Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2023

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Principles of Consolidation

The accompanying financial statements reflect our financial position, results of operations, comprehensive income (loss), equity and cash flows on a consolidated basis. The accompanying financial statements include the results of those entities over which we have a controlling financial interest and we are deemed to be the primary beneficiary. All intercompany transactions and account balances have been eliminated.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("GAAP") requires us to make estimates, judgments and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, and the related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and for the period then ended. On an ongoing basis, we evaluate the estimates used. We base our estimates on historical experience, actuarial estimates, current conditions and various other assumptions that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances. These estimates form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities and are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates.

Changes in Presentation

Certain items previously reported under specific financial statement captions have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation.

Foreign Currency

Local currencies are the functional currencies for our operations outside the United States, with the exception of certain foreign holding companies, whose functional currency is the United States dollar. In those instances where the local currency is the functional currency, assets and liabilities are translated at period-end exchange rates, and revenues and expenses are translated at average exchange rates for the applicable period.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents include cash on hand and cash invested in highly liquid short-term securities, which have remaining maturities at the date of purchase of less than 90 days. Cash and cash equivalents are carried at cost, which approximates fair value.

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts and Credit Memo Reserves

We maintain an allowance for doubtful accounts and a credit memo reserve for estimated losses resulting from the potential inability of our customers to make required payments and potential disputes regarding billing and service issues. We evaluate and monitor the collectability of accounts receivable based on a combination of factors, including historical loss experience, assessments of trends in our aged receivables and credit memo activity, the location of our businesses, the composition of our customer base, our product and service lines, potential future macroeconomic factors, including natural disasters, and reasonable and supportable forecasts for expected future collectability of our outstanding receivables. Continued adjustments will be made, as it becomes evident, should there be any material change to reasonable and supportable forecasts that may impact our likelihood of collection. Our highly diverse global customer base, with no single customer accounting for more than approximately 1% of revenue during the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, limits our exposure to concentration of credit risk. Additionally, we write off uncollectible balances as circumstances warrant, generally no later than one year past due.

Concentrations of Credit Risk

Financial instruments that potentially subject us to credit risk consist principally of cash and cash equivalents (including money market funds and time deposits) and accounts receivable.As per our risk management investment policy, we limit exposure to concentration of credit risk by limiting the amount invested in any one mutual fund to a maximum of 1% of the fund's total assets or in any one financial institution to a maximum of $75,000.

Property, Plant and Equipment

Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost and depreciated using the straight-line method with the following useful lives (in years):

DESCRIPTION	RANGE
Buildings and building improvements	5 to 40
Leasehold improvements	5 to 10 or life of the lease (whichever is shorter)
Racking	1 to 20 or life of the lease (whichever is shorter)
Warehouse equipment/vehicles	1 to 10
Furniture and fixtures	1 to 10
Computer hardware and software	2 to 5

Minor maintenance costs are expensed as incurred. Major improvements which extend the life, increase the capacity or improve the safety or the efficiency of property owned are capitalized and depreciated. Major improvements to leased buildings are capitalized as leasehold improvements and depreciated.

CAPITALIZED INTEREST

We capitalize interest expense during the active construction period of major capital projects. Capitalized interest is added to the cost of the underlying assets and is amortized over the useful lives of the assets.

Internal Use Software

We develop various software applications for internal use. Computer software costs associated with internal use software are expensed as incurred until certain capitalization criteria are met. Third party consulting costs, as well as payroll and related costs for employees directly associated with, and devoting time to, the development of internal use computer software projects (to the extent time is spent directly on the project) are capitalized. Capitalization of costs, including costs incurred for upgrades and enhancements that provide additional functionality to our existing software, generally begins during the application development stage of the project, which occurs after it is probable that the project will be completed and used to perform the function intended. Capitalization ends when the asset is ready for its intended use. Capitalized internal use software costs are depreciated on a straight-line basis over the expected useful life of the software, commencing when the software is ready for its intended use. Computer software costs that are capitalized are periodically evaluated for impairment.

Asset Retirement Obligation

Entities are required to record the fair value of a liability for an asset retirement obligation in the period in which it is incurred. Asset retirement obligations represent the costs to replace or remove tangible long-lived assets required by law, regulatory rule or contractual agreement. Our asset retirement obligations are primarily the result of requirements under our facility lease agreements which generally have "return to original condition" clauses which would require us to remove or restore items such as shred pits, vaults, demising walls and office build-outs, among others. The significant assumptions used in estimating our aggregate asset retirement obligations are the timing of removals, the probability of a requirement to perform, estimated cost and associated expected inflation rates that are consistent with historical rates and credit-adjusted risk-free rates that approximate our incremental borrowing rate.

