Computer Devices

A Plan to Increase Affordable Devices

Background

Currently, the largest barrier in providing more devices is a lack of donated computers from government, schools, and business organizations.

With increasing technological innovations and a device lifespan between 3-5 years, closing the device gap requires more than one-time donations.

Rather, a dedicated, ongoing effort is needed to ensure individuals have affordable access to devices in every part of the state.

Many organizations already contribute devices on a regular basis, for example:

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Deseret Management Corporation
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Caption Call
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The Management Group (NWM)
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Great Basin College
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University of Utah Testing Center
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Wadsworth Construction
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Presiding Bishops Office
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Accounting Firm
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Prime Residential Mortgage
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Center Point Theater
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Ely College
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Overstock
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American Logistics
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Hudson Oaks
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Multiple Schools
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The greatest need is to find more laptop computers!

The willingness to donate computers is usually not the issue. The issue for most companies is data security.

There are several options available to assure that the disks have been completely erased:

Companies Donating Computers Can:

Erase the disks before donation.
Or, remove the disks and donate computers without a disk.

As an alternative, TechCharities and other certified non-profits can:

Install Windows 10 Pro or Windows 11 Pro which performs a limited wipe of each partition.
Or, provide permanent data erasure beyond recovery through a licensed partnership with BitRaser. Certificates of Data Destruction are available. *
Or, shred each disk drive and certify physical destruction through the service of a certified shredding company, TAMS.

*TechCharities is licensed through BitRaser to wipe and certify various levels of data destruction. Some levels of data destruction take only a few minutes and others take many minutes. Companies may choose the level of data destruction. NIST 800 -88 Purge and US – DOD 5220 with 3 passes are often used. Examples include:

NIST 800-88 Clear
NIST 800-88 Purge
US – DoD 5220.22-M (3 passes)
US – DoD 5220.22-M (ECE) (7 passes)
US – DoD 5200.28-STD (7 passes)
Russian – GOST-R-50739-95 (2 passes)
B.Schneier’s Algorithm (7 passes)
German Standard VSITR (7 passes)
Peter Gutmann (35 passes)
US Army AR 380-19 (3 passes)
NATO Standard (7 passes)
US Air Force AFSSI 5020 (3 passes)

Steps to Increase the Supply of Computer Devices

1. Organize the CompUtah initiative and host quarterly meetings with other public and private sector partners to reach a statewide goal to provide 10,000 devices annually within 5 years.

2. Add 10 new businesses, schools, and government organizations each month that are willing and committed to provide an average of 10-20 used computers per month.

3. Collaborate with the Community Action Partnership of Utah and Department of Workforce Services to identify 10 locations in every region of rural Utah to distribute 10-20 laptops each month to those in need. Within 5 years, the goal is to provide or offer devices to all rural cities.

4. Develop logistical and financial procedures to transport and deliver computer devices from origins to destinations. Some devices may be shipped by USPS. Others may be shipped by existing agencies such as Utah Food Bank.

5. Identify, select, and train organizations to collect, refurbish, inventory, and distribute computer devices to five locations in rural Utah within five years.