Data Privacy Day – Overlooked Devices, Real Data Risk
When organizations think about electronics recycling and IT asset disposition (ITAD), the focus is usually on the obvious risks — servers, laptops, and hard drives. But some of the most serious data security exposures come from devices that don’t get much attention.
Modems, printers, small networking equipment, and other peripheral devices often contain stored data, configuration files, credentials, or network information. These assets are easy to overlook during IT refreshes or decommissions. When they aren’t properly identified, tracked, and securely processed, they create data security risks that can go unnoticed until it’s too late. And small oversights can lead to big consequences.
In a well-known case, Morgan Stanley was fined $60 million after customer data was exposed through improperly decommissioned IT equipment handled by a third party. The issue wasn’t active systems — it was retired hardware that wasn’t securely managed through the end of its lifecycle.
That’s how these incidents usually happen. Not through sophisticated cyberattacks, but through gaps in process and overlooked equipment.
This is where the right ITAD partner matters. Strong asset identification, documented chain of custody, transparency, and R2v3 certification help ensure that all devices—not just the obvious ones—are handled securely and responsibly.
At Adams Cable Equipment, we take data security seriously across every stage of the equipment lifecycle. If you’re planning an IT refresh or decommission, now is the time to take a closer look at what might be getting missed. Give us a call at 913-888-5100 – you will be glad you did.
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Data Privacy Day – Overlooked Devices, Real Data Risk
