{"id":24152,"date":"2023-01-17T10:32:47","date_gmt":"2023-01-17T15:32:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/quantumlifecycle.com\/?p=24152"},"modified":"2023-09-06T08:57:08","modified_gmt":"2023-09-06T12:57:08","slug":"a-guide-to-locked-devices-electronics-recycling","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/quantumlifecycle.com\/en_CA\/blog\/a-guide-to-locked-devices-electronics-recycling\/","title":{"rendered":"A Guide to Locked Devices & Electronics Recycling"},"content":{"rendered":"

As cybersecurity threats evolve, many businesses have implemented device security features such as locks to prevent sensitive data from getting into the wrong hands. While this can be an effective cybersecurity measure, it can also present challenges when it comes time to process your devices at the end of their lifespan. In order to refurbish<\/a> your devices and therefore maximize their value, our electronics recycling<\/a> professionals here at Quantum must be able to access them. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to ensure your devices are ready for refurbishment without compromising security.<\/p>\n

The Challenges of Locked Devices<\/h2>\n

To ensure the greatest level of data protection<\/a>, security features can be added to many different devices, including laptops, desktops, smartphones, and tablets. Each brand and business may have its own unique security features, from passcodes to firmware locks. For example, Apple products will have different security features than a Windows, Android, or Chromebook product. Some assets also have remote device management in place, a feature managed by corporate IT in conjunction with a third party, which must be deactivated remotely.<\/p>\n

Modern IT teams focus on mobile device management<\/a> (MDM) as one of their core IT practices. Most MDM solutions can now manage almost any device or endpoint in the workplace environment, a practice known as \u201cunified endpoint management.\u201d Using an MDM solution will help prevent security threats, as you can streamline managing and securing apps and content and access to sensitive data. Specifically, MDMs activate device security locks that prevent the reuse<\/a> of these devices outside the original organization if not removed prior to retirement. Since these locks are mainly cloud-based, they can\u2019t be removed at the device level.<\/p>\n

All of these features do an effective job of making data more difficult for would-be cybercriminals to access. Yet, these safeguards lock everyone out \u2014\u00a0not just bad actors. With so many different possible security features, our team doesn\u2019t know which we may encounter. In some cases, certain security features can prevent us from being able to erase data from the unit or reselling it, which in turn stops your business from getting the most value from its investments and reducing its carbon footprint<\/a>.<\/p>\n

What to Do if You Have Locked Devices to Recycle<\/h2>\n

The good news is that there are still ways to keep end-of-life<\/a> devices secure while preparing them for refurbishment or recycling<\/a>. Depending on the type of locks that are in place, here are several options to consider:<\/p>\n