You know the feeling.
You head to your paper shredder to get rid of some important documents. You turn on the shredder and insert your paper. Instead of a shredded paper, you're greeted by a loud buzzing sound and an overheated machine.
A paper shredder is an essential item to keep around the house or office. But even the best paper shredders suffer from the occasional jam.
Are you trying to fix a jammed shredder? Trying to force more paper can make matters worse.
You should use caution and follow these instructions instead. Here are 3 tips on fixing and preventing this frustrating issue.1. First Steps
Fixing a jammed shredder doesn't have to be complicated. There are a few things you can do for a quick fix.
The first thing you should do is check to see if the wastebasket is full. An overflowing wastebasket can clog up a shredder with extra bits of paper. Empty the wastebasket and try re-running the device.
If it's still jammed, check to see if your shredder has a reverse button. Clear the shredder opening and plug it back in.
The reverse function will feed jammed paper back out of the opening. You can try to switch between the forward and reverse buttons a few times. If that doesn't resolve the issue, you'll have to manually remove the jam.
Paper jams are often the result of trying to feed too many sheets of paper into your shredder at once. You can manually fix the jam by adding some shredder oil.
Spray some oil on the shredder opening. If this is your first time using shredder oil, you should spray it onto the shredder blades for an extra kick.
The oil will seep into the paper and lubricate it. Turn the shredder back on after about 15 minutes.
Shredder oil can also prevent paper jams in the first place. You should oil your shredder at least once per month if you use your shredder a couple times per week.
Make sure you use store bought shredder oil. Canola oil or WD-40 can further damage your machine.
Still having problems? You might have to call a shredding specialist. They can take care of your jam for a small cost.
It's not uncommon for people to get loose with their definition of "paper shredder." There are countless examples of people shoving credit cards, CDs, and other items into their shredders.
Plastic can easily get jammed in your shredder blades. Removing non-paper items from your shredder is actually easy.
Unplug the device and remove the shredder head. You can try to manually remove the material from the head with tweezers or a screwdriver.
Plug your device back in once you've removed all visible items. Test the shredder by putting in one or two pieces of paper. You can also add shredder oil to your paper to add extra lubrication.
Need help fixing your jammed shredder? We're only one call away.
Contact us to speak with a specialist today. If you need a new shredder to eliminate sensitive documents and maintain the integrity of organizational data, check our wide selection of products. Whether you work in a home office or a government agency, we have what you need.
]]>If you run a business that handles the personal health information of patients, you are required by HIPAA Privacy Rule to prevent these records from being improperly disclosed to the public.
Proper disposing of paper medical records helps protect your client's personal information. It also safeguards your business from legal ramifications.
Here are a few ways to dispose of medical records and safeguard your patient's privacy.
Improper disposal of PHI results in fines. The Office for Civil Rights (OCR) assesses penalties ranging from $100 to $50,000 with an annual maximum of $1,500,000.
HIPAA received more than 182,458 complaints as of the close of May this year. Although these complaints don't calculate the total number of people affected (which is in the millions), they are still too many.
That's almost two-hundred thousand people affected by improper disposal of their personal information.
Don't get caught in this type of situation. Understand that throwing personal health information in the trash or dumpster is a violation. There are a number of secure ways to ensure proper discarding of paper medical records.
Most companies offer employees personal trash and recycle bins. To protect personal health information, place over-sized locked recycle bins in secure spaces in the office for paper records.
Then put a system in place in the office that ensures the protection and discarding of all records daily. For example:
For large shred jobs use a high-security cross-cut shredder. These shredders are quiet and meet the National Security Agency's standards for disposing of confidential information.
If you operate a smaller office, consider a smaller system with front loading paper feed. The whisper quiet benefit this shredder offers allows it to sit right under a reception desk without notice.
Administrative shredding may be done throughout the day without interrupting the flow of office work. You also still get the NSA assurance of properly destroying private records.
Disposal of most electronic records is rare. But for businesses who store personal health data on flash drives, CDs, or DVDs, the law requires you to discard information on these sources as well.
Before shredding these devices, be sure to delete all private patient data from them. User a shredder with steel cutting cylinders to destroy and dispose of each electronic record.
If at all possible, refrain from storing PHI on media sources such as these.
