile phone’s release, mobility has exploded in popularity. The modern convenience of handheld devices such as smartphones, smartwatches, tablets, earbuds, and e-readers is the driving force behind the rapid growth of mobile IT hardware and also the reason for irresponsible disposal. Devices like computers, monitors, e-bikes, and even appliances are more difficult to ignore after decommissioning due to their size. Still, mobile devices are small and easily tossed into drawers, boxes, or left in storage rooms for months and sometimes years. This is where they become targets for hackers and begin to rapidly lose value, silently draining companies of hundreds of thousands in potential ROI while putting enterprise data at risk.
The Risks: Data Security & Value Loss
Data Security
Small devices, even earbuds, contain large amounts of data. Anything users save, type, or screenshot is cataloged in a database and remains on devices until it is properly wiped. Enterprise mobile assets in drawers or sitting idle in storage facilities are common targets for hackers, and who knows how long they’ll sit waiting to be stolen? In a digital age, a simple device reset is no longer enough to protect data. Bank information, SSNs, passwords, enterprise and employee data, etc., are all vulnerable to data theft unless they are promptly erased from IT assets.
Value Loss
Not all devices are useless when they are retired. Many are still in working order but lose value quickly by sitting idle. The 90-day value cliff begins immediately after decommissioning. In a digital era where technology is rapidly evolving, idle assets lose value every minute they’re in storage. Operating programs are frequently updated, new models are released every year, and resale market trends fluctuate daily. Value recovery relies heavily on specific resale windows, which narrow the longer devices remain out of use.
The ITAD Solution: Services Designed to Increase Data Security and Value
We understand. Keeping track of hundreds of IT assets can be difficult, and large-scale companies often manage hundreds of thousands of retired IT assets. ITAD providers partner with companies to take the burden off of enterprise shoulders and ensure they get the most out of retired assets. ITAD providers offer a range of services specifically designed to protect enterprise data and increase value recovery after asset retirement.
Serialized Tracking & Auditing
It can feel unsettling for companies to leave sensitive IT equipment in strangers’ hands, especially for larger enterprises with large-scale loads. Part of the ITAD process is serialized tracking, which provides easy, quick identification throughout the process. Serialized tracking improves chain-of-custody tightness by providing auditable documentation that every device is accounted for. This also helps prevent data risk gaps and protects clients against legal issues.
Certified Data Erasure That Protects Data Throughout Disposition
Data remains on any electronic device used, but mobile devices are prime examples of how easily it can fall into the wrong hands. Many companies prioritize larger assets such as data centers, computers, and monitors, but small handheld devices pose greater risks because they often become afterthoughts, left in drawers and storage closets. This is where data is most vulnerable.
Certified data erasure is the only method of data destruction that eliminates all risk, and ITAD providers offer data security solutions tailored specifically for client needs. Onsite data erasure provides transparency and accountability by enabling clients to oversee the erasure process. In the digital age, digital storage is the industry standard, and ITAD providers bring customized data security solutions at scale.
As a rare ITAD provider with its own data erasure tool, HOBI is uniquely qualified for top-tier data security. Developed internally by a HOBI engineer, HOBI Shield completely wipes all data from every device before processing, eliminating data risks and helping to extend the lifecycle of used devices. In addition to other certifications, HOBI is also NAID-certified. HOBI maintains NIST compliance and boasts a clean data breach record throughout its 30+ year history.
Increase Value Recovery with Grading, Repair and Asset Remarketing
What most companies don’t realize is that their retired mobile assets are a goldmine for enterprise ROI. The electronics resale market is one of the largest and fastest growing in the world, but timing matters, and mobile assets that sit in storage practically hemorrhage value. A common belief is that enterprise IT assets lose value gradually, meaning storing them in closets or spare warehouse space is harmless. In reality, the steepest drop in value occurs much more quickly. Immediately after decommissioning, the 90-day value cliff begins, and IT assets start to depreciate rapidly. Many organizations perform a quick reset and leave devices in storage, which accelerates the rate at which their value plummets. Delayed logistics and internal approval bottlenecks also contribute to rapid value loss. The ITAD process involves device grading and, if necessary, repairs. ITAD providers study resale market values, determine the best path for assets based on recovery value, and ensure clients get the most from their retired mobile devices. Partnering with an ITAD vendor eliminates the waiting period with proactive strategies designed for maximum ROI.
Meet Sustainability Initiatives Via Materials Recovery and Recycling
As IT asset management and disposition facilities, ITAD providers prioritize sustainability and support a circular economy model through device reuse. All assets not eligible for reuse are recycled; before that, each device is harvested for functional parts that can be used in other devices. Materials recovery helps extend the lifecycle of used devices, reducing the demand for new devices to be manufactured. Partnering with an ITAD provider will help companies check the sustainability box and improve their ESG performance.
ITAD Supports ESG Criteria with Reporting
Environmental awareness is spreading, and more companies are striving to meet new industry standards by adopting ESG goals. HOBI offers quantifiable data through ESG and Carbon Impact reports to help clients measure their environmental performance.
Partner with HOBI to Eliminate Potential Data and Value Loss Risks
As mobile IT continues to grow, it remains detrimental to enterprise asset value and data security. Without a proactive approach, companies can lose millions of dollars to data breaches and leak just as much in the form of deteriorating asset value. With the right strategy, retired assets can help fund IT refreshes, and ITAD providers are the key to making the perfect asset retirement plan that both protects data and increases asset value.
With more than 30 years of industry experience, HOBI is a leader in mobile IT solutions. Our R2v3, RIOS, ISO 14001, and NAID certifications ensure that all equipment is processed in full compliance with regulations and that all data is safe in our care.
Don’t let your smallest assets become your biggest liability. Contact HOBI today for a free consultation at 877-814-2620 or sales@hobi.com.