Leases

We lease facilities for certain warehouses, data centers and office space. We also have land leases, including those on which certain facilities are located. The majority of our leased facilities are classified as operating leases that, on average, have initial lease terms of five to 10 years, with one or more lease renewal options to extend the lease term. Our lease renewal option terms generally range from one to five years. The exercise of the lease renewal option is at our sole discretion and may contain fixed rent, fair market value based rent or Consumer Price Index rent escalation clauses. We include option periods in the lease term when our failure to renew the lease would result in an economic disincentive, thereby making it reasonably certain that we will renew the lease. We recognize straight line rental expense over the life of the lease and any fair market value or Consumer Price Index rent escalations are recognized as variable lease expense in the period in which the obligation is incurred. In addition, we lease certain vehicles and equipment. Vehicle and equipment leases typically have lease terms ranging from one to seven years.

We account for all leases, both operating and financing, in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") Topic 842, Leases ("ASC 842"). Our accounting policy provides that leases with an initial term of 12 months or less will not be included within the lease right-of-use assets and lease liabilities recognized on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. We recognize the lease payments for those leases with an initial term of 12 months or less in our Consolidated Statements of Operations on a straight-line basis over the lease term.

The lease right-of-use assets and related lease liabilities are classified as either operating or financing. Lease right-of-use assets are calculated as the net present value of future payments plus any capitalized initial direct costs less any tenant improvements or lease incentives. Lease liabilities are calculated as the net present value of future payments. In calculating the present value of the lease payments, we utilize the rate stated in the lease (in the limited circumstances when such rate is explicitly stated) or, if no rate is explicitly stated, we utilize a rate that reflects our securitized incremental borrowing rate by geography for the lease term. We account for nonlease components (which include common area maintenance, taxes, and insurance) with the related lease component. Any variable nonlease components are not included within the lease right-of-use asset and lease liability on our Consolidated Balance Sheets, and instead, are reflected as an expense in the period incurred.

Long-Lived Assets

We review long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying amount of such assets may not be recoverable. Recoverability of these assets is determined by comparing the sum of the forecasted undiscounted net cash flows of the operation to which the assets relate to their carrying amount. The operations are generally distinguished by the business segment and geographic region in which they operate. If it is determined that we are unable to recover the carrying amount of the assets, the long-lived assets are written down, on a pro rata basis, to fair value. Fair value is determined based on discounted cash flows or appraised values, depending upon the nature of the assets. Long-lived assets, including finite-lived intangible assets, are amortized over their useful lives. Annually, or more frequently if events or circumstances warrant, we assess whether a change in the lives over which long-lived assets, including finite-lived intangible assets, are amortized is necessary.

Goodwill and Other Indefinite- Lived Intangible Assets

GOODWILL AND OTHER INDEFINITE-LIVED INTANGIBLE ASSETS

Goodwill and intangible assets with indefinite lives are not amortized but are reviewed annually for impairment, or more frequently if impairment indicators arise. Other than goodwill, we currently have no intangible assets that have indefinite lives and which are not amortized.

We test goodwill annually on October 1, and more frequently if impairment indicators arise that would require an interim test. We have performed our annual goodwill impairment review as of October 1, 2023, 2022 and 2021. We concluded that as of October 1, 2023, 2022 and 2021, goodwill was not impaired.

REPORTING UNITS AS OF OCTOBER 1, 2022

Our reporting units at which level we performed our goodwill impairment analysis as of October 1, 2022 were as follows:

•North America Records and Information Management ("North America RIM") •Europe and South Africa Records and Information Management ("ESA RIM") •Middle East, North Africa and Turkey Information Management ("MENAT RIM") •Latin America Records and Information Management ("Latin America RIM")

•Asia Pacific Records and Information Management ("APAC RIM") •Entertainment Services •Global Data Center •Fine Arts •ALM

There were no changes to the composition of our reporting units between October 1, 2022 and December 31, 2022.

GOODWILL BY REPORTING UNIT AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2022

The carrying value of goodwill, net for each of our reporting units described above as of December 31, 2022 is as follows:

SEGMENT	REPORTING UNIT	CARRYING VALUE AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2022
Global RIM Business	North America RIM	$	2,667,400
	ESA RIM	521,949
	MENAT RIM	25,007
	Latin America RIM	109,069
	APAC RIM	497,792
	Entertainment Services	31,729
Global Data Center Business	Global Data Center	418,502
Corporate and Other	Fine Arts	33,908
	ALM	577,378
Total		$	4,882,734

2023 REPORTING UNIT CHANGES

During 2023, as a result of the realignment of our global managerial structure, we reassessed the composition of our reporting units. The realignment of our global managerial structure did not change the composition of our reportable segments (as described and defined in Note 11). The reassessment resulted in the following changes to our reporting units: (i) our South Africa business, which was previously managed with our other businesses in Europe as part of our former ESA RIM reporting unit, is now managed as part of our former MENAT RIM reporting unit and these will comprise our "MENATSA RIM" reporting unit and (ii) our other businesses in Europe are now managed as our "Europe RIM" reporting unit.