Shredding paper medical records provides companies with the assurance of knowing personal health information is safe. It helps keep you compliant with Federal Privacy Regulations.
Having an in-office shredder also builds trust between business offices and patients. People trust your business practices when they know their private health data is secure.
Take a look at the types of document shredding machines we offer.
]]>What's makes a heavy-duty shredder better than a regular paper shredder? It's more convenient, it saves company time, it reduces information theft... the list goes on!
If you aren't sure what a heavy-duty shredder can do for your business, keep reading. We'll tell you all the different materials it can handle and what this will do for your business. Check it out!
Obviously, your paper shredder shreds paper. But a major advantage of a heavy-duty shredder is its increased shredding capacity.
With a heavy-duty shredder, you don't have to feed the sheets of paper in one at a time. You can put several sheets in at a time.
Sometimes you can shred entire documents at once. Of course, that depends on the size of the document and the shredder. Shredding capacity varies between shredders.
Some heavy-duty shredders can even cut through paper clips and staples. This is one of the major benefits of going heavy-duty.
No more need to check for and remove metal objects from documents before shredding. You can put stapled documents right into the shredder. Skipping this step will shave countless hours off of your shredding time.
If your company's private information is stolen, it can damage or even destroy your business. And as you know, paper documents aren't the only place this private information is found.
To keep your company safe and secure, you will need a shredder that can cut through CDs, DVDs, and credit cards. A heavy-duty shredder can do this for you.
It's not always possible to remove the data from a disk by deleting it. Sometimes, if the disk is scratched or damaged and can't be read, you won't be able to delete the information. If the disk is not disposed of securely, someone might be able to restore the disk and the information.
A shredder that's made for hard plastic media disposal puts your mind at ease. It securely destroys the data beyond any chance of restoration.
There are even shredders that are specifically designed to destroy hard drives. It will also securely dispose of USB storage drives and any other drive you store information on.
Like CDs and DVDs, there are also situations that require a hard drive to be destroyed for security reasons. A hard drive shredder is the safest way to dispose of this information. It is designed to thoroughly destroy a drive to prevent sensitive information from ending up in the wrong hands.
A shredder that has all of these capabilities significantly reduces your risk of information theft. It is the best, and maybe the only, way to ensure every type of information you record is disposed of securely.
It's actually what they are designed for. They aren't just there to help you dispose of things. They are primarily intended as a security measure.
Make sure you aren't putting your company at risk. If you aren't already using a heavy-duty shredder, get started right away.
We have plenty more paper shredder tips where that came from. Click here to see Why Your Office Needs a High-Security Paper Shredder.
]]>Is your home or office is cluttered with piles of papers?
Do security and/or privacy issues prohibit you from throwing them in the garbage?
As long as you don't need certification for FACTA or HIPAA, then you should consider a commercial shedder.
Whether it's in your office or in your home, a shredder can be a priceless tool for maintaining privacy and security - for yourself and/or your customers.
As machines go, shredders are pretty low maintenance.
But if you want to keep it in optimal running condition, there are a few basic things you'll need to do.
As with any machinery, keeping it clean is job number one.
With continual use, paper particles collect between the blades of your shredder. If too much settles there, it could cause decreased functionality and overheating of the motor as it works harder to do its job.
All of this means a shortened life for your shredder.
So periodically check it to ensure the cutting heads are clear of debris.
Obviously, clearing out the sharp cutting heads should not be done by hand. So you can start by using a can of pressurized air to spray out excess particles.
Then simply run the machine in reverse for 30 seconds to remove a good amount of those collected particles from the heads. You'll notice an immediate improvement in performance after doing this.
Just be sure your manual does not discourage this procedure.
All shredders need to be regularly oiled. Especially those with cross-cutting blades.
It's just physics. The system of moving parts that constitutes the blade system is going to be subject to heat and dulling during the course of operation.
But keeping the blades oiled results in minimal harmful friction, smoother operation and longer life for your shredder.
Remember, you should only use commercial shredder oil that's formulated specifically for those blades.
This is more of a preventive maintenance tip. But it's a crucial one.
It's important to know how long your machine is designed to run before it will need to cool down. Otherwise, you'll run the risk of overheating and even damaging your machine.
Even shredders that are rated as continuous fare better with a period of rest every so often.
