{"id":14105,"date":"2026-06-23T18:31:54","date_gmt":"2026-06-23T18:31:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/savethevideo.net\/blog\/?p=14105"},"modified":"2026-06-23T18:38:04","modified_gmt":"2026-06-23T18:38:04","slug":"what-is-itad-understanding-it-asset-disposition-compliance-and-data-security","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/savethevideo.net\/blog\/what-is-itad-understanding-it-asset-disposition-compliance-and-data-security\/","title":{"rendered":"What Is ITAD? Understanding IT Asset Disposition, Compliance, and Data Security"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Your old laptop may look harmless. It may even look tired. But it can still hold emails, passwords, customer files, invoices, photos, and secrets. That is why businesses need a smart plan for retiring technology. That plan is called <strong>ITAD<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p><strong>TLDR:<\/strong> <em>ITAD<\/em> means <strong>IT Asset Disposition<\/strong>. It is the safe process of removing, wiping, reselling, recycling, or destroying old tech. Good ITAD protects data, follows laws, and keeps electronic waste out of landfills. Think of it as a clean, secure goodbye party for your old devices.<\/p>\n<h2>What does ITAD mean?<\/h2>\n<p><strong>ITAD<\/strong> stands for <strong>IT Asset Disposition<\/strong>. That sounds fancy. It is not too scary.<\/p>\n<p>It simply means dealing with old IT equipment in a safe and responsible way.<\/p>\n<p>This can include:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Laptops<\/li>\n<li>Desktop computers<\/li>\n<li>Servers<\/li>\n<li>Hard drives<\/li>\n<li>Phones<\/li>\n<li>Tablets<\/li>\n<li>Networking gear<\/li>\n<li>Printers<\/li>\n<li>Storage devices<\/li>\n<li>Data center equipment<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>When these items are no longer useful, they still matter. They may contain data. They may have resale value. They may include parts that can be recycled. They may also contain materials that should not be dumped in the trash.<\/p>\n<p>So ITAD helps answer a simple question:<\/p>\n<p><strong>\u201cWhat should we do with this old tech?\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The answer should not be, \u201cPut it in a closet and hope for the best.\u201d That closet will become a graveyard of dusty laptops. Nobody wants that.<\/p>\nImage not found in postmeta<br \/>\n<h2>Why ITAD matters<\/h2>\n<p>Old technology can create big problems. It can also create hidden value. ITAD helps manage both.<\/p>\n<p>Here are the three big reasons ITAD matters:<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li><strong>Data security<\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong>Compliance<\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong>Environmental responsibility<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>Let\u2019s make that simple.<\/p>\n<p>If a company throws away a laptop without wiping it, someone could find sensitive data. That is bad. Very bad.<\/p>\n<p>If a company breaks privacy laws, it may face fines. Also bad.<\/p>\n<p>If old electronics end up in a landfill, they can harm the environment. That is also bad.<\/p>\n<p>ITAD helps avoid all of this. It gives businesses a clear process. It also gives them proof that the process was done correctly.<\/p>\n<h2>ITAD is not just recycling<\/h2>\n<p>Many people think ITAD means recycling old computers. Recycling is part of it. But ITAD is much bigger.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Recycling<\/strong> is about materials. It breaks devices down into parts like metal, plastic, and glass.<\/p>\n<p><strong>ITAD<\/strong> is about the full life cycle of retired technology. It includes tracking, data removal, resale, repair, reuse, recycling, and reporting.<\/p>\n<p>Think of recycling as one slice of pizza. ITAD is the whole pizza. Maybe with extra cheese.<\/p>\n<h2>What happens during the ITAD process?<\/h2>\n<p>A good ITAD process follows clear steps. Each step helps reduce risk.<\/p>\n<h3>1. Inventory and collection<\/h3>\n<p>First, the company identifies the equipment. Each item is counted. Serial numbers are recorded. Asset tags are checked.<\/p>\n<p>This creates a trail. It shows where each device came from and where it went.<\/p>\n<p>This is called <strong>chain of custody<\/strong>. It is like a passport for your device. It tells the story of its journey.<\/p>\n<h3>2. Transport<\/h3>\n<p>Next, the equipment is moved to a secure facility. This should not be random. It should be planned and tracked.<\/p>\n<p>Secure transport may include locked trucks, sealed containers, tracking systems, and trained staff.<\/p>\n<p>Why does this matter? Because devices can be lost in transit. And lost devices can mean lost data.<\/p>\n<h3>3. Data sanitization<\/h3>\n<p>This is one of the most important steps.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Data sanitization<\/strong> means removing data so it cannot be recovered. Not by a curious intern. Not by a hacker. Not by a bargain hunter at a flea market.<\/p>\n<p>There are a few common methods:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Data wiping:<\/strong> Software overwrites the data.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Degaussing:<\/strong> A strong magnetic field destroys data on certain drives.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Physical destruction:<\/strong> Drives are shredded, crushed, or drilled.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Different devices need different methods. A solid state drive is not the same as an old magnetic hard drive. Phones and tablets need special handling too.