The Compliance Framework
Government IT asset disposition operates within the most prescriptive regulatory environment of any vertical. NIST Special Publication 800-88 Rev. 1 defines the three media sanitization standards — Clear, Purge, Destroy — that all federal agencies must follow. FISMA requires agencies to integrate data sanitization into their overall information security programs.
For classified systems, NSA/CSS Policy Manual 9-12 and related directives mandate destruction using NSA Evaluated Products List (EPL) approved equipment, often requiring on-site destruction within secured facilities (SCIFs).
What Makes Government ITAD Different
- NIST 800-88 compliance is mandatory — Not a guideline, a requirement for federal agencies and contractors handling CUI
- Classified data destruction — Requires NSA EPL-listed equipment and facility security clearance
- Federal surplus property hierarchy — Agencies must follow established disposition channels before commercial recycling
- GSA MAS schedule requirements — Many agencies require ITAD vendors on GSA schedules
- Zero Trust asset lifecycle — EO 14028 extends Zero Trust requirements to asset decommissioning
- AbilityOne considerations — Mandatory source requirements may apply to ITAD services
The SureDispose ITAD Readiness Assessment evaluates your agency across six dimensions tailored to NIST 800-88, FISMA, and federal procurement requirements.