With increased data breaches and identity theft, businesses and organizations are at a higher risk of losing not only money but also the trust and loyalty of the communities they serve. Because of these risks, protecting personal and business information has become a top priority for many companies. In fact, many individuals and businesses are turning to NAID-certified destruction services to dispose of documents and papers safely, reducing the risk of falling victim to identity and data theft. The question now is, are shredding services safe? Can you truly trust them with sensitive and confidential information? This post will outline factors that ensure the safety and security of these services, as well as how to choose a service provider you can trust.
Are Shedding Services Safe?
Paper documents often contain sensitive information like bank records, medical data, business contracts, and other valuable personal or business information. Simply throwing them away in the trash bin exposes them to prying eyes or unauthorized access by people who may want to use this sensitive information for profit or advantage. Data breaches and identity theft can lead to hefty fines and expensive lawsuits, not to mention the loss of the good business reputation you have spent years building. Shredding ensures that the information is destroyed and cannot be reconstructed. This will provide you with the peace of mind that your data is safe and that you are complying with privacy regulations.
The safety of shredding services usually depends on the methods they use to destroy documents.
Two Modes of Operation:
On-Site Shredding
With on-site shredding, your documents do not have to leave your secure location. In this case, a mobile shredding truck will visit your location and shred your documents right where you are. This method of operation will allow you to witness the shredding process and ensure that your documents are securely and immediately shredded.
Off-Site Shredding
With off-site shredding, the service provider will pick up your documents and transport them to a security facility where the shredding process will take place. This type of operation is more cost-friendly than the first one, but it does not allow you to be present at the time of the shredding. Since you will not be present during the process, you must have a strong trust in the company’s transportation and handling process.
Both methods are safe as long as the company follows safety protocols and procedures. Still, you should check the safety of each company on your own and personally evaluate their practices. Below, we outline factors to consider when examining different shredding providers.
Key Factors that Make Shredding Services Safe
Certifications and Compliance
Partner with service providers who have certifications granted by reputable organizations like the National Association for Information Destruction (NAID). You can be assured that NAID-certified companies adhere to strict security standards and undergo regular audits to ensure compliance.
Chain of Custody
The chain of custody is the “paper trail” of your documents. It tells you where your documents are from the moment of their creation to the moment of their destruction. Through this chain, you will be able to trace where a document is, who has had access to it, where it has been stored, where it is at present, or how it was destroyed.
Employee Background Checks
Reputable shredding companies perform thorough background checks on their employees or new hires. These checks ensure that only trustworthy personnel get to see or handle your sensitive information.
Shredding Technology
To ensure that nobody will be able to reconstruct your documents, cross-cut or micro-cut shredders are used since they produce smaller, more secure fragments.
Documented Proof of Destruction
Reliable shredding service providers usually provide a Certificate of Destruction after the process of destruction is completed. This certificate proves that your sensitive data and information have been securely and safely destroyed. Additionally, it proves compliance complies with data protection regulations like the GDPR or HIPAA.
Protect Your Business and Your Customers Today
Document shredding is an essential part of business operations and a crucial security measure that protects not only your business but also the hundreds or thousands of customers who have placed their trust in you. People often overlook this security measure, but making it a priority can save you a lot of headaches and money.
If you get the services of a NAID-certified destruction service provider, you can be assured that this part of your business operations will be well taken care of. If you are serious about your goal to protect your business and your customers’ information, contact us today.