<\/p>\n<p>The goal is simple. <strong>No data left behind.<\/strong><\/p>\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1703\" src=\"https:\/\/savethevideo.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/why-format-a-hard-drive-or-ssd-scaled.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full\" alt=\"Why Format a Hard Drive or SSD\" srcset=\"https:\/\/savethevideo.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/why-format-a-hard-drive-or-ssd-scaled.jpg 2560w, https:\/\/savethevideo.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/why-format-a-hard-drive-or-ssd-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/savethevideo.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/why-format-a-hard-drive-or-ssd-1024x681.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/savethevideo.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/why-format-a-hard-drive-or-ssd-768x511.jpg 768w, https:\/\/savethevideo.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/why-format-a-hard-drive-or-ssd-1536x1022.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/savethevideo.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/why-format-a-hard-drive-or-ssd-2048x1363.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px\" \/>\n<h3>4. Testing and grading<\/h3>\n<p>After data is handled, the equipment may be tested. Does it turn on? Is the screen cracked? Is the battery alive? Is the keyboard sticky because someone spilled coffee?<\/p>\n<p>Devices are graded based on condition. Some can be resold. Some can be refurbished. Some can be used for parts. Some are ready for recycling.<\/p>\n<h3>5. Resale or reuse<\/h3>\n<p>If a device still works, it may have value. ITAD providers can help resell it. This can return money to the business.<\/p>\n<p>That old laptop may not be useful for a large company anymore. But it may be perfect for a student, a small business, or a repair shop.<\/p>\n<p>This is good for budgets. It is also good for the planet. Reuse is often better than recycling because it extends the life of the device.<\/p>\n<h3>6. Recycling<\/h3>\n<p>If equipment cannot be reused, it should be recycled correctly.<\/p>\n<p>Electronics can contain copper, aluminum, gold, silver, plastics, and other materials. They can also contain substances that must be handled carefully.<\/p>\n<p>A responsible ITAD provider sends materials to certified recycling facilities. This helps prevent illegal dumping and unsafe processing.<\/p>\n<h3>7. Reporting and certificates<\/h3>\n<p>At the end, the business should receive documentation.<\/p>\n<p>This may include:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Asset reports<\/li>\n<li>Serial number lists<\/li>\n<li>Data destruction certificates<\/li>\n<li>Recycling certificates<\/li>\n<li>Resale reports<\/li>\n<li>Chain of custody records<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>These reports are important. They prove the job was done. They help with audits. They help teams sleep better at night.<\/p>\n<h2>Data security and ITAD<\/h2>\n<p>Data security is the heart of ITAD. It is the big boss level.<\/p>\n<p>When a device leaves your building, the data should not leave with it. If it does, there could be trouble.<\/p>\n<p>Old devices may contain:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Customer names<\/li>\n<li>Employee records<\/li>\n<li>Health data<\/li>\n<li>Financial reports<\/li>\n<li>Passwords<\/li>\n<li>Saved browser data<\/li>\n<li>Emails<\/li>\n<li>Source code<\/li>\n<li>Business plans<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Even \u201cbroken\u201d devices can still expose data. A laptop with a dead screen may still have a working drive. A server that will not boot may still contain readable storage.<\/p>\n<p>This is why ITAD should never rely on guesswork.<\/p>\n<p>A strong ITAD program uses approved data destruction methods. Many businesses follow standards such as <strong>NIST 800-88<\/strong>. This guideline explains how to sanitize media securely.<\/p>\n<p>The best approach depends on the device, storage type, risk level, and legal needs.<\/p>\n<h2>Compliance: the rulebook part<\/h2>\n<p>Compliance means following laws, rules, and industry standards. It may sound boring. But it is very important.<\/p>\n<p>Many organizations handle sensitive data. That means they must protect it, even when devices are retired.<\/p>\n<p>Common regulations and frameworks may include:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>GDPR<\/strong> for personal data in the European Union<\/li>\n<li><strong>HIPAA<\/strong> for health information in the United States<\/li>\n<li><strong>PCI DSS<\/strong> for payment card data<\/li>\n<li><strong>SOX<\/strong> for certain financial controls<\/li>\n<li><strong>State privacy laws<\/strong> that protect consumer data<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>If a device is tossed without proper data removal, the company may still be responsible. \u201cWe forgot\u201d is not a strong legal defense. It is also not very cool.<\/p>\n<p>Good ITAD helps companies show they took reasonable steps. The reports and certificates become proof. They show what was processed, when it was processed, and how data was destroyed.<\/p>\n<p>This is especially useful during audits. Auditors love records. They eat them for breakfast. Not literally, we hope.<\/p>\n<h2>What is a certified ITAD provider?<\/h2>\n<p>A certified ITAD provider is a company that follows recognized standards. Certifications help show that the provider uses safe and responsible practices.