There were no changes to our other reporting units. We have reassigned goodwill associated with the reporting units impacted by the realignment on a relative fair value basis, where appropriate. The fair value of each of our new reporting units was determined based on the application of a combined weighted average approach of preliminary fair value multiples of revenue and earnings and discounted cash flow techniques. These fair values represent our best estimate and preliminary assessment of goodwill allocations to each of the new reporting units on a relative fair value basis. We have completed an interim goodwill impairment analysis before and after the reporting unit changes, and we have concluded that the goodwill associated with each of our reporting units was not impaired.

REPORTING UNITS AS OF OCTOBER 1, 2023

Our reporting units at which level we performed our goodwill impairment analysis as of October 1, 2023 were as follows:

•North America RIM •Europe RIM •MENATSA RIM •Latin America RIM •APAC RIM
•Entertainment Services •Global Data Center •Fine Arts •ALM

There were no changes to the composition of our reporting units between October 1, 2023 and December 31, 2023.

The fair value of our reporting units has generally been determined using a combined approach based on the present value of future cash flows (the "Discounted Cash Flow Model") and market multiples (the "Market Approach").

The Discounted Cash Flow Model incorporates significant assumptions including future revenue growth rates, operating margins, discount rates and capital expenditures. The Market Approach requires us to make assumptions related to Adjusted EBITDA (as defined in Note 11) multiples.

Changes in economic and operating conditions impacting these assumptions or changes in multiples could result in goodwill impairments in future periods. In conjunction with our annual goodwill impairment reviews, we reconcile the sum of the valuations of all of our reporting units to our market capitalization as of such dates.

Finite-Lived Intangible Assets and Liabilities

I. CUSTOMER AND SUPPLIER RELATIONSHIP INTANGIBLE ASSETS

Customer and supplier relationship intangible assets, which are acquired through either business combinations or acquisitions of customer relationships, are generally amortized over periods ranging from 10 to 30 years. Customer and supplier relationship intangible assets are recorded based upon estimates of their fair value.

Finite-lived intangible assets associated with our Global Data Center Business consist of the following:

DATA CENTER IN-PLACE LEASE INTANGIBLE ASSETS AND DATA CENTER TENANT RELATIONSHIP INTANGIBLE ASSETS

Data center in-place lease intangible assets ("Data Center In-Place Leases") and data center tenant relationship intangible assets ("Data Center Tenant Relationships") reflect the value associated with acquiring a data center operation with active tenants as of the date of acquisition. The value of Data Center In-Place Leases is determined based upon an estimate of the economic costs (such as lost revenues, tenant improvement costs, commissions, legal expenses and other costs to acquire new data center leases) avoided by acquiring a data center operation with active tenants. Data Center In-Place Leases are amortized over the weighted average remaining term of the acquired data center leases. The value of Data Center Tenant Relationships is determined based upon an estimate of the economic costs avoided upon lease renewal of the acquired tenants, based upon expectations of lease renewal. Data Center Tenant Relationships are amortized over the weighted average remaining anticipated life of the relationship with the acquired tenant.

DATA CENTER ABOVE-MARKET AND BELOW-MARKET IN-PLACE LEASE INTANGIBLE ASSETS

Data center above-market in-place lease intangible assets ("Data Center Above-Market Leases") and data center below-market in-place lease intangible assets ("Data Center Below-Market Leases") are recorded at the net present value of the difference between (i) the contractual amounts to be paid pursuant to each in-place lease and (ii) management’s estimate of the fair market lease rates for each corresponding in-place lease. Data Center Above-Market Leases and Data Center Below-Market Leases are amortized over the remaining non-cancellable term of the acquired in-place lease to storage revenue.

Deferred Financing Costs

Deferred financing costs are amortized over the life of the related debt. If debt is retired early, the related unamortized deferred financing costs are written off in the period the debt is retired and included as a component of Other expense (income), net.

Derivatives Instruments and Hedging Activities

Derivative instruments are measured at fair value and are recorded as either assets or liabilities in our Consolidated Balance Sheets. Periodically, we acquire derivative instruments that are intended to hedge either cash flows or values that are subject to foreign exchange or other market price risk and not for trading purposes. We have formally documented our hedging relationships, including identification of the hedging instruments and the hedged items, as well as our risk management objectives and strategies for undertaking each hedge transaction. Given the recurring nature of our revenues and the long-term nature of our asset base, we have the ability and the preference to use long-term, fixed interest rate debt to finance our business, thereby preserving our long-term returns on invested capital. We may use interest rate swaps as a tool to maintain our targeted level of fixed rate debt. In addition, we may enter into cross-currency swaps to hedge the variability of exchange rates between the United States dollar and the currencies of our foreign subsidiaries, as well as interest rates. We may also use borrowings in foreign currencies, either obtained in the United States or by our foreign subsidiaries, to hedge foreign currency risk associated with our international investments. Gains and losses realized as a result of the maturing or termination of our interest rate swaps and cross-currency swaps are reflected as operating cash flows within our Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.