So check your manual. And if it doesn't specify the ideal runtime, consider calling customer support to see what they say.
Regardless of what you find out, a good rule of thumb to prevent overheating is to allow 30 minutes of cool down time for every 30 minutes of operation.
This is another preventive tip. But being aware of your shredder's sheet capacity is equally important.
Many costly repairs are the result of people trying to force more paper through the shredder than it's designed to handle.
Some shredders have a load detector that won't allow you to put through more paper than the system can handle. But don't assume that's a standard feature on yours.
Refer to your manual to be absolutely certain of the maximum load your shredder can handle.
A commercial shredder will allow you to clear out those papers and documents while maintaining security and privacy.
And be sure to check out our line of NSA listed high-security shredders. They're the ultimate in peace of mind.
]]>There are at least 15 million victims of identity theft in the United States each year. The best paper shredders will protect your privacy.
As long as you don't shred certain documents, you are at an increased risk for identity theft.
Here are the top paper shredders of 2018:
Identity theft experts recommend investing in a paper shredder that cross-cuts sensitive documents. The Aurora AS890C can destroy up to 8.36 pages per minute.
Old credit cards and staples are no match for the Aurora AS890C. This machine shreds right through them.
The Aurora AS890C has an 8.7-inch throat width and a waste bin capacity of 125 sheets. When the waste bin is full, an indicator light shines. This makes the Aurora AS890C especially good for commercial use.
If you want to make sure your documents are thoroughly sliced, this next paper shredder will exceed your expectations:
The AmazonBasics 12-Sheet shredder can turn a letter-size sheet of paper into 2,235 pieces. That's six times more pieces than a traditional cross-cut shredder.
With a 12-sheet per shred capacity, the AmazonBasics shredder is good for personal use. This paper shredder has a 6.7-gallon waste bin. You can also shred credit cards and CDs with this paper shredder.
Only run this paper shredder for 8 minutes at a time. Afterwards, the machine needs a 45-minute cool-down time to make it through another session. This makes the AmazonBasics shredder not preferable for professional use.
The Swingline 14-sheet paper shredder is one of the top paper shredders because it can shred 14 pages at once. Using this paper shredder will cross-cut each letter-sized paper into 400 pieces.
This paper shredder compact (including the waste bin) and has a 20-minute runtime. The manufacturer recommends a cool-down period of 15 minutes.
You can shred credit cards, CDs, staples, and paper clips with the Swingline 12-sheet paper shredder.
The Bonsaii 4S23 can run for 2 hours. You can shred around 4,500 per hour before the paper shredder needs to cool down.
This paper shredder has a cooling system and advanced jam detection to prevent paper jams. It's also capable of shredding credit cards, CDs, and staples.
Unlike other paper shredders, this particular shredder has a low noise level.
With a P5 security level, this micro-cuts your documents into confetti-sized pieces.
The HSM 150-sheet shredder's autofeed tray is capable of handling up to 12.8 feet of shredding per minute. It also has a 9-gallon waste bin. This makes it the ideal business paper shredder.
This paper shredder automatically starts and stops to prevent paper jams.
With a high security level, the HSM micro-cuts your sensitive documents beyond recognition.
Identity theft happens once every 2 seconds in the United States. Invest in your safety and get one of the best paper shredders you can find.
Discover the benefits of paper shredders and enjoy true security. It'll change your life.
]]>While many data breaches stem from hackers exploiting poor security, breaches happen in other ways too. For example, disgruntled employees will sometimes expose sensitive information as revenge.
A less malicious way that breaches happen stems from poor hard drive destruction. Unless you use very thorough procedures, old hard drives will still retain data.
That makes shredding the safest route for hard drive destruction. Let's jump in and take a deeper look at some of the reasons why.
It's a common refrain that computers and magnets don't mix. That's true, but only to some extent.
Traditional hard drives use magnetic platters for data storage. A magnet can demagnetize those platters in a process called degaussing.
The part that gets left out is that it takes a very powerful magnet to degauss those platters. Even if you use a degausser, remnant data can linger if you miss a spot.
Rather than attacking an old hard drive with magnets, some people opt for a software-based solution. The idea is that the data goes away if you overwrite the drive.
While this approach can destroy some of the data, it often leaves behind data "ghosts." People who know how to look for it can find those ghosts.