<\/p>\n<p>Two common certifications are:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>R2<\/strong>, which focuses on responsible electronics reuse and recycling<\/li>\n<li><strong>e-Stewards<\/strong>, which focuses on ethical electronics recycling<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>These certifications are not magic shields. But they are useful signs. They show that a provider has been reviewed against specific requirements.<\/p>\n<p>When choosing a provider, ask questions.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>How do you track assets?<\/li>\n<li>How do you destroy data?<\/li>\n<li>Do you provide certificates?<\/li>\n<li>Are you certified?<\/li>\n<li>Where does recycled material go?<\/li>\n<li>Do you use downstream partners?<\/li>\n<li>Can you support audits?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>A good provider will answer clearly. A sketchy provider will wave their hands and say, \u201cDon\u2019t worry about it.\u201d You should worry about that.<\/p>\n<h2>ITAD and the environment<\/h2>\n<p>Electronic waste is a big deal. It is often called <strong>e waste<\/strong>. It is one of the fastest growing waste streams in the world.<\/p>\n<p>Old devices should not be dumped in landfills. They may contain materials that can pollute soil and water. They also contain valuable resources that can be reused.<\/p>\n<p>ITAD supports a <strong>circular economy<\/strong>. That means products and materials stay in use longer.<\/p>\n<p>Instead of this:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Buy<\/li>\n<li>Use<\/li>\n<li>Throw away<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>ITAD supports this:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Buy<\/li>\n<li>Use<\/li>\n<li>Reuse<\/li>\n<li>Repair<\/li>\n<li>Resell<\/li>\n<li>Recycle<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>That is a much happier loop. The planet approves.<\/p>\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1080\" height=\"720\" src=\"https:\/\/savethevideo.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/green-and-black-circuit-board-soldering-electronics-step-by-step-soldering-iron-flux-application.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/savethevideo.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/green-and-black-circuit-board-soldering-electronics-step-by-step-soldering-iron-flux-application.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/savethevideo.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/green-and-black-circuit-board-soldering-electronics-step-by-step-soldering-iron-flux-application-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/savethevideo.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/green-and-black-circuit-board-soldering-electronics-step-by-step-soldering-iron-flux-application-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/savethevideo.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/green-and-black-circuit-board-soldering-electronics-step-by-step-soldering-iron-flux-application-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1080px) 100vw, 1080px\" \/>\n<h2>ITAD for small businesses<\/h2>\n<p>ITAD is not only for giant companies with huge data centers. Small businesses need it too.<\/p>\n<p>A small law office may have client files on old laptops. A dental office may have patient records. A shop may have payment data on old point of sale devices.<\/p>\n<p>Small businesses can face big risks if data is exposed.<\/p>\n<p>The good news is that ITAD can be simple. Start with a basic plan.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Keep a list of all devices.<\/li>\n<li>Do not throw devices in the trash.<\/li>\n<li>Remove company data before disposal.<\/li>\n<li>Use a trusted ITAD provider.<\/li>\n<li>Save all certificates and reports.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>You do not need a 200 page policy on day one. You just need a smart process that people can follow.<\/p>\n<h2>Common ITAD mistakes<\/h2>\n<p>ITAD mistakes are easy to make. They can be expensive too.<\/p>\n<p>Watch out for these:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Storing old devices forever:<\/strong> Closets are not security systems.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Forgetting mobile devices:<\/strong> Phones can hold lots of data.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Using regular trash services:<\/strong> Electronics need special handling.<\/li>\n<li><strong>No documentation:<\/strong> If you cannot prove it, it may not count.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Poor data wiping:<\/strong> Deleting files is not enough.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Ignoring leased equipment:<\/strong> Returned devices still need data protection.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Here is a simple rule. If it stored data, treat it carefully.<\/p>\n<h2>How to build a simple ITAD policy<\/h2>\n<p>An ITAD policy does not need to be painful. Keep it clear. Keep it useful.<\/p>\n<p>Include these parts:<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li><strong>Scope:<\/strong> What devices are covered?<\/li>\n<li><strong>Roles:<\/strong> Who is responsible?<\/li>\n<li><strong>Inventory:<\/strong> How are assets tracked?<\/li>\n<li><strong>Data handling:<\/strong> How is data wiped or destroyed?<\/li>\n<li><strong>Vendor rules:<\/strong> Which providers may be used?<\/li>\n<li><strong>Documentation:<\/strong> What records must be kept?<\/li>\n<li><strong>Review schedule:<\/strong> When will the policy be updated?<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>Make the policy easy to follow. If it is too complex, people will ignore it. The best policy is one that works in real life.