Decommissioning an IT System: Best Practices and Considerations

Best Practices for Decommissioning an IT System

Question

Prior to decommissioning an IT system, it is MOST important to:

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Explanations

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A. B. C. D.

D.

Prior to decommissioning an IT system, it is important to ensure that sensitive information is disposed of securely and that any remaining data is appropriately retained. The MOST important action to take in this regard is to review the data sanitization records, which document the process of removing data from storage media so that it cannot be recovered by unauthorized parties.

Data sanitization is a critical step in the decommissioning process because it helps to prevent data breaches, which can lead to legal and financial consequences for the organization. By ensuring that all data has been properly sanitized, organizations can protect their reputation, avoid legal liabilities, and demonstrate compliance with relevant regulations and standards.

In addition to reviewing data sanitization records, it is also important to review media disposal records, which document the secure disposal of any physical storage media, such as hard drives or tapes. This helps to ensure that no data can be recovered from discarded equipment.

Assessing compliance with the retention policy is also important because it helps to ensure that any necessary data is retained for the appropriate period of time, as required by regulations or organizational policies. This helps to prevent legal and financial consequences that can result from the improper destruction of data.

Assessing compliance with environmental regulations is also important, as IT equipment can contain hazardous materials that must be disposed of properly to avoid environmental harm.

In summary, while all of the options listed are important considerations prior to decommissioning an IT system, the MOST important action to take is to review the data sanitization records to ensure that sensitive data has been properly removed from storage media.