An increasing number of sophisticated cyber attacks have corporations and Internet security experts on high alert. But information security goes beyond phishing schemes, malware, or hackers stealing valuable information from the wired world.
Less-refined data breaches play out in the workplace every day with equally devastating results. Stolen laptops with access to customer information, work orders thrown in the trash, a general confusion over what should be shredded versus recycled, and even dumpster diving are some real-life examples of how small businesses become the next national headline. That’s why partnering with a certified shredding services vendor can be your organization’s best defense when it comes to information destruction.
What should you ask a professional document shredding service company before hiring them?
1. Are you certified by a recognized trade association or a similar third party? As part of the Federal Trade Commission’s FACT Act (in effect since 2005), the FTC recommends small businesses work with certified companies specializing in shredding confidential information. The National Information for Destruction (NAID) is one such recognized trade association. NAID sets the standard for how information disposal companies destroy sensitive information. Membership means document shredding companies undergo random and regularity scheduled, onsite audits by trained, accredited security professionals, among other requirements. A NAID Membership means a company has merely paid their dues and is able to promote the NAID membership logo on their website.
2. Do you provide both onsite and plant-based shredding? Every business is unique; therefore, no two professional shredding services will be identical. The bottom line is that you have the option of where to shred documents. Companies who elect to have their shredding done onsite are serviced by a mobile paper shredding truck. It’s important to make sure the truck is properly maintained, secure, and equipped with the technology to handle on-site shredding, including a video camera and a choice of shredding size options. Plant-based shredding is where the shredding happens at the information destruction vendor’s secure facility. In this way, the containers are switched out.
3. How secure is your shredding process? From start to finish this should be a seamless, shred-safe process where the chain of command is never broken. That means:
- The drivers handling secure containers undergo background checks and random drug screens and maintain a high level of security at all times.
- The shredding services provider has written security and operation policies and procedures in place and follows them.
- The mobile trucks and plant-based destruction equipment are in proper working condition.
- Video cameras capture both the plant-based and mobile shredding and the recordings are kept for at least 90 days.
- The trucks themselves are secure and state-of-the-art; offering various shred sizes that can be changed by the drivers with a press of a button.
4. What kind of bins do you provide? There should be a variety of secure consoles and carts that fit in with your existing office décor and look.
5. What other services do you offer? Information security goes beyond just shredding confidential information for a company or its clients. A DataShield, we also offer:
6. What about references? Don’t just take the company’s word about their great document shredding services. Ask their customers too!
Interested in Learning More?
If you’ve asked the above questions and are satisfied with the answers, then rest assured the company you choose is the right fit. If not, contact us for more paper shredding information. We’ll be happy to help you out.
