Blancco Autopilot Detection is the latest feature on the Blancco Drive Eraser, helping prevent data loss on devices enrolled in Unified Endpoint Management programs. | Rawpixel.com/Shutterstock
A new technology from Blancco Technology Group will allow ITADs and e-scrap recyclers to check if devices are enrolled in Unified Endpoint Management programs before performing data destruction.
Unified Endpoint Management programs are a software tool that allows companies to manage all of an organization’s devices from a single console. That means devices that are not unenrolled before being recycled or decommissioned can present an extra data safety risk, according to a Blancco press release. As soon as enrolled devices connect to a network, the system automatically synchronizes data between the device and the management server, even if the device’s data has been wiped.
ITADs previously had to manually identify devices registered to a Unified Endpoint Management program. The Blancco Autopilot Detection instead automatically flags those enrolled assets, allowing ITADs to remove them from the stream until the parent company can unenroll them.
After being unenrolled, the devices can be sanitized and prepared for reuse, donation or the secondary market as usual. Data security is an ever-growing concern among ITADs, recyclers and their customers.
The press release noted that 20% of the PCs and laptops processed by ITADs are registered to a Unified Endpoint Management program. Microsoft’s Autopilot and InTune systems are especially popular.
Russ Ernst, chief technology officer at Blancco, said Autopilot and InTune “do serve a useful purpose for IT administrators by simplifying redeployment of used devices.” Blancco’s new technology helps with peace of mind, “reducing the potential for human error and ensuring successful erasure before assets are resold.”
Blancco Autopilot Detection can be used with the Blancco Drive Eraser, which renders data permanently unrecoverable and “provides enterprises with proven, audit-ready and regulation-compliant data sanitization and scalable process workflows,” according to the release.