Page 101 - Cyber Defense eMagazine Special RSA Conference Annual Edition for 2022

For maximum reassurance, you may decide to replace a hard drive entirely. However, when purchasing
replacement hard drives, it's vital you procure one from a trusted manufacturer. For newer hardware,
finding an affordable replacement should prove simple enough. However, if your refurbished devices are
no longer in production, you may struggle to find a suitable replacement.

Carry Out a BIOS Check and Update

Protecting the BIOS of a computer is crucial when it comes to cybersecurity. Without the BIOS, your
hardware can't function. Even if the hardware has been updated before being delivered to you, it's
important to install the most current version.

It's also worth investigating prospective hardware models ahead of purchasing them. Some devices are
more susceptible to BIOS attacks than others. Recently, it was discovered that as many as 30 million
Dell devices were at high risk of remote BIOS attacks from cybercriminals.

Cybersecurity Checklist for Refurbished Hardware

All of the above requires effort on your part. However, you can alleviate in-house pressures and concerns
about cybersecurity risks with due diligence before you buy. Carrying out a few basic checks before
making a payment will dramatically reduce the time and money you need to invest in mitigating
cybersecurity risks.

Only Buy from Certified Sellers

When you're eager to make a saving, it can be tempting to buy refurbished hardware from third-party
marketplaces. While these platforms do yield considerable savings, you're less protected when it comes
to warranties and refunds. In many cases, there's no guarantee that refurbished hardware has been
tested to ensure it's in full working order. If you must buy from one of these online marketplaces, only
purchase from legitimate sellers. The likes of eBay offer refurbished programs that only pre-qualified
vendors can use to sell goods. If you're buying refurbished hardware elsewhere, always check to see if
a vendor has original equipment manufacturer (OEM) certification.

Understand the Difference Between Refurbished and Recertified Hardware

This is important as far as warranties are concerned. Although the two terms are used interchangeably,
refurbished and recertified don't mean the same thing. The main difference here is the warranty attached
to the hardware. Refurbished products tend to include no warranties at all, meaning you have no buyer
protection. If the hardware doesn't perform as expected, you may find yourself having to swallow the
cost.

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