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Research Note

ISO 27001 A.7.14 - Secure Disposal or Re-Use of Equipment

  • Updated Jun 17, 2026
  • Read 04 mins read
  • Status reviewed

Before equipment is reused, sold, returned, repaired, donated, recycled, or discarded, the organization should verify that sensitive information and licensed software are no lon...

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Requirement

Requirement lens

This control asks whether equipment containing storage media is checked before disposal or reuse so sensitive data and licensed software are removed or securely overwritten.

“Items of equipment containing storage media shall be verified to ensure that any sensitive data and licensed software has been removed or securely overwritten prior to disposal or re-use.”

Plain-language meaning

Before equipment is reused, sold, returned, repaired, donated, recycled, or discarded, the organization should verify that sensitive information and licensed software are no longer recoverable.

This includes obvious equipment such as laptops and servers, and less obvious equipment such as printers, scanners, CCTV devices, and any device with internal storage or buffers.

Why this matters

Deleting files is not the same as secure erasure. Data may remain recoverable from disks, SSDs, printers, cameras, and other devices. Poor disposal can create confidentiality breaches, privacy incidents, intellectual property leakage, and software licensing problems.

Implementation guidance

Implementer focus

Disposal and reuse need proof, not assumptions. Identify storage, sanitize or destroy it, verify the result, and keep records.

1. Identify equipment containing storage media

Examples include:

  • laptops and desktops;
  • servers and storage arrays;
  • mobile devices;
  • removable drives;
  • printers and multifunction devices;
  • CCTV cameras and recorders;
  • network devices with logs/configurations;
  • industrial or embedded systems with local storage.

2. Choose sanitization or destruction based on risk

Possible methods include:

  • secure overwrite where suitable;
  • cryptographic erase where keys are controlled;
  • degaussing for suitable magnetic media;
  • physical destruction;
  • certified disposal by approved contractor.

Different media behave differently. SSDs and embedded storage may not be reliably sanitized by basic overwrite tools.

3. Verify before disposal or reuse

Verification should confirm:

  • sensitive data is removed or overwritten;
  • licensed software is removed where required;
  • device configuration, logs, credentials, and cached data are removed;
  • sanitization/destruction method matches sensitivity;
  • evidence is retained.

4. Handle repair scenarios

Equipment sent for repair can expose information. Consider removing, sanitizing, encrypting, or destroying storage before dispatch. If that is not possible, record a risk decision and controls.

Audit guidance

Auditor focus

Do not accept “we deleted the files.” Check the sanitization method, verification evidence, device type, contractor assurance, and repair handling.

Auditors should verify:

  • secure disposal/reuse procedure exists;
  • equipment containing storage media is identified;
  • sanitization method matches media type and sensitivity;
  • sensitive data and licensed software are removed before disposal or reuse;
  • encryption is appropriate to the lifetime sensitivity of data;
  • destruction records are traceable;
  • repair processes protect data;
  • users understand disposal risks.

Evidence examples

Evidence quality

Strong evidence proves equipment was identified, sanitized or destroyed, verified, and removed from inventory with traceable records.

Evidence What it proves
Secure disposal/reuse procedure Process is defined
Equipment disposal register Disposal/reuse is traceable
Sanitization certificates/logs Data removal was performed
Destruction certificates Media destruction is evidenced
Contractor due diligence Disposal provider is trusted
Repair dispatch records Repair risk is controlled
Asset inventory update Equipment lifecycle is closed
Verification record Data/software removal was checked

Strong evidence

  • Disposal records identify device, storage media, classification, method, verifier, and date.
  • Sanitization method matches media type and data sensitivity.
  • Contractor disposal records are traceable.
  • Printers, CCTV devices, and embedded storage are considered.
  • Repair processes include media removal, sanitization, or risk decision.
  • Asset inventory is updated after disposal/reuse.

Weak evidence

  • Staff delete files manually.
  • Disposal certificates are generic and not tied to asset IDs.
  • SSDs are treated like magnetic disks without validation.
  • Printers and cameras are ignored.
  • Repair shipments include storage media without assessment.
  • Encryption is assumed sufficient without considering key handling or data lifetime.

Common failures

Implementation watchouts

A.7.14 fails when equipment disposal is treated as waste management instead of information security.

Failure Why it matters
Deleted files treated as erased data Recoverable data may remain
Hidden storage ignored Printers, CCTV, and network devices may retain data
No asset-level traceability Disposal cannot be proven
Wrong sanitization method Data can remain on SSDs or embedded storage
Repair process uncontrolled Third parties may access data
Software not removed Licensing and copyright exposure

Exam traps

Exam focus

A.7.14 is about equipment containing storage media. It overlaps with A.7.10 but focuses on equipment disposal or reuse.

Trap Correct interpretation
Deleting files is secure disposal Deleted files may be recoverable
Only computers contain storage Printers, CCTV, network devices, and embedded systems can store data
Encryption always solves disposal risk Key handling, encryption strength, and data sensitivity lifetime matter
Contractor certificate is enough The record should be traceable to specific assets/media
A.7.14 is the same as A.7.10 A.7.10 covers media lifecycle; A.7.14 covers equipment disposal/reuse containing media

KB-ready summary

Mentor takeaway

A.7.14 requires verified removal or secure overwriting of sensitive data and licensed software before equipment leaves control, is reused, repaired, sold, donated, recycled, or discarded.

  • Identify equipment with storage.
  • Choose sanitization/destruction based on media type and sensitivity.
  • Verify data and licensed software removal.
  • Include printers, CCTV, network devices, and embedded storage.
  • Keep asset-level disposal or reuse records.

Templates and checklists

  • Iso27001
  • Iso27002
  • Annex a
  • Physical controls
  • Equipment disposal
  • Media sanitization
  • Audit

Note Metadata

Aliases: A.7.14, Secure Disposal or Re-Use of Equipment, Secure Disposal or Reuse of Equipment

Source: 04 Annex A Physical Controls/A.7.14 Secure Disposal or Re-Use of Equipment.md

Control dependency map

How this control connects to work products

Generated from the static research graph. It shows navigation and evidence dependencies; it is not an audit conclusion.

11

links

Control

ISO 27001 A.7.14 - Secure Disposal or Re-Use of Equipment
01

Requirement context

Primary control text, framework notes, or adjacent controls this note points to.

02

Implementation artifacts

Templates and working records that help operate the control.

03

Evidence required

Evidence packs and proof records that support auditability.

04

Audit checks

Audit questions, checklists, or review material connected to the control.

05

Risk treatment

Risk records and ISO 27005 material this control mitigates or supports.

Graph-sourced resources

Templates and evidence

Implementer templates

Working artifacts for control owners and operators.

Auditor evidence packs

Evidence collections and audit-facing verification material.

Risk treatment artifacts

Risk records, mappings, and treatment-supporting references.