<\/p>\n<h2>The money side of ITAD<\/h2>\n<p>ITAD is not only a cost. It can also recover value.<\/p>\n<p>Many devices still have resale value. Laptops, servers, memory, processors, and networking gear may be resold after secure data removal.<\/p>\n<p>This can reduce the total cost of ITAD. In some cases, companies may receive a revenue share or credit.<\/p>\n<p>But be careful. Do not choose a provider only because they offer the most money. Security and compliance come first. A cheap shortcut can become an expensive disaster.<\/p>\n<p>Value recovery is great. Data leaks are not.<\/p>\n<h2>Final thoughts<\/h2>\n<p>ITAD is the safe, smart, and responsible way to retire technology. It protects data. It helps meet rules. It supports recycling and reuse. It can even return value.<\/p>\n<p>Old devices are not just junk. They are tiny treasure chests of parts, data, and risk. Treat them with care.<\/p>\n<p>So the next time a laptop wheezes its final beep, do not toss it in a drawer. Give it a proper sendoff. Use ITAD. Your data, your auditors, your budget, and the planet will thank you.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Your old laptop may look harmless. It may even look tired. But it can still hold emails, passwords, customer files, invoices, photos, and secrets. That is why businesses need a &#8230; <\/p>\n<p class=\"read-more-container\"><a title=\"What Is ITAD? Understanding IT Asset Disposition, Compliance, and Data Security\" class=\"read-more button\" href=\"https:\/\/savethevideo.net\/blog\/what-is-itad-understanding-it-asset-disposition-compliance-and-data-security\/#more-14105\" aria-label=\"Read more about What Is ITAD? Understanding IT Asset Disposition, Compliance, and Data Security\">Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":88,"featured_media":8408,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[495],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-14105","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-blog","generate-columns","tablet-grid-50","mobile-grid-100","grid-parent","grid-50","no-featured-image-padding"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v23.4 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>What Is ITAD? Understanding IT Asset Disposition, Compliance, and Data Security - Save the Video Blog<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/savethevideo.net\/blog\/what-is-itad-understanding-it-asset-disposition-compliance-and-data-security\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"What Is ITAD? Understanding IT Asset Disposition, Compliance, and Data Security - Save the Video Blog\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Your old laptop may look harmless. It may even look tired. But it can still hold emails, passwords, customer files, invoices, photos, and secrets. That is why businesses need a ... Read more\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/savethevideo.net\/blog\/what-is-itad-understanding-it-asset-disposition-compliance-and-data-security\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Save the Video Blog\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2026-06-23T18:31:54+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2026-06-23T18:38:04+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/savethevideo.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/why-format-a-hard-drive-or-ssd-scaled.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"2560\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"1703\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Jonathan Dough\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Jonathan Dough\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"9 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/savethevideo.net\/blog\/what-is-itad-understanding-it-asset-disposition-compliance-and-data-security\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/savethevideo.net\/blog\/what-is-itad-understanding-it-asset-disposition-compliance-and-data-security\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Jonathan Dough\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/savethevideo.net\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/2fd5bb6675327a328b726eb409570700\"},\"headline\":\"What Is ITAD? Understanding IT Asset Disposition, Compliance, and Data Security\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-06-23T18:31:54+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-06-23T18:38:04+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/savethevideo.net\/blog\/what-is-itad-understanding-it-asset-disposition-compliance-and-data-security\/\"},\"wordCount\":1895,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/savethevideo.net\/blog\/#organization\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/savethevideo.net\/blog\/what-is-itad-understanding-it-asset-disposition-compliance-and-data-security\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/savethevideo.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/why-format-a-hard-drive-or-ssd-scaled.jpg\",\"articleSection\":[\"Blog\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/savethevideo.net\/blog\/what-is-itad-understanding-it-asset-disposition-compliance-and-data-security\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/savethevideo.net\/blog\/what-is-itad-understanding-it-asset-disposition-compliance-and-data-security\/\",\"name\":\"What Is ITAD? Understanding IT Asset Disposition, Compliance, and Data Security - Save the Video Blog\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/savethevideo.net\/blog\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/savethevideo.net\/blog\/what-is-itad-understanding-it-asset-disposition-compliance-and-data-security\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/savethevideo.net\/blog\/what-is-itad-understanding-it-asset-disposition-compliance-and-data-security\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/savethevideo.