When disposing of confidential information, you must take every precaution to do so safely. Taking the time to research the safest options can prevent identity theft and save your company from the huge expenses of a breach.
According to recent statistics, reported data compromises increased by 78% from 2022 to 2023 and the average cost of a breach reached an all-time high of $4.45 million. Professional document shredding and hard drive destruction services completely destroy your data and prevent any recovery of your information. Below, we will take a closer look at your shredding options to help you determine the safest place to shred your documents.
Why is Shredding Important?
Homes and businesses often handle documents containing personally identifiable information (PII). Financial documents, medical records, and even junk mail can provide valuable information for identity thieves.
Any document containing personal information such as names, identification numbers, and contact information should be disposed of safely. When these documents fall into the wrong hands you risk fraud, identity theft, corporate espionage, and potential fines or legal penalties for failing to protect customer data.
Is Self-Shredding Safe?
Self-shredding is when you or your staff shred documents at home or in the office with a personal shredder. While self-shredding is better than throwing documents directly in the trash, it is not a recommended practice.
Personal shredders often provide a strip-cut technique that can be reconstructed. If the wrong person gains access to your shreds, they can use a software program to put your documents back together or create fake documents to defraud you or others. The risks combined with the costs, maintenance, and hazards of operation make self-shredding a poor choice overall.
Professional Shredding Services
Professional shredding services ensure that your documents are handled properly and destroyed completely. Select a shredding company that complies with industry standards, such as those set by the National Association for Information Destruction (NAID).
NAID-certified companies maintain the highest safety standards and provide a certificate of destruction to prove compliance with data privacy regulations. They also offer onsite and offsite shredding to meet your security and convenience needs.
Onsite & Mobile Shredding Services
Mobile shredding is the safest shredding service available. The shredding process takes place at your location via a mobile shred truck. Onsite destruction eliminates the need to transport sensitive documents, reducing the risk of interception or tampering. Mobile shredding also allows you to witness the shredding process firsthand. Witnessed shredding lets you verify the destruction of your data and provides peace of mind.
Offsite Shredding
Offsite shredding is also a secure shredding solution. Though transportation is necessary, several safety features make the process as safe as possible. Transportation vehicles are tracked using GPS and a secure chain of custody is maintained throughout the entire process. Each step is carefully documented to prevent unauthorized access to your documents.
Our shredding facilities are secured with 24/7 surveillance, access controls, and alarms. Our shredders meet or exceed industry standards for quick and effective destruction. Once shredded, the materials are pulped and recycled.
Ship ‘N’ Shred
Ship ‘N’ Shred is another safe option for low-volume shredding projects. Similar to offsite shredding, your documents are tracked and documented throughout transport and then destroyed in a secure shredding facility.
Safely Shred Your Documents with Shred Nations
Don’t leave your confidentiality to chance. Professional shredding services keep your personal and business information safe while preventing the headache of a data breach. Shred Nations partners with reliable shredding providers nationwide to protect your privacy.
We offer a wide range of services to meet your volume, security, and convenience needs. Please give us a call at (800) 747-3365 or fill out the form to find services near you.