Fair Value Measurements

Entities are permitted under GAAP to elect to measure certain financial instruments and certain other items at either fair value or cost. We have elected the cost measurement option in all circumstances where we had an option.

Our financial assets or liabilities that are carried at fair value are required to be measured using inputs from the three levels of the fair value hierarchy. A financial asset or liability’s classification within the hierarchy is determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement. The three levels of the fair value hierarchy are as follows:

Level 1—Inputs are unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that we have the ability to access at the measurement date.

Level 2—Inputs include quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active, inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability (i.e., interest rates, yield curves, etc.), and inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data by correlation or other means (market corroborated inputs).

Level 3—Unobservable inputs that reflect our assumptions about the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability.

Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests

Certain unaffiliated third parties own noncontrolling interests in certain of our consolidated subsidiaries. The underlying agreements between us and our noncontrolling interest shareholders for these subsidiaries contain provisions under which the noncontrolling interest shareholders can require us to purchase their respective interests in such subsidiaries at certain times and at a purchase price as stipulated in the underlying agreements (generally at fair value). These put options make these noncontrolling interests redeemable and, therefore, these noncontrolling interests are classified as temporary equity outside of stockholders’ equity. Redeemable noncontrolling interests are reported at the higher of their redemption value or the noncontrolling interest holders’ proportionate share of the underlying subsidiaries net carrying value. Increases or decreases in the redemption value of the noncontrolling interest are offset against Additional Paid-in Capital.

When our noncontrolling interests become mandatorily redeemable, they are included as a component of either Accrued expenses and other current liabilities or Other long-term liabilities on our Consolidated Balance Sheets, depending on the timing of the redemption.

Revenues

Payments that are made to a customer in order to terminate the customer’s storage of records with its current records management vendor ("Permanent Withdrawal Fees"), or direct payments to a customer for which no distinct benefit is received in return, are collectively referred to as "Customer Inducements". Customer Inducements are treated as a reduction of the transaction price over the associated contract terms, which range from one to 10 years, and are included in storage and service revenue in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations. If the customer terminates its relationship with us, the unamortized carrying value of the Customer Inducement intangible asset is charged to revenue. However, in the event of such termination, we generally collect, and record as revenue, Permanent Withdrawal Fees that generally equal or exceed the amount of the unamortized Customer Inducement intangible asset.

Our revenues consist of storage rental revenues as well as service revenues and are reflected net of sales and value-added taxes. Storage rental revenues, which are considered a key driver of financial performance for the storage and information management services industry, consist primarily of recurring periodic rental charges related to the storage of materials or data (generally on a per unit basis) that are typically retained by customers for many years and of revenues associated with our data center operations. Service revenues include charges for related service activities, the most significant of which include: (1) the handling of records, including the addition of new records, temporary removal of records from storage, refiling of removed records, customer termination and permanent withdrawal fees, project revenues and courier operations consisting primarily of the pickup and delivery of records upon customer request; (2) destruction services, consisting primarily of (i) secure shredding of sensitive documents and the subsequent sale of shredded paper for recycling, the price of which can fluctuate from period to period, and (ii) the decommissioning, data erasure, processing and disposition or sale of IT hardware and component assets; (3) digital solutions, including the scanning, imaging and document conversion services of active and inactive records, and consulting services; and (4) data center services, including set up, monitoring and support of our customers' assets which are protected in our data center facilities, and special project services, including data center fitout.

We account for our revenue in accordance with ASC 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers ("ASC 606"), with the exception of our data center revenue, as described below. Customers are generally billed monthly based on contractually agreed-upon terms, and storage rental and service revenues are recognized in the month the respective storage rental or service is provided, in line with the transfer of control to the customer. When storage rental fees or services are billed in advance, amounts related to future storage rental or prepaid service contracts are accounted for as deferred revenue and recognized upon the transfer of control to the customer, generally ratably over the contract term. Customer contracts generally include promises to provide monthly recurring storage and related services that are essentially the same over time and have the same pattern of transfer of control to the customer; therefore, most performance obligations represent a promise to deliver a series of distinct services over time (as determined for purposes of ASC 606, a "series"). For those contracts that qualify as a series, we apply the "right to invoice" practical expedient as we have a right to consideration from the customer in an amount that corresponds directly with the value of the underlying performance obligation transferred to the customer to date. Additionally, each purchasing decision is fully in the control of the customer; therefore, consideration beyond the current reporting period is variable and allocated to the specific period to which the consideration relates, which is consistent with the practical expedient. Revenue from product sales, the significant majority of which are shred paper and IT asset sales, is recognized at the point in time at which control transfers to the customer, which is generally upon shipment.

