The complex world of data security and secure document destruction is certainly not as cut and dry as a shredded piece of paper, but one point should be clear—secure document shredding is a crucial step in your data security program
If you’re on the fence about hiring a professional document shredding service or wondering how to make your company more secure, let us clear up these four misconceptions about document shredding. We’ll get down to the facts so you can make the right decisions for your data security.
My organization isn’t big enough to hire professional shredding.
While an in-house office shredder may seem like the most cost-effective document destruction option, the costs can add up in surprising ways. It takes time and effort for your employees to prepare documents for shredding, destroy the documents, and keep the shredder clean and functioning. That time and effort interrupt your employees’ productivity and places all the responsibility for your data security in their hands.
When it comes to disposal of the shredded material, nothing grabs the attention of identity thieves more than a bag of shredded paper in the dumpster. It is a beacon to everyone that this information is important. If you have entrusted this process to a professional service provider, you can be assured that not only is your paper shredded beyond recognition, but that the shredded material is fully protected and recycled.
Regardless of the size of your organization, you will find that the cost is greatly outweighed by the benefits and security of using a certified paper shredding company. Your employees can focus on their work, your data will be handled by security experts and you will mitigate the costly risk of a data leak.
I might need these documents later.
Many documents and records must be kept for a certain period of time. The law varies by industry and record subject matter, however, outdated records kept passed their legal expiration date may pose risks to you and your business.
Old records add little value to your organization, are expensive to maintain and take up valuable space at the office. Additionally, they create liability for your business if they are lost or stolen. Records stored after their expiration date are also subject to subpoena and discovery during any type of legal action that may require them, costing time and money as well as exposure you could have avoided. Develop a record retention policy for your organization that includes a clear, secure disposal process for documents when the time is right
No one really cares about my old records.
Thieves and scammers absolutely do care about your records—and they will go to lengths to steal your data. Small businesses are targeted just as often as large companies, especially because smaller organizations often don’t have as much security—such as encryption methods or processes in place to protect and dispose of sensitive information. Documents that contain confidential information such as a client name, address or account number should be sent to be destroyed when they are no longer needed.
Company information is extremely valuable to both you and the thieves who intend to exploit your or your company. Any information regarding you, your company, or others should be protected and kept safe and eventually disposed of in a way that ensures destruction.
Shredded paper can’t be recycled.
All shredded paper documents are completely recyclable when prepared properly. Anything that can be torn can generally be shredded and eventually sent to a paper mill for recycling. Most shredded paper is turned into recycled tissue and toweling. Check with your local shredding company to ensure all shredded paper is diverted from the landfill and properly recycled.
When in search of professional document shredding in Omaha, Nebraska, choose DataShield. We pride ourselves on our ability to work with all organizations to develop a document and data destruction program that fits your needs. Our solutions provide an organization-wide approach to data security and disposal while ensuring all destroyed media and shredded paper are recycled in an environmentally friendly manner.
To learn more about paper shredding, data destruction, media shredding, or information security, please give us a call today.
