S2Say IT – Insights from James Wilde on understanding the value of secure data destruction

Our S2Say It blog series shares the insights and experiences of some of our key members of staff, providing valuable thought leadership on the ITAD industry as a whole.

In our latest edition, we spoke to James Wilde, Logistics & Data Destruction Manager at S2S Group, about his transition from the shop floor to sales and into his current role in logistics.

James delves into how his experience has changed the way he views ITAD, and how large corporations must now think on a larger scale, as continuous developments in technology and artificial intelligence pose both a corporate opportunity and a threat.

I joined S2S Group in February 2020.

Before joining S2S, I worked in sales and account management, with a key focus on customer service and client relationships. I also had experience in the DIY industry and worked for a blue-chip company managing large accounts.

I was looking for a new challenge when I came across S2S. I liked the company, the people and the welcoming atmosphere, so it felt like the right place to take that next step.

My role covers a lot of different areas. I’m responsible for managing our fleet of vehicles, including our secure shredding trucks and their drivers, organising transportation, overseeing the security of assets and making sure we meet our legal and compliance requirements.

A significant part of the role is making sure everything runs efficiently while maintaining the security of the assets we’re handling, giving our clients peace of mind that their sensitive data is being handled responsibly.

Working across different areas of the business has given me a much better understanding of the whole customer journey and how best to support each client.

I’ve experienced projects from a sales perspective, co-ordinated multiple on-site customer collections and now manage the logistics and data destruction side of S2S Group.

That hands-on experience means I understand the different challenges each team can face, and how best to approach each project to ensure we’re as efficient as possible and maximise the value of the job for each customer.

It also helps me identify potential issues before they happen. Understanding every perspective allows me to plan projects more effectively and find solutions before something becomes a problem.

It ultimately comes down to giving customers total assurance that their data has been securely destroyed.

Each customer has their own set of unique requirements, but certified data erasure and robust data destruction processes provide the confidence organisations need that their information is no longer accessible.

When we’re on site, we see just how important this can be. Some customers won’t allow us to handle or move assets until they’ve been erased due to the sensitivity of the data their technology holds.

Compliance and accountability are also critical. Our certifications, services and dedicated account managers are a big reason why customers choose to partner with us, alongside the relationships we’ve built with longstanding clients.

One misconception is that simply factory resetting a device is enough to protect the data stored on it.  In fact, studies suggest that 90% of second-hand electronics still contain recoverable data after basic resets. There’s also a perception that businesses can use a low-compliance provider without taking on additional risk to their sensitive data, business operations and reputation, to minimise the cost of the project as low as possible.

For me, it’s important that customers understand what’s involved in secure data destruction and why choosing the right provider matters to them. Choosing a trusted ITAD partner ensures all corporate information is protected, ensuring the organisation remains compliant, but also avoids potential data breaches which can destroy a brand and the business it runs.

From the moment we collect an asset, security is our top priority. We have a documented chain of custody, tracked vehicles and vetted staff for our clients’ peace of mind. The process is also monitored through to final destruction via Trakk-IT, giving customers visibility over their assets throughout their journey.

For every collection, we also break down the project into a detailed list of all items received, which can be compared against the customer’s own records before the destruction takes place.

That level of accountability is particularly important for customers managing large volumes of equipment or multiple locations, where chain of custody and progress tracking is vital.

The scale can vary significantly. Some jobs involve a single collection, while others require us to coordinate multiple collections in one day.

A big part of my role is planning the most efficient and cost-effective routes, helping to keep costs down for our customers while making sure assets are collected securely to avoid unnecessary risk.

At S2S Group, we carry out collections across the UK. Inevitably, we sometimes face practical challenges such as difficult site access or determining the right size of vehicle for a particular location. To mitigate this, we ensure each job is thoroughly planned out from start to finish before tackling a project, which makes ITAD an even smoother process for the client to handle.

Data destruction has definitely increased in demand.

We’re seeing significantly older assets coming through our systems, as businesses are increasingly putting budgets behind data destruction projects as corporations become more aware of how important secure ITAD. At the same time, some public sector organisations are choosing to sweat their assets for longer, meaning our teams are also managing refurbishment programmes of current IT asset banks.

The resale market has also changed. COVID-19 and wider economic changes in the market have affected the value of asset rebates and technology resales, particularly as excess electronic goods have influenced pricing. This often means that larger organisations see more value in knowing their technology is being destroyed securely, which supports their Scope 3 reporting, rather than solely relying on the value of reselling their redundant electronics.

I think data centre decommissioning is going to be a major area of growth across the industry.

We’re seeing increasing demand for data centres, particularly with the growth of technologies such as AI. In fact, the average size of a UK data centre has expanded from 2.1 megawatts in 2006 to 6.3 megawatts in 2026 to accommodate the heavy computing needs of AI platforms. As this infrastructure develops, there will be more IT equipment that needs to be carefully decommissioned and removed to avoid the risk of data breaches and the associated reputational damage.

Here, the opportunity for S2S Group is to support customers with the whole process – from dismantling and removing equipment through to deciding whether assets should be resold, recycled or securely destroyed. As the number of new AI providers entering the market increases, the awareness of data security across these data centres becomes paramount in protecting their millions of users’ sensitive data. 

Due to the complexity of many of these data centres, we believe we will see an influx of both on-site and off-site ITAD services over the next five years.

For me, it’s about continuing to provide customers with security, accountability and confidence throughout the entire asset lifecycle.

ITAD is no longer simply about collecting redundant equipment. Businesses need to know where their assets are, that their data is secure and that everything has been handled in a compliant and responsible way. Having experience across the different stages of that process has shown me just how important it is to get every part of the journey right.

As expectations across the ITAD industry continue to change, so do we.

At S2S Group, we understand the importance of keeping your organisation’s data secure from any unwanted access, which can jeopardise business operations. For James, his breadth of experience working across different customer touchpoints during an ITAD project has helped to shape the approach we all take when handling projects, regardless of their size.

So, whether you’re a facilities or procurement manager looking for a single site asset collection, or a nationwide, multi-faceted data erasure programme, our team is here to support you right through to completion. Don’t put your organisation’s data at risk; choose a trusted, reputable supplier whose services are backed by over 16 certifications and countless previous projects.

Get in touch with our team of experts to discover what smarter ITAD could deliver for your business.