Our Global Data Center Business features storage rental provided to the customer at contractually specified rates over a fixed contractual period. The revenue related to the storage component of our Global Data Center Business is recognized on a straight-line basis over the contract term in accordance with ASC 842. The revenue related to the service component of our Global Data Center Business is recognized in the period the related services are provided.

From time to time, we make payments to entities that are also customers under a revenue contract. These payments are primarily comprised of (i) Customer Inducements and (ii) payments to customers of our ALM business under revenue sharing arrangements for the remarketing of the customer's disposed IT assets. Customer Inducements do not represent payments for a distinct service, and, as such, are treated as a reduction of the transaction price over periods ranging from one to 10 years. Payments for disposed IT assets are for a distinct good and, as such, are expensed as cost of sales in the period the revenue share is known or estimable.

The costs associated with the initial movement of customer records into physical storage and certain commissions are considered costs to fulfill or obtain customer contracts (collectively, "Contract Costs"). The following describes our significant Contract Costs:

INTAKE COSTS (AND ASSOCIATED DEFERRED REVENUE)

The costs of the initial intake of customer records into physical storage ("Intake Costs") are deferred and amortized as a component of depreciation and amortization in our Consolidated Statements of Operations generally over three years, consistent with the transfer of the performance obligation to the customer to which the asset relates. In instances where such Intake Costs are billed to the customer, the associated revenue is deferred and recognized over the same three-year period.

COMMISSIONS

Certain commission payments that are directly associated with the fulfillment of long-term contracts are capitalized and amortized as a component of depreciation and amortization in our Consolidated Statements of Operations generally over three years, consistent with the transfer of the performance obligation to the customer to which the asset relates. We also apply the practical expedient to expense certain commission payments as incurred when the amortization period for those commission payments is one year or less.

DATA CENTER LESSOR CONSIDERATIONS

Our Global Data Center Business features storage rental provided to customers at contractually specified rates over a fixed contractual period. Our data center revenue contracts are accounted for in accordance with ASC 842. ASC 842 provides a practical expedient which allows lessors to account for nonlease components with the related lease component if both the timing and pattern of transfer are the same for nonlease components and the lease component, and the lease component, if accounted for separately, would be classified as an operating lease. The single combined component is accounted for under ASC 842 if the lease component is the predominant component and is accounted for under ASC 606 if the nonlease components are the predominant components. We have elected to take this practical expedient. Our data center revenue contracts may contain Consumer Price Index rent escalation clauses. Consumer Price Index rent escalation clauses are considered variable lease payments and are recognized as income in the period earned.

Stock-Based Compensation

We record stock-based compensation expense, utilizing the straight-line method, for the cost of stock options, restricted stock units ("RSUs"), and performance units ("PUs") (together, "Employee Stock-Based Awards").

RETIREMENT ELIGIBLE CRITERIA

For our Employee Stock-Based Awards made on or after March 1, 2022, we have included the following retirement provision:

•Upon an employee’s retirement on or after attaining age 55 with at least five years of service, if the sum of (i) the award recipient’s age at retirement and (ii) the award recipient’s years of service with us totals at least 65, the award recipient is entitled to continued vesting of any outstanding Employee Stock-Based Awards, provided that their retirement occurs on or after a minimum of six months from the grant date (the "Retirement Criteria").

•Accordingly, (i) grants of Employee Stock-Based Awards to an employee who has met the Retirement Criteria on or before the date of grant, or will meet the Retirement Criteria before the six month anniversary in the year of the grant, will be expensed over six months from the date of grant and (ii) grants of Employee Stock-Based Awards to employees who will meet the Retirement Criteria during the award’s normal vesting period will be expensed between the date of grant and the date upon which the award recipient meets the Retirement Criteria.

•Stock options and RSUs granted to award recipients who meet the Retirement Criteria will be delivered to the award recipient based upon the original vesting schedule. If an award recipient retires and has met the Retirement Criteria, stock options will remain exercisable until the original expiration date of the stock options. PUs granted to award recipients who meet the Retirement Criteria will be delivered in accordance with the original vesting schedule of the applicable PU award and remain subject to the same performance conditions.

The substantial majority of stock-based compensation expense for Employee Stock-Based Awards is included in Selling, general and administrative expenses in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations.

STOCK OPTIONS

Options are generally granted with exercise prices equal to the market price of the stock on the date of grant; however, in certain instances, options are granted at exercise prices greater than the market price of the stock on the date of grant. We issue options that become exercisable ratably over a period three years from the date of grant and have a contractual life of 10 years from the date of grant, unless the holder’s employment is terminated sooner. Our non-employee directors are considered employees for purposes of our stock option plans and stock option reporting.