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/why-format-a-hard-drive-or-ssd-scaled.jpg\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-06-23T18:31:54+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-06-23T18:38:04+00:00\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/savethevideo.net\/blog\/what-is-itad-understanding-it-asset-disposition-compliance-and-data-security\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/savethevideo.net\/blog\/what-is-itad-understanding-it-asset-disposition-compliance-and-data-security\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/savethevideo.net\/blog\/what-is-itad-understanding-it-asset-disposition-compliance-and-data-security\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/savethevideo.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/why-format-a-hard-drive-or-ssd-scaled.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/savethevideo.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/why-format-a-hard-drive-or-ssd-scaled.jpg\",\"width\":2560,\"height\":1703,\"caption\":\"Why Format a Hard Drive or SSD\"},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/savethevideo.net\/blog\/what-is-itad-understanding-it-asset-disposition-compliance-and-data-security\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/savethevideo.net\/blog\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"What Is ITAD? Understanding IT Asset Disposition, Compliance, and Data Security\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/savethevideo.net\/blog\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/savethevideo.net\/blog\/\",\"name\":\"Save the Video Blog\",\"description\":\"Everything you need to know about videos\",\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/savethevideo.net\/blog\/#organization\"},\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\/\/savethevideo.net\/blog\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/savethevideo.net\/blog\/#organization\",\"name\":\"Save the Video Blog\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/savethevideo.net\/blog\/\",\"logo\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/savethevideo.net\/blog\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/savethevideo.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/cropped-stv-logo.png\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/savethevideo.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/cropped-stv-logo.png\",\"width\":500,\"height\":119,\"caption\":\"Save the Video Blog\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/savethevideo.net\/blog\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/\"}},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/savethevideo.net\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/2fd5bb6675327a328b726eb409570700\",\"name\":\"Jonathan Dough\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/savethevideo.net\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/9afc32c64534e0fac8123f418680cd8c214b1c82b9a0e765b34eddf7636ede6d?s=96&d=monsterid&r=g\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/9afc32c64534e0fac8123f418680cd8c214b1c82b9a0e765b34eddf7636ede6d?s=96&d=monsterid&r=g\",\"caption\":\"Jonathan Dough\"},\"url\":\"https:\/\/savethevideo.net\/blog\/author\/jonathand\/\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"What Is ITAD? Understanding IT Asset Disposition, Compliance, and Data Security - Save the Video Blog","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/savethevideo.net\/blog\/what-is-itad-understanding-it-asset-disposition-compliance-and-data-security\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"What Is ITAD? Understanding IT Asset Disposition, Compliance, and Data Security - Save the Video Blog","og_description":"Your old laptop may look harmless. It may even look tired. But it can still hold emails, passwords, customer files, invoices, photos, and secrets. That is why businesses need a ... Read more","og_url":"https:\/\/savethevideo.net\/blog\/what-is-itad-understanding-it-asset-disposition-compliance-and-data-security\/","og_site_name":"Save the Video Blog","article_published_time":"2026-06-23T18:31:54+00:00","article_modified_time":"2026-06-23T18:38:04+00:00","og_image":[{"width":2560,"height":1703,"url":"https:\/\/savethevideo.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/why-format-a-hard-drive-or-ssd-scaled.jpg","type":"image\/jpeg"}],"author":"Jonathan Dough","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"Jonathan Dough","Est. reading time":"9 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/savethevideo.net\/blog\/what-is-itad-understanding-it-asset-disposition-compliance-and-data-security\/#article","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/savethevideo.net\/blog\/what-is-itad-understanding-it-asset-disposition-compliance-and-data-security\/"},"author":{"name":"Jonathan Dough","@id":"https:\/\/savethevideo.net\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/2fd5bb6675327a328b726eb409570700"},"headline":"What Is ITAD? Understanding IT Asset Disposition, Compliance, and Data Security","datePublished":"2026-06-23T18:31:54+00:00","dateModified":"2026-06-23T18:38:04+00:00","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/savethevideo.net\/blog\/what-is-itad-understanding-it-asset-disposition-compliance-and-data-security\/"},"wordCount":1895,"publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/savethevideo.net\/blog\/#organization"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/savethevideo.net\/blog\/what-is-itad-understanding-it-asset-disposition-compliance-and-data-security\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/savethevideo.