We’ve all been there—tossing an old laptop in a drawer, leaving an unused router plugged in, or stashing a pile of outdated hard drives in a storage closet. Out of sight, out of mind, right?
Not exactly.
Those “forgotten” IT devices may seem harmless, but they’re actually ticking time bombs when it comes to cybersecurity, compliance, and even e-waste. If you’re not tracking and properly disposing of old technology, you could be opening your business up to serious risks.
Let’s break it down.
Why Forgotten IT Devices Are a Big Problem
1. Outdated Hardware = Open Invitation for Hackers
Every device on your network—computers, servers, routers, even old printers—needs regular updates to stay secure. The problem? If you’re not tracking all your tech, you’re probably not updating all of it either.
- Old hardware doesn’t get security patches. If the manufacturer no longer supports a device, new vulnerabilities will never be fixed—leaving it wide open for cybercriminals.
- Hackers actively search for outdated systems. They know businesses overlook old, unused devices, making them easy entry points for a cyberattack.
- One vulnerable device can compromise your entire network. Even if it’s not in use, an old router or computer still connected to your network can be exploited.
Solution: Regular IT audits uncover forgotten devices before they become security risks. At EAS, we track and audit all retired IT assets to make sure no device is left unsecured.
2. Old Smartphones Are Data Goldmines for Cybercriminals
Let’s be honest—most of us have an old phone (or five) sitting in a drawer somewhere. But did you know that even after a factory reset, data can still be recovered from an older smartphone? Modern phone encryption is very strong, but older phones, those more than ~8 years, may not have been encrypted by default and data can sometimes be recoverable.
What’s on those forgotten phones?
- Emails, contacts, and saved passwords
- Confidential business data
- Banking and payment app information
If that device ends up in the wrong hands, it’s a security disaster waiting to happen.
Solution: Certified data destruction is the only way to ensure your sensitive information is truly gone. EAS provides secure smartphone and tablet wiping services that meet NIST 800-88 and DoD 5220.22-M standards.
3. Retired Hard Drives Still Hold Sensitive Data
Think of an old hard drive as a filing cabinet full of confidential documents—just because you don’t use it anymore doesn’t mean the data inside has disappeared.
- Many businesses throw away or sell computers without properly wiping the hard drives.
- Simply deleting files or formatting the drive isn’t enough—data can still be recovered.
- Hard drives left sitting in storage can easily be misplaced or stolen.
Solution: EAS provides certified hard drive destruction and secure IT asset tracking. We ensure that every device is accounted for and properly wiped, degaussed, or physically destroyed before disposal.
Why “Set and Forget” Isn’t an IT Strategy
At Electronic Asset Security (EAS), we specialize in IT auditing, IT asset disposition (ITAD), and secure disposal. We make sure your retired IT devices don’t become a liability by offering:
Comprehensive IT Auditing & Tracking – We track every audited device from pickup to final disposal, preventing loss, theft, or mishandling.
Certified Data Destruction – We follow NIST 800-88 and DoD 5220.22-M standards to ensure all sensitive data is wiped or destroyed.
Secure ITAD & E-Waste Recycling – Our R2v3-certified recycling process keeps hazardous materials out of Iowa’s landfills.
Asset Remarketing & Value Recovery – We refurbish and resell usable equipment so businesses can recover costs instead of tossing valuable hardware.
Don’t Let Forgotten Devices Put Your Business at Risk
If you’re not sure what IT assets you still have—or where they even are—it’s time to get an IT audit. Even if you have priced out ITAD before and balked at the cost, give us a call. Our central Iowa location helps keep costs down.
📞 Call us at 515-671-2161 or visit Electronic Asset Security to schedule an appointment.
Let’s make sure your old tech doesn’t become a security threat, a compliance risk, or an environmental hazard.