Technology changes on a daily basis. It will continue to evolve and become more advanced, meaning that old infrastructure and hardware systems will become obsolete. This leaves a pressing question for organizations: what do you do with old technology that is not needed anymore? This is where technology decommissioning plays a role.

There are a few scenarios in which technology decommissioning is common:

‍1) Moving or upgrading current office space

‍During a move or upgrade, a company will sometimes restructure the way an office is laid out and the systems that are used. Cloud storage has become a necessity, allowing secure storage of data and eliminating space allotment concerns. Utilizing cloud storage eliminates the need to buy new storage hardware, in turn saving money and time.

During relocation companies may be asked to leave the infrastructure in place for the next tenant. This would require decommissioning of the server room – shutting off power, flipping off switches to the air conditioning unit, and much more.

‍2) Acquisitions and Mergers

When organizations acquire or merge with other companies, many times there is a surplus of unused technology systems. Large organizations tend to have standards that are to be met with all new employees. This includes laptops, phones, projectors, data storage, and other equipment which may contain sensitive information.

Technology decommissioning encompasses a few different tasks: permanently deleting confidential data from hardware, disposing of hardware assets all together, and removal of the infrastructure set-up.In the event that hardware is being removed entirely, it’s important to utilize purge-level sanitation. This eliminates data from all storage regions on the media surface beyond laboratory reconstruction efforts. If the piece of hardware is to be destroyed, it is imperative to have a service contract to ensure your data is disposed of properly.