As the days get shorter and jack-o-lanterns are swapped out for hand drawn turkeys, our thoughts naturally turn to the holiday season. For most, Thanksgiving is a time to gather around the table with loved ones, share gratitude and, of course, a hearty meal. However, hackers and other malicious actors are thankful for something else. While you’re contemplating whether to brine or deep-fry your turkey, they are plotting ways to take advantage of businesses who’ve inadvertently left them a buffet of data to help themselves to.

The holiday season can bring mixed blessings. On the one hand, it’s a time for you and your team to relax and celebrate with family. On the other, it’s a period when your company is particularly vulnerable to data breaches and cyberattacks. The reason is simple; many companies operate with reduced staff during the holidays, leaving fewer eyes monitoring for physical and cyber security breaches. Additionally, the rush to meet end of year deadlines can result in lapses in data security protocols.

Now, what does all this have to do with Thanksgiving? The simple answer is, just as you wouldn’t invite a stranger to your family dinner, you shouldn’t leave your sensitive data exposed to unauthorized access.

Your Secret Recipe for Data Protection Success

One of the most effective methods for protecting your sensitive information is shredding, both of hard drives and optical media. Imagine taking your confidential files, whether they’re stored on a hard drive or on CDs, and not just deleting them but tearing them into unrecognizable bits and pieces. That’s essentially what both hard drive and optical media shredding accomplishes. It’s like taking your secret pumpkin pie recipe written on paper and running it through a shredder, only far more thorough. For example, our Optical Media Destruction Device HSM 411.2 Cross Cut Shredder, reduces CDs and other optical into tiny 43/50 x 157/1000 pieces.

E-waste management, or IT asset disposition (ITAD), is another essential aspect of risk management to consider over the holiday. The decommissioned electronics that are gathering dust in your storage room are more than just an eyesore, they’re a potential security risk. The same can be said for old equipment that you place in standard trash cans and dumpsters. Our e-waste recycling services ensure that any data storage components are completely destroyed, leaving no trace of your sensitive information. You and your team can also be thankful for our sustainable practices that contribute to a green future for all.

But what if you’re planning to repurpose or donate your old devices? In that case, secure data wiping is the route to take. This process involves overwriting your existing data, rendering it irretrievable. The process uses the same logic as erasing a physical footprint in the sand by sweeping it away, then stomping around to create a new, indecipherable set of prints. Our data wiping services adhere to the highest industry standards, including those outlined by HIPAA, Gramm-Leach-Bliley and other applicable legislation – ensuring that hackers don’t get one byte of your information.

Our Cornucopia of Qualifications

As you prepare for a season of gratitude and giving, consider giving yourself the gift of security and peace of mind. Choose a reputable electronics recycling company well in advance of the holiday rush. Some key ingredients to look for when selecting a partner include membership to NAID (The National Association for Information Destruction) as well as of RIOS and R2v3 certificates for sustainable recycling. At PC Survivors, we are proud to hold each of these distinctions. Let us help you set the table for success as your data destruction service provider. You’ll be thankful that you did.

Call us at 781-924-3071, email info@pcsmass.com or visit our contact page to learn more about data destruction techniques for your business.