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RSS feedsBritish IT leaders are struggling to get to grips with regulations governing the disposal of electrical equipment, with nearly three-quarters admitting they had no idea that legislation was in force.
According to a study by data recovery vendor Kroll Ontrack, 73 per cent of IT professionals were unaware of the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) regulations which finally came into force in the UK in January 2007.
“The fact that so many companies still haven’t got to grips with the WEEE directive could spell danger,” said Phil Bridge, managing director of Kroll Ontrack. “In addition to failing to comply with regulations, companies could also be putting sensitive data at risk.”
The research indicated that half of all businesses use some form of data deletion technology to ensure end-of-life equipment does not contain sensitive information.
But Bridge suggested much of the deletion technology being used was not fit for purpose.
“The data deletion market is saturated with solutions that promise to delete data. However, the effects of many products can easily be reversed by computer experts, leaving data vulnerable to attack or misuse. Using a Government or Infosec accredited product is the only way to ensure delete really means permanently deleted, unrecoverable,” he said.
See also:
Hardware giant predicts demand for its paid-for asset disposal services will remain solid despite new WEEE legislation 19 Jul 2007
Computer Aid International has launched a new best practice guide and asset tracking for WEEE compliance 29 Jun 2007Environment Agency claims "major producers" are signed up to WEEE compliance schemes ahead of July deadline 05 Jun 2007
Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment regulations have passed into UK law 02 Jan 2007
Inadequate planning for the UK's upcoming recycling law may cause legal headaches for firms 04 Sep 2006All IT Management
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