Guest Blog: Permanent data erasure – are concerns about security alarmist?

Today we’re happy to host a guest post from Dr.DataRecovery at Kroll Ontrack. Computer Aid uses Kroll Ontrack’s Eraser software to data wipe all equipment received in donation from our supporters in the UK. The software holds NATO, US & various European government accreditations – find out more at the official website.

Businesses face multiple challenges when disposing of their end-of-life data and hardware. One reason is the need to meet a range of legal requirements or else face a hefty fine of up to £500,000 from the Information Commissioner’s Office. With this considerable fine in mind, data deletion and destruction should be carefully reviewed and implemented in all companies.

What are your thoughts on data security?

We’ve put together a quick five-question survey on data security to help us understand and allay concerns you may have about donating computers to charity – if you have a few minutes to spare this afternoon it would be greatly appreciated!

Click here to take part!

Coders4Africa Egerton University Boot Camp December 2012

Kristen Houlton has worked with the Nairobi part of the Computer Aid team as Training Coordinator, facilitating workshops and working with organisations such as Coders4Africa to put on a series of boot camps for burgeoning programmers. Here’s her summary of the Egerton University Boot Camp which took place on the 12th of December in Nairobi, Kenya.

Members of the Kenya Chapter of Coders4Africa (C4A), in conjunction with Computer Aid International, traveled to Egerton University, Njoro Town outside of Nakuru to deliver our first-ever Mobile and web Boot Camp to the students there. The training involved Egerton students, most involved in IT programs. This Mobile and web Boot Camp was funded through a cost-sharing arrangement between Coders4Africa USA (primary), Computer Aid and Egerton University…

Refurbished IT – Waste or Product? Obstacles to the Digital Divide

How IT waste is legally defined or simply understood will increasingly cause conflicts. UK regional differences, lack of global consistency on e-waste laws and illegal practices all compromise the perceived and actual value of old IT. Yet computer reuse can be 20 times more energy efficient than recycling – so how can this be called waste?

At this year’s ICT for Sustainability Conference in London we hosted a roundtable discussion centering on this issue, encouraging a discussion from all sides. Chairing the day’s discussion was Phil Conran of 360 Environmental.

Opening remarks, "There are potential conflicting requirements from the developing world and the developed" #WasteOrNot—
Computer Aid (@Computer_Aid) November 13, 2012

Upgrading to replace ICT equipment with the latest technology is ever-present in developed countries, resulting in Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) becoming one of the largest growing waste streams. The demand for equipment to address the growing digital divide is ongoing as well, but with governmental regulations in Europe imposing requirements to recycle items deemed as ‘waste’ rather than refurbish and reuse them, are we missing an opportunity to extend the life of good equipment, mitigate a growing waste problem, and make positive change in communities with limited access to ICT?

Computer Aid International PCs supporting medical students in Ethiopia

Over the past three years Computer Aid International has supplied computers to the Africa Medical College in Ethiopia. The college provides medical education on a host of topics from medicine degrees to comprehensive nursing training.

The computers have been used for classroom teaching and learning, internet access and for use in the offices. A fourth year pharmacy student, Abera Bexabih noted, “I work much faster when I prepare and arrange my notes and I communicate easily with my colleagues using wireless internet services.”

Staff are pleased as well, as administrator Solomon Shawel comments, “the students now have easy access to e-books, I can collect, process and store data about the college and I can easily communicate with the outside world.”

To read case studies on the recipients of Computer Aid International computers visit our website.