Without proper IT asset disposition, public sector entities are exposed to significant risk.
Data breaches: Improperly disposed-of IT assets may lead to residual data, leaving sensitive data vulnerable to theft or unauthorized access. This can lead to:
-
Data leaks: Sensitive information falling into the wrong hands poses serious risks to national security, individual privacy, and even economic stability.
- Identity theft: Exposure of personal information can lead to financial and reputational damage for citizens.
- Reputational damage: Data breaches erode public trust in the government's ability to protect sensitive information.
National security: The loss of sensitive data, particularly classified information, can have severe consequences for national security, including:
-
Compromised intelligence operations: Exposure of intelligence sources and methods can weaken national security capabilities.
- Threats to critical infrastructure: Access to critical infrastructure data can be exploited by adversaries.
- Loss of competitive advantage: Disclosure of sensitive research or technology can harm U.S. economic competitiveness.
