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Secure IT Asset Disposal Checklist
A practical checklist for retiring laptops, servers and storage without risking your data.
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Know what you have
Start with an inventory: make, model, serial number, location and whether the device stored sensitive data.
Back up first
Make sure any data you still need has been moved and verified before a device is wiped or removed.
Sanitise properly
Deleting files or formatting is not enough. Use an erase method suited to the media, or destroy it physically when it cannot be reused.
Choose the right outcome
Equipment with life left can be reused, refurbished or resold. The rest should be recycled through authorised channels.
Keep the paper trail
Keep itemised records of erasure, transfer and final disposal for audits.
Disposal checklist
- Inventory with serial numbers
- Data backed up and verified
- Storage erased or destroyed
- Authorised recycler used for end-of-life items
- Records filed for audit
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