Critical Questions You Must Ask About Paper Shredding

Ever heard of corporate intelligence, corporate security, and counterespionage? Well, there are people whose main business is to mind your business by scavenging through your garbage, undermining your privacy and stealing corporate information. Just when you think having your own paper shredder and performing in-house shredding is enough - think again. There are pitfalls to this practice, and you are as endangered as when you didn't have a shredder.

Who is doing the shredding?

Have you gone a comprehensive background check on the staff you've assigned to oversee in-house shredding? The job may be too basic but many of your organisation's secrets are right there in the hands of this person. Are your shredding personnel trustworthy and competent enough to perform reliable document destruction? Do they know the importance of their job? Is their work audited and documented, or at best certified?

How is the shredding done?

There's a reason why shredding services provider provide certificate and documentation every time they render shredding. It's important for the shredding of records to be witnessed, documented, and done professionally, with consideration for the protection of the environment. It's not enough to have those records cut into pieces. There should be a records management and destruction program designed to ensure utmost safety.

Where do the shredded materials go?

There is a proper and safe way to dispose of shredded paper. Shredding companies guarantee this by partnering with reliable paper mills, providing well-documented shredding services, even combining shredded materials from various clients. The shredded materials are then recycled to make eco-friendly paper products. How are those pieces disposed? If they end up in the standard dumpsters, they could fall into the hands of spies.

What happens when your shredder malfunctions?

Too many times, employees don't bother with a shredder that doesn't work nor has overflowing bin. Many forget security protocol, or aren't aware of one, and simply crumple paper and throw them in the garbage like an ordinary candy wrapper. This practice is not just environmentally unsound but it also puts the organisation in great danger. Documents which are supposedly shredded and disposed properly - where are they stored while the shredders are down?

What's your other option?

Your organisation will have many things to worry about, but some problems can be avoided. Designing and implementing a reliable records management and destruction program is a good preventive approach against counterespionage and information theft. It's good to have your own shredder and do in-house shredding. However, your methods may not offer the level of protection that you require. To ensure maximum security and safety, leave paper shredding to specialists.