Our equity compensation plans generally provide that, upon a vesting change in control (as defined in each plan), any unvested options and other awards granted thereunder shall vest immediately if an employee is terminated as a result of the change in control or terminates their own employment for good reason (as defined in each plan). On January 20, 2015, our stockholders approved the adoption of the Iron Mountain Incorporated 2014 Stock and Cash Incentive Plan, as amended (the "2014 Plan").

In May 2021, our stockholders approved an amendment to the 2014 Plan to (i) increase the number of shares of our common stock authorized for issuance thereunder by 8,000,000 from 12,750,000 to 20,750,000, (ii) extend the termination date of the 2014 Plan from May 24, 2027 to May 12, 2031, (iii) provide that, other than in specified circumstances, no equity-based award will vest before the first anniversary of the date of grant and (iv) provide that dividends and dividend equivalents are not paid with respect to stock options or stock appreciation rights.

Expected volatility is calculated utilizing daily historical volatility over a period that equates to the expected life of the option.

(2)Risk-free interest rate is based on the United States Treasury interest rates whose term is consistent with the expected life (estimated period of time outstanding) of the stock options.

(3)Expected dividend yield is considered in the option pricing model and represents our annualized expected per share dividends over the trade price of our common stock at the date of grant.

(4)Expected life of the stock options granted is estimated using the historical exercise behavior of employees.

Our RSUs generally have a vesting period of three years from the date of grant. However, RSUs granted to our non-employee directors vest immediately upon grant. All RSUs accrue dividend equivalents associated with the underlying stock as we declare dividends. Dividends will generally be paid to holders of RSUs in cash upon the vesting date of the associated RSU and will be forfeited if the RSU does not vest. The fair value of RSUs is the excess of the market price of our common stock at the date of grant over the holder's purchase price (which is typically zero).

The PUs we issue vest based on our performance against predefined operational performance and relative total shareholder return based targets over a three-year performance period. The vesting is subject to a minimum level of return on invested capital in the third year of the performance period, and the number of PUs earned is based on certain metrics determined at the outset of the performance period.

For grants issued in 2023 and 2022, the number of PUs earned is based on:

•either (i) the revenue performance for each year averaged at the end of the three-year performance period, or (ii) if (a) absolute total shareholder return is positive at the end of the three-year performance period and (b) a predetermined revenue hurdle is achieved in the third year of the performance period, then the revenue performance achieved in the third year of the performance period; and

•the total return on our common stock relative to the Morgan Stanley Capital International (“MSCI”) United States REIT Index.

For grants issued in 2021, the number of PUs earned is based on:

•the revenue performance for each year averaged at the end of the three-year performance period;

•the revenue exit rate of new products in the last quarter of the three-year performance period; and

•the total return on our common stock relative to the MSCI United States REIT Index.

The number of PUs earned for grants made in 2023 and 2022 will range from 0% to approximately 350% of the initial award, and the number of PUs earned for grants made in 2021 will range from 0% to 200%.

All of our PUs will be settled in shares of our common stock and are subject to cliff vesting three years from the date of the original PU grant. As detailed above, PUs granted are subject to the Retirement Criteria. PUs are generally expensed over the three-year performance period, unless they are granted to a recipient who meets the Retirement Criteria, for which expense will be recognized as described above. PUs granted to recipients who meet the Retirement Criteria will continue to vest and be delivered in accordance with the original vesting schedule of the applicable PU award and remain subject to the same performance conditions.

All PUs accrue dividend equivalents associated with the underlying stock as we declare dividends. Dividends will generally be paid to holders of PUs in cash upon the settlement date of the associated PU and will be forfeited if the PU does not vest.

We offer an Employee Stock Purchase Plan ("ESPP") in which participation is available to substantially all United States and Canadian employees who meet certain service eligibility requirements. Shares of our common stock may be purchased by eligible employees at six-month intervals at 95% of the fair market price at the end of each six-month period, without a look-back feature, up to a maximum of 15% of their gross compensation during the offering period. We do not recognize compensation expense for the ESPP shares purchased.

Acquisition and Integration Costs

ACQUISITION AND INTEGRATION COSTSAcquisition and integration costs represent operating expenditures directly associated with the closing and integration activities of our business acquisitions that have closed, or are highly probable of closing, and include (i) advisory, legal and professional fees to complete business acquisitions and (ii) costs to integrate acquired businesses into our existing operations, including move, severance and system integration costs (collectively, "Acquisition and Integration Costs").

We account for acquisitions using the acquisition method of accounting, and, accordingly, the assets and liabilities acquired are recorded at their estimated fair values and the results of operations for each acquisition have been included in our consolidated results from their respective acquisition dates.

