Some of the most far-reaching digital connectivity hubs in the United States reside in the northeast portion of the country. Two of the three largest FTTP deployments are in the region. Soon, Virginia Beach will host a data center to accompany the very first transoceanic data transmission cables that will run all the way to Bilbao, Spain under the Atlantic ocean.As the next wave of data and information takes shape, more and more data centers will be cropping up across the country. Data centers that are already established will be seeing numerous changes and upgrades. The northeast is on track to lead the country. Keeping pace with trending patterns will be of the utmost importance in the coming years. As such, the demand for data center decommissions will spike. Data center professionals will need to integrate the latest technologies to keep ahead of the curve.

Growing Demand

The Virginia Beach transatlantic cables are a prime example of the larger scale change that is on the horizon. According to industry experts, Northern Virginia is the most active region of the country in the data center market. The region was a key player in the earliest stages of developing the infrastructure of the internet. As a result, a high concentration of data center professionals were drawn to the region.Experts also say demand for larger data center capacity is extremely high, especially with the prolific rise of cloud computing. The number of companies seeking data center space is beginning to outweigh the supply. Data centers are doing what they can to maintain the most modern technologies available to beat market saturation and accommodate a larger number of clients.To prevent demand from outpacing availability and remain a viable market leader, data center operators must be able to efficiently execute a decommission. Streamlining the data center decommissioning process is one of the most fundamental stages of progress.The best way to approach a data center decommissioning project is to first select a trusted ITAD vendor to work with on a long-term basis. Here are the questions you should be asking any potential vendors.

Questions to Ask

• Does the vendor offer thorough data destruction? It’s critical to make sure any ITAD specialist has a thorough data destruction process that wipes all information completely. The process must leave no trace of data behind for others to view or steal. Data wiping services like those provided by WipeOS (www.wipeos.com) use software that ensures a thorough destruction process and protects data security. Having a system of comprehensive, trackable reporting is also a part of data destruction. It enables clients to monitor and track progress and results.• Is the vendor certified? Data centers should ensure the ITAD specialist employed to perform a decommission is compliant with all environmental regulations and recycling standards. Specifically, R2 certification is a solid one to look for. It complies with standards not only in environmental and human safety but also in data security and integrity.• Does the vendor offer a secure chain of custody? This means maximum security from the time of decommission until data is destruction. The transportation should be trackable with a set team of handlers. Once the equipment reaches the processing facility, the ITAD specialist should require clearance to enter the secure area in which the equipment is kept.These are the minimum requirements to consider; it’s critical not to compromise them because they ensure protection of company assets, respect for privacy laws, complete data security, and minimize risk. This includes when equipment leaves the hands of data center operators.

Growing Benefits

A specialist can get to know your data center and maintain a working knowledge of the equipment and setup. This creates efficiency in the decommissioning process, promotes smoother transitions, and places focus on the upgraded technology itself. A dedicated ITAD vendor can even provide insight as to when and how to make the move to decommission. Data center operators remove the burden of logistics so they can focus on the future. For example, large-scale data centers can benefit from trusting a knowledgeable source with the logistics of a decommission. Consistency and reliability generate an atmosphere of trust and collaborative success for larger data center projects.By cutting back on risk and promoting trust, another benefit rises to the surface: higher returns on value. A reliable ITAD specialist can work to ensure return on the money invested in a data center. Higher returns on investment means greater access to the latest, most cutting edge data center technology. Investing the time and energy into properly selecting a vendor pays in the form of a high value return.Locating a certified ITAD specialist to work with on a repeat basis is a recommended approach, particularly for the dense market of the northeastern United States. OceanTech, an R2 certified vendor, has a location in Virginia. OceanTech offers a thorough data destruction process, a fully secure chain of custody, and a higher value return than many competitors. Turning to a specialist with the capacity to handle the industry’s growing demands is a valuable asset for any data center’s growth.