The need for ATM security doesn’t end when the ATM is decommissioned. Like any electronic equipment, disposal of old ATMs must follow strict standards to protect both the environment and sensitive financial information. In the present day, where concerns about ecological damage and the vulnerabilities in everyday technology are at a peak, many challenges make responsible ATM recycling more important than ever.
Shrinking ATM Life Cycles
Many people would wait to replace their home computer or smartphone until their functional end of life, continuing to use them as long as they’re still viable. ATMs, however, are a different case. In practice, ATMs have a life cycle seven to ten years long, often ending before they actually wear out. There are two major reasons for this. First, new technologies such as online banking and banking apps on smartphones enable transactions to be done freely at home, work, etc. Many bank branches have been decommissioned as a result, as they’re rendered redundant and banks want to focus on the channels that customers are now using. Second, advances in the technologies used within ATMs necessitate replacing currently installed machines to keep in line with standards.
The takeaway here is that ATMs require decommissioning more often than expected, meaning a strategy for handling this process is necessary.
Risks Presented by Old ATMs
ATMs cannot simply be thrown away. Doing so often does not result in the ATM actually being destroyed or disassembled; rather, it’s left in a landfill, potentially for years. Like any other form of electronic waste, this presents an ecological and health hazard. As the electronic components within the ATM break down over time, they release harmful substances into the air, soil or groundwater, including heavy metals like mercury and cadmium or byproducts from plastics like PVC used in wiring and insulation. Any of these can seriously harm humans and animals exposed to them.
Moreover, an intact ATM can be found and accessed by someone with ill intent. In many cases, data left on these devices persists even after disposal and could be accessed by anyone with the know-how, potentially compromising anyone who’s used the ATM. Another possible risk is that the ATM’s security features could be reverse engineered by criminals looking for ways to break the security on ATMs still in service. Banks and business owners can be found liable for jeopardizing their customers’ financial information if their improper disposal of ATMs enables criminal access.
What to Do With Old ATMs
The ATM Industry Association released a paper in 2011 titled “Best Practices for Decommissioning ATMs”, available to all ATMIA members for free, that provides a detailed guide on the ideal methods of discarding ATMs safely. For those without access to the paper, though, there are still some good guidelines to follow:
- If an ATM is slated for decommissioning, make sure it’s kept safe just the same as you would an active ATM, in order to prevent illicit access.
- Remove the motherboard, keypad, memory, processors and other electronic components. This also prevents access, and many components may still be usable if refurbished.
- See if you can trade in the old ATM for a replacement.
- Turn to a certified electronics recycling business for proper disposal and data destruction.
TechWaste Recycling is equipped to handle the safe decommissioning of ATMs, including a full audit of the process and the assets involved. For more information, contact us today.
TechWaste Recycling directly services all of Southern California and provides pickup services to its facilities from nationwide locations. Visit TechWaste Recycling’s website at www.techwasterecycling.com to schedule a pickup that works for your convenience and schedule.
Learn more about TechWaste’s secure recycling process here: Secure Recycling Process
Contact Info:
Richard Steffens
1940 E. Occidental street
Santa Ana, CA 92705
Phone: 866-637-8469