Allocations of the purchase price for acquisitions are based on estimates of the fair value of the net assets acquired and are subject to adjustment upon the finalization of the purchase price allocations. The accounting for business combinations requires estimates and judgments regarding expectations for future cash flows of the acquired business, and the allocations of those cash flows to identifiable tangible and intangible assets, in determining the assets acquired and liabilities assumed. The fair values assigned to tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed, including contingent consideration, are based on management’s best estimates and assumptions, as well as other information compiled by management, including valuations that utilize customary valuation procedures and techniques. The estimates and assumptions underlying the initial valuations are subject to the collection of information necessary to complete the valuations within the measurement periods, which are up to one year from the respective acquisition dates.

As the valuation of certain assets and liabilities for purposes of purchase price allocations are preliminary in nature, they are subject to adjustment as additional information is obtained about the facts and circumstances regarding these assets and liabilities that existed at the acquisition date. The preliminary purchase price allocations that are not finalized as of December 31, 2023 relate to the final assessment of the fair values of property, plant and equipment and intangible assets associated with the acquisitions we closed during the year ended December 31, 2023. Any adjustments to our estimates of purchase price allocation will be made in the periods in which the adjustments are determined and the cumulative effect of such adjustments will be calculated as if the adjustments had been completed as of the acquisition dates.

Income Taxes

Accounting for income taxes requires the recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of temporary differences between the tax and financial reporting bases of assets and liabilities and for loss and credit carryforwards. Valuation allowances are provided when recovery of deferred tax assets does not meet the more likely than not standard as defined in GAAP. We have elected to recognize interest and penalties associated with uncertain tax positions as a component of the Provision (benefit) for income taxes in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations.

We have been organized and have operated as a REIT effective beginning with our taxable year that ended on December 31, 2014. As a REIT, we are generally permitted to deduct from our federal taxable income the dividends we pay to our stockholders. The income represented by such dividends is not subject to federal taxation at the entity level but is taxed, if at all, at the stockholder level. The income of our domestic TRSs, which hold our domestic operations that may not be REIT-compliant as currently operated and structured, is subject, as applicable, to federal and state corporate income tax. In addition, we and our subsidiaries continue to be subject to foreign income taxes in other jurisdictions in which we have business operations or a taxable presence, regardless of whether assets are held or operations are conducted through subsidiaries disregarded for federal income tax purposes or TRSs. We will also be subject to a separate corporate income tax on any gains recognized on the sale or disposition of any asset previously owned by a C corporation during a five-year period after the date we first owned the asset as a REIT asset that are attributable to "built-in gains" with respect to that asset on that date. We will also be subject to a built-in gains tax on our depreciation recapture recognized into income as a result of accounting method changes in connection with our acquisition activities. If we fail to remain qualified for taxation as a REIT, we will be subject to federal income tax at regular corporate income tax rates. Even if we remain qualified for taxation as a REIT, we may be subject to some federal, state, local and foreign taxes on our income and property in addition to taxes owed with respect to our TRS operations. In particular, while state income tax regimes often parallel the federal income tax regime for REITs, many states do not completely follow federal rules and some do not follow them at all.

As a REIT, we are entitled to a deduction for dividends paid, resulting in a substantial reduction of federal income tax expense. As a REIT, substantially all of our income tax expense will be incurred based on the earnings generated by our foreign subsidiaries and our domestic TRSs.

During 2021, as a result of the enactment of a tax law and the closing of various acquisitions, we concluded that it is no longer our intention to reinvest our undistributed earnings of our foreign TRSs indefinitely outside the United States. As a REIT, future repatriation of incremental undistributed earnings of our foreign subsidiaries will not be subject to federal or state income tax, with the exception of foreign withholding taxes. However, such future repatriations may require distributions to our stockholders in accordance with REIT distribution rules, and any such distribution may then be taxable, as appropriate, at the stockholder level. We expect to provide for foreign withholding taxes on the current and future earnings of all of our foreign subsidiaries as the result of such reassessment.

The Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (the "OECD"), an international association comprised of 38 countries, including the United States, has issued proposals that change long-standing tax principles, including on a global minimum tax initiative. In December 2022, the European Union member states agreed to implement the OECD’s Base Erosion and Profit Shifting 2.0 Pillar Two global corporate minimum tax rate of 15% ("Pillar Two"). The agreement affirms that all member states must adopt the directive by December 31, 2023. The rules will therefore be first applicable for periods beginning after December 31, 2023. While the United States has not yet adopted the Pillar Two rules, various other governments around the world are enacting legislation. Considering we do not have material operations in jurisdictions with tax rates lower than the Pillar Two minimum, these rules are not expected to materially impact our effective tax rate, corporate tax liabilities or cash tax liabilities. There remains uncertainty as to the final Pillar Two model rules. We will continue to monitor United States and global legislative action related to Pillar Two for potential impacts.

