ITAD Glossary

What is IT asset disposition (ITAD)?

IT asset disposition (ITAD) is the process of retiring IT equipment securely and responsibly. It covers collecting devices, erasing or destroying the data on them, reselling or redeploying what still has value, and recycling the rest, with records that prove what happened to each asset.

IT asset disposition (ITAD)

Why it matters for IT and security teams

Retired laptops, servers and phones still hold data and resale value. Without a defined ITAD process, equipment sits in storage while data stays exposed and value drops. Auditors and regulators also expect proof of how each device was handled.

IT asset disposition (ITAD)

How it works

  • Inventory and pickup, with each device recorded by serial number.
  • Data sanitization or physical destruction.
  • Testing and grading of devices that can be reused.
  • Resale, redeployment or parts harvesting.
  • Recycling of everything else through certified downstream vendors.
  • Reporting, including certificates of destruction.

IT asset disposition (ITAD)

How HOBI handles it

HOBI International, Inc. provides ITAD for IT, mobile and data center equipment from company-owned facilities in Batavia, Dallas and Phoenix, each certified to R2v3, RIOS and ISO 14001. Data is erased with HOBI Shield, HOBI’s own erasure software, and drives that cannot be erased are physically destroyed.

Questions

Frequently asked questions

IT asset management (ITAM) tracks hardware during its working life. ITAD starts when an asset is retired and covers data destruction, resale, recycling and the records that prove compliance.

No. Recycling is one step of ITAD. ITAD also covers data security, value recovery and documentation.

Look for R2v3 and RIOS or ISO 14001 for environmental and operational controls, and NAID AAA for data destruction.

Keep learning

Related terms and services

Need help retiring IT equipment?

Talk to HOBI about secure data destruction, value recovery and certified recycling, or call 877-814-2620.

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