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/why-format-a-hard-drive-or-ssd-scaled.jpg","articleSection":["Blog"],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/savethevideo.net\/blog\/what-is-itad-understanding-it-asset-disposition-compliance-and-data-security\/","url":"https:\/\/savethevideo.net\/blog\/what-is-itad-understanding-it-asset-disposition-compliance-and-data-security\/","name":"What Is ITAD? Understanding IT Asset Disposition, Compliance, and Data Security - Save the Video Blog","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/savethevideo.net\/blog\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/savethevideo.net\/blog\/what-is-itad-understanding-it-asset-disposition-compliance-and-data-security\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/savethevideo.net\/blog\/what-is-itad-understanding-it-asset-disposition-compliance-and-data-security\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/savethevideo.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/why-format-a-hard-drive-or-ssd-scaled.jpg","datePublished":"2026-06-23T18:31:54+00:00","dateModified":"2026-06-23T18:38:04+00:00","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/savethevideo.net\/blog\/what-is-itad-understanding-it-asset-disposition-compliance-and-data-security\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/savethevideo.net\/blog\/what-is-itad-understanding-it-asset-disposition-compliance-and-data-security\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/savethevideo.net\/blog\/what-is-itad-understanding-it-asset-disposition-compliance-and-data-security\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/savethevideo.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/why-format-a-hard-drive-or-ssd-scaled.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/savethevideo.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/why-format-a-hard-drive-or-ssd-scaled.jpg","width":2560,"height":1703,"caption":"Why Format a Hard Drive or SSD"},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/savethevideo.net\/blog\/what-is-itad-understanding-it-asset-disposition-compliance-and-data-security\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/savethevideo.net\/blog\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"What Is ITAD? Understanding IT Asset Disposition, Compliance, and Data Security"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/savethevideo.net\/blog\/#website","url":"https:\/\/savethevideo.net\/blog\/","name":"Save the Video Blog","description":"Everything you need to know about videos","publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/savethevideo.net\/blog\/#organization"},"potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/savethevideo.net\/blog\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/savethevideo.net\/blog\/#organization","name":"Save the Video Blog","url":"https:\/\/savethevideo.net\/blog\/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/savethevideo.net\/blog\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/savethevideo.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/cropped-stv-logo.png","contentUrl":"https:\/\/savethevideo.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/cropped-stv-logo.png","width":500,"height":119,"caption":"Save the Video Blog"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/savethevideo.net\/blog\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/"}},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/savethevideo.net\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/2fd5bb6675327a328b726eb409570700","name":"Jonathan Dough","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/savethevideo.net\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/9afc32c64534e0fac8123f418680cd8c214b1c82b9a0e765b34eddf7636ede6d?s=96&d=monsterid&r=g","contentUrl":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/9afc32c64534e0fac8123f418680cd8c214b1c82b9a0e765b34eddf7636ede6d?s=96&d=monsterid&r=g","caption":"Jonathan Dough"},"url":"https:\/\/savethevideo.net\/blog\/author\/jonathand\/"}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/savethevideo.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14105","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/savethevideo.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/savethevideo.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/savethevideo.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/88"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/savethevideo.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=14105"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/savethevideo.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14105\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":14106,"href":"https:\/\/savethevideo.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14105\/revisions\/14106"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/savethevideo.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/8408"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/savethevideo.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=14105"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/savethevideo.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=14105"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/savethevideo.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=14105"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}