The evaluation of an uncertain tax position is a two-step process. The first step is a recognition process whereby we determine whether it is more likely than not that a tax position will be sustained upon examination, including resolution of any related appeals or litigation processes, based on the technical merits of the position. The second step is a measurement process whereby a tax position that meets the more likely than not recognition threshold is calculated to determine the amount of benefit to recognize in the financial statements. The tax position is measured as the largest amount of benefit that is greater than 50% likely of being realized upon ultimate settlement.

We have elected to recognize interest and penalties associated with uncertain tax positions as a component of the provision (benefit) for income taxes in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Income (Loss) Per Share-Basic and Diluted

Basic income (loss) per common share is calculated by dividing income (loss) by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding. The calculation of diluted income (loss) per share is consistent with that of basic income (loss) per share but gives effect to all potential common shares (that is, securities such as stock options, RSUs, PUs, warrants or convertible securities) that were outstanding during the period, unless the effect is antidilutive.

New Accounting Pronouncements

RECENTLY ADOPTED ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

In December 2021, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") No. 2021-08, Business Combinations (Topic 805), Accounting for Contract Assets and Contract Liabilities from Contracts with Customers ("ASU 2021-08"). ASU 2021-08 requires that an entity recognize and measure contract assets and contract liabilities acquired in a business combination in accordance with ASU 2014-09 and for the related revenue contracts in accordance with ASU 2014-09 as if it had originated the contracts. We adopted ASU 2021-08 on January 1, 2023 on a prospective basis, and there was no material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

OTHER AS YET ADOPTED ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU No. 2023-09, Income Taxes (Topic 740), Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures ("ASU 2023-09") to provide disaggregated income tax disclosures on the rate reconciliation and income taxes paid. Further, certain requirements related to uncertain tax positions and unrecognized deferred tax liabilities are eliminated. The amendments in this update should be applied on a prospective basis, with retrospective application permitted. ASU 2023-09 will be effective for us on January 1, 2025, with early adoption permitted. We do not expect ASU 2023-09 to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In November 2023, the FASB issued ASU No. 2023-07, Improvements to Reportable Segments Disclosures ("ASU 2023-07") to provide more detail in the disclosures for reportable segments. The main provisions of ASU 2023-07 requires (i) enhanced disclosures about significant segment expenses, (ii) extension of certain annual disclosures to interim periods and (iii) certain qualitative information on the chief operating decision maker. The amendments in this update will be effective for us on January 1, 2024, with early adoption permitted. We do not expect ASU 2023-07 to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In March 2020, the FASB issued ASU No. 2020-04, Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848) ("ASU 2020-04"). ASU 2020-04 provides optional expedients and exceptions for applying GAAP to contracts, hedging relationships, and other transactions, for a limited period of time, to ease the potential burden of recognizing the effects of reference rate reform on financial reporting. The amendments in ASU 2020-04 apply to contracts, hedging relationships and other transactions that reference the London Inter-Bank Offered Rate ("LIBOR") or another reference rate expected to be discontinued due to the global transition away from LIBOR and certain other interbank offered rates. Under ASU 2020-04, an entity could elect to apply the amendments beginning March 12, 2020 through December 31, 2022. In December 2022, the FASB issued ASU No. 2022-06, Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848), Deferral of the Sunset Date of Topic 848 ("ASU 2022-06") to defer the sunset date of Topic 848 from December 31, 2022 to December 31, 2024, after which entities will no longer be permitted to apply the relief in Topic 848. We are currently evaluating these amendments as they relate to our contracts, hedging relationships and other transactions that reference LIBOR, as well as the impact of ASU 2020-04 and ASU 2022-06 on our consolidated financial statements, but we do not expect the impact to be material.

Commitments and Contingencies

We are involved in litigation from time to time in the ordinary course of business, including litigation arising from damage to customer assets in our facilities caused by fires and other natural disasters. A portion of the defense and/or settlement costs associated with such litigation is covered by various commercial liability insurance policies purchased by us and, in limited cases, indemnification from third parties. Our policy is to establish reserves for loss contingencies when the losses are both probable and reasonably estimable. We record legal costs associated with loss contingencies as expenses in the period in which they are incurred.

Segment Information

The accounting policies of the reportable segments are the same as those described in Note 2. Adjusted EBITDA for each segment is defined as net income (loss) before interest expense, net, provision (benefit) for income taxes, depreciation and amortization (inclusive of our share of Adjusted EBITDA from our unconsolidated joint ventures), and excluding certain items we do not believe to be indicative of our core operating results, specifically:

EXCLUDED
•Acquisition and Integration Costs •Restructuring and other transformation •(Gain) loss on disposal/write-down of property, plant and equipment, net (including real estate)	•Other expense (income), net •Stock-based compensation expense

Internally, we use Adjusted EBITDA as the basis for evaluating the performance of, and allocating resources to, our operating segments.