
Mobile data security and privacy awareness is growing at a rapid pace. With the ongoing conversation about individual data privacy between the FBI and Apple and rising numbers of mobile malware reports, enterprises are focusing on mobile security more than ever. Focusing on security during a device’s use is becoming most enterprise’s top IT priority, but one phase of security that is often forgotten is security after a device’s lifecycle.
Communicating the importance of data discretion with employees and maintaining the best data security possible can decrease changes of an information attack during a device’s use, but forgetting to adequately clear data from a device can lead to major vulnerabilities. A study conducted last year revealed many refurbished devices contained previous users’ data, and some were professional enough to identify the past user’s identity, including messages. emails and other media.
Running a standard factor reset can clear a device of most data, but there is always a chance of lingering data and recovery. For this reason, it’s imperative for companies to work with a certified electronics refurbishment company to ensure data is properly disposed of. Any businesses handling mobile devices should erase data up to NIST standards and have respective certifications.
HOBI International, Inc. is an R2, RIOS, ISO 14001 certified electronics refurbishment and recycling company. HOBI provides the best practices in data security and erasure, and has not had a single leak in more than 25 years of business.
In a mobile-centric world, data security paranoia is running rampant through all enterprises. Communicating risks and proper disclosure with executives and employees can reduce chances of an attack during mobile use, but adequate security doesn’t stop there. To ensure full data security, enterprises should always work with a trustworthy data erasure provider.