The threat of ransomware is becoming increasingly prevalent as technology continues to advance. One of the biggest and most overlooked risks is the security gap created by retired IT assets. Retired IT assets pose a security risk because they may contain leftover data, which could lead to data leaks if they fall into the wrong hands. We have seen ransomware incidents in the past resulting from weak disposal practices, making it extremely important to focus on ITAD practices within your business to avoid these risks. We’re going to explore what a ransomware incident aftermath might look like and how you can prepare to avoid ransomware exposure at your organization.
How Ransomware Relates to IT Asset Disposition
ITAD can pose a significant ransomware risk if not done securely and properly. There are many ways ransomware relates to ITAD, and what can happen during a ransomware attack. Attackers typically look for a weak point in the ITAD process, which often occurs when data is not properly wiped. For example, attackers can exploit residual data from unwiped hard drives, improperly decommissioned servers, and repurposed devices that may still contain data.
Additionally, shadow IT and asset-tracking gaps are another weak point in ITAD. This leads to the loss of undocumented devices and can create asset complexity, leading to confusion about ITAD practices and improper disposal. With the addition of devices to the ITAD cycle, such as IoT devices, cloud-connected devices, or backup drives, these pose additional security risks due to their complexities.
What ITAD Weaknesses Were Revealed Through Ransomware Incidents?
Ransomware incidents have revealed some of the top ITAD weaknesses that are leading causes of these incidents. Knowing these weaknesses can help your organization better prepare to avoid them, and having a process in place to strengthen them within your ITAD process.
Poor Chain of Custody
Chain of custody is extremely important in ITAD because it tracks who has the devices at what time and what they are doing with them. It lays out who is responsible for what step in the ITAD process and ensures that everyone is accounted for and their work is documented. The weakness comes in when there are unsecured storage areas, inconsistent documentation, and third-party handling risks. Ensuring you have a solid chain of custody with proper documentation and security will help you avoid the security risks associated with it.
Incomplete Data Destruction
Data destruction must be performed in a specific way to ensure that all data has been wiped. Leftover data on these devices is one of the top causes of data leaks within the ITAD process, making it crucial to ensure this step is done correctly. If you are relying on manual wiping, this could be cause for concern, and it’s best to start implementing a more in-depth data wiping process. Additionally, you should have verification documentation and tracking for the devices so they are accounted for, and you know what has been disposed of and how it was disposed of.
Vendor Oversight
Choosing an ITAD vendor is a big decision for your business, as the vendor will be responsible for your disposal and decommissioning processes. If your vendor doesn’t conduct ITAD audits, doesn’t have certifications, or is just inadequate in their processes, it may be time to consider a new vendor. Having a vendor that is not qualified or that isn’t properly disposing of and clearing your devices can lead to a variety of issues within your business, including potential data leaks.
Lessons for ITAD Programs from Ransomware Incidents
Now that we’ve looked into the weaknesses revealed by ransomware attacks, we are going to explore the lessons from ransomware incidents. These lessons will help your organization better prepare for a secure, compliant ITAD process.
Standardized Decommissioning Protocols are Essential
It’s crucial to have formal procedures for device decommissioning and sanitization. Ensuring that your devices are properly cleared is essential to avoiding data leaks and ransomware attacks. Your organization should have a clear ITAD process with formal sanitization procedures, data destruction standards, and clear ownership responsibilities. Your ITAD process should be the same every time, and your ITAD vendor and internal team should know and understand it.
You Must Have Proof of Destruction
Proof of destruction, such as certificates and asset tracking, is nonnegotiable in your ITAD process. It’s vital to have proof of destruction to keep your process accounted for and to demonstrate compliance that your organization is following proper ITAD protocols. Your reporting systems should be stable, free from tampering, and consistently updated as devices move through each step of the IT asset disposition process, ensuring that every step is accounted for.
Document Chain of Custody
Documenting the chain of custody is not a choice; it is an expectation. The chain of custody will show who is handling the pickup and drop-off, who is sterilizing the devices, where they are, and which step of the process they are in. Your chain of custody should be documented end to end, with no step in the process left undocumented. It’s crucial to document this process for compliance and to provide proof that your ITAD process is foolproof.
Vendor Audits are Necessary
Before working with an ITAD vendor, it is important to audit their processes. This is nonnegotiable because working with an underqualified or uncertified ITAD vendor can pose significant risks to your organization’s data security, potentially leading to a data breach. Be sure your ITAD vendor has the proper certifications and documentation, and audit their entire process to ensure they are compliant and following all necessary protocols. You should audit your vendor before hiring them, and annually thereafter, to ensure their processes remain compliant.
Be Proactive in Your ITAD Strategies to Avoid Security Breaches
If an organization is using ITAD processes, you should know the areas most prone to data breaches and how to optimize your process to avoid them. It is important to ensure your process is optimized, secure, and documented so you are less likely to experience any data breach. Ransomware attacks are becoming increasingly common as technology advances, making it important to have your ITAD processes in place to avoid potential data privacy concerns.
