While a reset will make your files, photos and other materials “disappear,” it doesn’t remove the files themselves. Learn how to dispose of your old smart devices securely.

It’s tempting to turn in your old smartphone for the newer iPhone 11, but before you do, make sure you take sensitive data off your device. If you think a factory reset will take care of everything – think again. We’ve seen a lot of these devices coming in for destruction and it’s a smart move to make.

While you can do a factory reset, your files aren’t necessarily removed from the device’s storage. Cyber Security Expert Joseph Steinberg recommends using a third-party tool that wipes with better techniques than simply deleting encrypted files, “there are several such offerings on the market including ProtectStar’s iShredder for both Android and iOS, and Pinellas Codeworks for Android.” Now unless you’re going into the cyber security business, this might not be the right protocol for you.

If you’re the head of IT, impress upon the C-Suite the importance of total destruction and recycling of old devices. According to David Van Mullen, General Manager of SecurShred, “Just like hard drives, companies can’t rely on software alone to erase ALL data on smartphones and tablets.” SecurShred safely removes the lithium ion battery from these devices and securely shreds and responsibly recycles these devices.  This year, SecurShred achieved an endorsement by the National Association for Information Destruction for the destruction of Solid State Devices.

So go ahead – get that iPhone 11! But make sure you have a plan for secure destruction and preservation of your files with SecurShred.