Elimination of Critical Assets: Executive Requirements to Mitigate Reputational Risk

Introduction

The secure disposal of critical assets is essential to mitigate reputational risks and ensure regulatory compliance. Executive leaders must implement strict policies that guarantee the integrity of processes, preventing information leaks and negative impacts on the institutional image.

Identification and classification of critical assets

The first step is to identify and classify the critical assets present within the organizational environment. According to the National Information Security Policy, these assets include both sensitive data and equipment that store or process information essential to operations.

Applicable legal and regulatory requirements

In accordance with Law No. 13,709/2018 (General Data Protection Law - LGPD) and ANPD Resolution No. 516/2020, the disposal and elimination of media and devices containing personal data must follow specific protocols to prevent exposure or misuse.

Executive procedures for secure disposal

To mitigate risks, it is essential that top management establish standardized processes for the disposal of critical assets. This includes the use of proven data sanitization techniques such as secure physical destruction and degaussing — methods recognized by international standards of the NIST SP 800-88 Rev.1.

Recommended practices include hiring certified providers for the secure disposal of electronic equipment, promoting compliance with current legislation. The documentation of the process must be strict to provide auditability and traceability of the disposed assets.

Mitigation of reputational risks

Failures in asset disposal can lead to data exposures that directly affect institutional credibility. The adoption of solid executive practices is essential to protect reputation by minimizing risks through rigorous internal controls and transparent communication with stakeholders.

Environmental considerations and sustainability

Beyond information security, it is imperative to adopt processes that ensure environmentally responsible disposal of materials. Initiatives such as recycling and electronic waste collection help reduce environmental impact and align with environmental responsibility policies established by standards like CONAMA Resolution No. 401/2008.

Media and hard drive sanitization

Ensuring safe destruction of media and hard drives is vital to prevent unauthorized data recovery. To this end, the use of specialized services in secure hard drive sanitization guarantees the protection of sensitive information and legal compliance, following the guidelines of NIST SP 800-88.

Conclusion

Executives must act rigorously in defining and implementing policies for the disposal of critical assets, ensuring legal compliance, mitigating reputational risk, and protecting the environment. Adhering to national and international standards represents a competitive advantage and safeguards informational assets.