Retire & Recover

End-of-life infrastructure creates exposure if handled improperly—and opportunity if handled well.

The Challenge

End-of-life infrastructure creates exposure that most organizations underestimate. Hard drives containing
sensitive data end up in recycling streams without proper destruction. Equipment with residual
configurations reveals network architecture to whoever purchases it.

The regulatory landscape makes these risks more consequential every year. HIPAA, PCI-DSS, GDPR, state
privacy laws—each imposes requirements on how data must be destroyed and documented. The penalties
for non-compliance have teeth. And the reputational damage from a data breach traced to improper
decommissioning can dwarf the regulatory fines.

Yet decommissioning often receives less attention than any other lifecycle phase. It’s treated as cleanup
rather than risk management. Internal teams assigned to the work lack the certifications and equipment
that proper data destruction requires. The result is exposure that could have been avoided with proper
planning and execution.

End-of-life infrastructure creates compliance exposure if handled improperly—and opportunity if handled well.
Our certified destruction processes meet NIST SP 800-88 Rev 1 requirements. Our asset recovery programs
have returned significant value from equipment our clients assumed was worthless. And our documentation provides the audit trail regulated industries require.

How we Work

We approach decommissioning as a compliance and risk management exercise, not just an operational task.
Every engagement begins with understanding your regulatory requirements, data classification policies,
and documentation needs. What standards must destruction meet? What chain of custody documentation do your auditors
require? What timeline constraints exist?

Our destruction processes meet NIST SP 800-88 Rev 1 requirements and use NSA/CSS EPL-listed equipment
and procedures. Every asset is tracked from identification through final disposition. Certificates of destruction
document what was destroyed, when, by whom, and using what method—the audit trail that regulated
industries require.

Asset recovery programs identify value that clients often don’t realize exists. Equipment that seems obsolete
to one organization may have years of useful life for another. Revenue sharing arrangements mean proper
decommissioning can offset costs rather than just incur them. R2-certified recycling ensures that what can’t
be reused is disposed of responsibly.

Sevices

Decommissioning Services

End-of-life decommissioning
Equipment removal and logistics

E-Cycling & Asset Value Recovery

R2-certified e-cycling
Fair market value assessment

Certified Data Destruction

NIST SP 800-88 Rev 1 compliant destruction
Certificate of destruction documentation

Frequently asked Questions

What data destruction standards do you follow?

Our processes comply with NIST SP 800-88 Rev 1, which defines clear, media sanitization, and destruction methods appropriate for different data sensitivity levels. For classified or highly sensitive data, we use NSA/CSS EPL-listed destruction equipment and procedures. Every destruction event is documented with certificates that satisfy auditor requirements across regulated industries.

How much value can we recover from decommissioned equipment?

Recovery value varies significantly based on equipment age, condition, and market demand. Recent-generation servers and networking equipment can retain substantial value—sometimes enough to offset decommissioning costs entirely. Older equipment may have limited resale potential but still has commodity value for precious metals recovery. We provide fair market value assessments as part of our decommissioning process.

Can you handle decommissioning projects with tight deadlines?

Yes. Our Silicon Valley to Iceland project decommissioned 17,000 assets across three countries in 14 days. The Portland engagement completed an 80,000 sq ft facility decommission five days ahead of a deadline with six-figure penalty exposure. Aggressive timelines require additional resources and careful planning, but they’re achievable when the stakes justify the investment.

What documentation do we receive?

Documentation includes complete asset inventory with serial numbers, certificates of destruction for all media, chain-of-custody records, and final disposition reports showing what was destroyed, recycled, or remarketed. This documentation is designed to satisfy audit requirements for HIPAA, PCI-DSS, SOX, and other regulatory frameworks. We retain records for the periods your compliance requirements specify.

Do you handle hazardous materials?

Yes. Data center equipment often contains materials requiring special handling—batteries, certain display types, and components with hazardous substances. Our R2-certified recycling processes ensure proper handling and disposal in compliance with environmental regulations. We maintain the certifications and carrier relationships required for hazardous materials transport and disposal.

Can you work with our existing asset management systems?

Yes. We can import from and export to common asset management platforms, or work with spreadsheet-based tracking if that’s what you use. The key is establishing a clear starting inventory and maintaining accurate records throughout the decommissioning process. We reconcile our records against yours at project completion to ensure nothing is missed.