Expert Tips on Professional Paper Shredding

Shredding paper is critical for companies of all sizes. It helps protect your business, your clients, and your contacts from having their information stolen and used by criminals to perpetrate identity theft and credit card fraud.

Here’s what our experts have to say about shredding paper for businesses.

You Should Shred Paper Regularly to Protect Data and PII

The number-one tip from all professional paper shredders is to establish a regular schedule of paper shredding.  The reason is simple— most businesses generate sensitive data and personally identifiable information (PII).  Letting records that contain sensitive information build up is both a security risk and a legal liability.

You need to shred important documents like bills, invoices, signed receipts, and financial reports. Beyond those everyday records, other sensitive documents include outdated contracts, legal documents, copies of trade secrets and business plans. HR records like employee information, health information, resumes and more are only a liability if they have outlived their usefulness in managing your company.

Shredding regularly ensures you’re following the law and protecting yourself and your clients.

Make it Confetti+

There are a variety of shred cut sizes and styles that shredders produce. Horizontal and crosscut are the most common, but also the most easily reassembled. It’s like easy to guess passwords; straight cut paper is not that difficult for determined thieves to put back together for the win.

Confetti, diamond, and micro-cut are what is required to destroy sensitive information. An experienced professional paper shredder can get the job done for you and certify the result.

Know the Regs that Apply to Your Business

Depending on your industry and your corporate policies on document destruction, along with which State and Federal regulations that may apply, you need to know how paper shredding should be applied in your workplace.

At Protec Recycling, our paper shredding services are compliant with all data privacy laws, including HIPAA, GLBA, and FACTA. 

Always Work with a Professional Shredder

Unfortunately, we often see clients who attempt to shred their sensitive documents with a normal in-office shredder.

We never recommend Do-it-Yourself shredding, and there are several reasons why.

First, it takes an enormous amount of time. If you’re shredding a couple documents at a time, you’re wasting the valuable work-time of an employee that could be applied elsewhere.

Second, it’s not guaranteed to destroy all data effectively. With in-office shredders, it’s common that the documents are shredded lengthwise, allowing anyone to easily piece the documents back together.

Third, it exposes you to potential liability. When you work with a NAID AAA Certified paper shredding and recycling service, you get a Certificate of Destruction that is evidence you are complying with the law.

Schedule One-Time or Ongoing Professional Shredding Services

Professional paper shredding is more affordable than you think. We make recycling convenient, offering on-site mobile services as well as one-time purges, and regularly scheduled pickups to meet your firm’s shredding and data destruction needs.

Consoles and bins are provided at no cost.

To schedule a pickup, call our office at 205-549-2120 or visit our Contact Us page today.