--- title: Recycling Your Old Copier? Do This First! | Advanced Office description: Recycling your old copier may seem like a good idea, but there are some precautions to be aware of that will keep your data safe! image: https://www.goadvanced.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/throwaway.jpg --- [![logo-scroll](https://www.goadvanced.com/hubfs/logo-scroll.svg "logo-scroll")](http://19965136.hs-sites.com/) [![logo-scroll](https://www.goadvanced.com/hubfs/logo-scroll.svg "logo-scroll")](http://19965136.hs-sites.com/) # Recycling Your Old Copier? Do This First! November 20, 2017 | [Advanced Office](https://www.goadvanced.com/blog/author/advanced-office) With information security on everyone's mind lately, it can be a challenge to make sure you've covered all the bases. Perhaps you've: - Stopped doing business via paper-based solutions and replaced them with digital document management - Backed up your data in an off-site cloud repository - Chosen scanning solutions with advanced data encryption - Developed a BYOD policy to keep your data protected on personal devices - Worked with your [managed print services provider](https://www.goadvanced.com/managed-print-services) to make sure you're not facing any print security vulnerabilities While all of those are steps in the right direction, there's still one less obvious threat that could put your data at risk. ### What You Don't Know Can Hurt You Your managed print services provider has your fleet running like a finely-tuned workflow support partner. In the meantime, a department manager decides to do the right thing and recycle the old desktop system he's been relying on for the last five years or so. While we admire his commitment to the environment, he may be putting your information at risk. Here's why: Today's [copiers](https://www.goadvanced.com/multifunction-systems) rely on internal hard drives to deliver the highly-functional digital workflow solutions businesses depend upon every day. Much like a computer, these devices retain a digital image of every document that passes through them. During recycling, end-of-lease scenarios, service events, or any other situation where your device leaves your location, you're faced with a print security issue. Hackers are very aware that a hidden cache of valuable information is stored on your copier's hard drive, and they've developed surprisingly effective methods for acquiring what doesn't belong to them. To avoid this print security nightmare, simply make sure to remove, destroy, or scrub your device hard drive before it leaves your physical premises. For more practical help securing your valuable information, [get in touch with us](https://www.goadvanced.com/contact) at Advanced Office today! ## Latest blogs April 17, 2026 | [Wendy Sue Hawkins](https://www.goadvanced.com/blog/author/wendy-sue-hawkins) #### [What is Your Copier Telling You?](https://www.goadvanced.com/blog/what-is-your-copier-telling-you) **Those “Little” Messages on Your Copier! They’re Trying to Help You.** [Read More](https://www.goadvanced.com/blog/what-is-your-copier-telling-you) October 27, 2025 | [Wendy Sue Hawkins](https://www.goadvanced.com/blog/author/wendy-sue-hawkins) #### [To Replace or Not to Replace, That is the Question](https://www.goadvanced.com/blog/to-replace-or-not-to-replace-that-is-the-question) ### **When Should Toner Cartridges Be Replaced?** If you’ve ever seen your copier flash **“Toner Low”**, you know the panic that hits you.The bead of sweat that... 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[Read More](https://www.goadvanced.com/blog/electronic-signatures-keeping-up-in-a-modern-world) ## Stay in the know Subscribe to the latest updates from Advanced Office ![SE90474_logo_whitenew](https://www.goadvanced.com/hubfs/SE90474_logo_whitenew.svg "SE90474_logo_whitenew") Advanced Office has been serving California for 50 years with first-rate technology and business solutions to streamline your workflow.    [Privacy Policy](https://www.goadvanced.com/privacy-policy) - [![linkedin](https://info.stoica.co/hubfs/linkedin.png) ](https://www.linkedin.com/company/9357771/) - [![fb](https://info.stoica.co/hubfs/fb.png) ](https://www.facebook.com/GoAdvanced) - [![youtube-1](https://www.goadvanced.com/hubfs/youtube-1.png) ](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPKSqKHDjmfHE9X_5pTAh2w) ###### **Irvine** 14370 Myford Road, Suite 100 Irvine, CA 92606 Phone: 714.547.9500 [Get Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/place/14370+Myford+Rd+%23100,+Irvine,+CA+92606/@33.7165853,-117.8020171,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x80dcdc71bbd746f3:0x2f7f4625bde150c1!8m2!3d33.7165809!4d-117.7998284) ###### Inland Empire 8282 White Oak. 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