It's not a phantom fear, either. A recent study reports that around 40% of resold hard drives contain retrievable personal information.
Deleting files and reformatting the drive is another common approach for destroying data on a hard drive. This approach removes address information from existing files. That makes it impossible for a casual search to turn up data.
The problem is that lots of data stays on the drive.
Think of all that data like books on a bookshelf. What deleting and reformatting does is a bit like ripping the covers off of all the books.
You don't know what each book contains anymore, but the information is still available inside the books.
Some people prefer the brute force approach. They'll drill a hole straight through their hard drives, hit them with hammers, or burn them.
This prevents anyone from simply popping the drive into another computer. It doesn't destroy all the data. With the right equipment, someone can pull information from the undamaged parts of the disc platters.
For businesses, erasing old hard drives is also a legal matter. Health care professionals, for example, must follow HIPAA rules about privacy.
Let a hard drive slip into the open with patient information on it and you can face legal action.
Shredding offers the safest route for hard drive destruction because the other methods often don't destroy all the data. Exposing other people's personal information can also leave you open to legal action.
Most shredding machines degauss the drives and then reduce them to tiny pieces. This combination makes it next to impossible for any data retrieval.
High Security Paper Shredders specialize in document, mixed media, and hard drive destruction. For more information about our shredders, contact us today.
]]>Identity theft is terrifying. We take all kinds of measures to make sure that we're safe and protected, but are we doing enough?
One of the easiest ways for criminals to steal your identity is to lift your information off of your sensitive documents sent in the mail. The postal service delivers 150 billion pieces of mail every year and loads of it contains information that can personally identify you.
Here's a list of the top five personal documents you should shred thoroughly before you throw away.
You should keep any information from your bank or credit card lenders for 3 years, for tax purposes. But after that, your first instinct is to toss it in the trash, right?
You need to shred your bank statements, credit card statements, canceled checks, voided checks, and online purchase orders. Shred them, don't just throw them away.
Criminals are after your personal information. They want your social security number, your birthday, and any other piece of information about you that they can gather up. The more they have, the more complete a picture they can paint of you for their own purposes.
It might seem overdramatic, but also be careful of information like your full name, address, all telephone numbers, and driver's license number. This is all information that they can use to pretend to be you online and rack up purchases in your name.
Shred the mail you get from the IRS, from your state's vehicle registration agency, and your employer. Documents that you use for travel, except for your passport, should be shredded as well because it doesn't just contain your information, it contains your itinerary and puts you at personal risk.
You might think that without a password, account information is useless. But this is incorrect. Thieves are clever and can use this information to discover more about you.
The numbers and usernames for your accounts need to be protected at all times, just like your passwords. Shred anything that has this information on it.
This means that you should also destroy the paper that has your utility, cell phone, and internet accounts on them as well.
Most people think junk mail is pretty harmless, besides being altogether annoying. However, junk main typically has a barcode on the front and sometimes this barcode can have information that can identify you personally.
Those "pre-approved" credit card offers and main from the AARP could have access to your personal information, and with the rise of data mining online, you want to stay as safe as possible everywhere else.
Shred your junk mail!
Unfortunately, just because your children are young doesn't mean that they will be safe from criminals. They would just as soon steal a social security number from a child because they are less likely to get caught that way.
Any mail you get for your child, like medical records and school information, needs to find its way to the shredder as well. And toss any duplicates of their birth certificate in with it. Additionally, you need to take measures to properly dispose of anything that you put your signature on.
While it's important to keep many of the documents we mentioned for a period of time due to tax reasons, there's no reason to keep them forever (except for your passport and birth certificate, obviously.) But when you no longer have any use of them, make sure you dispose of them the right way, or you run the risk of having your identity stolen.
A paper shredder is the best, easiest way to ensure that your sensitive personal documents are destroyed and disposed of properly.
To learn more about paper shredders, visit us today!
]]>A paper shredder is a valuable office tool for maintaining security and privacy.
But if your shredder jams up or stops working, it won't do you much good. Fortunately, a few simple maintenance tasks will keep these problems from happening.
Keep reading to learn about the most important office paper shredder maintenance tips.
Paper shredders need to be oiled often, especially if you're using one that has cross-cutting blades. This will give it a longer lifetime.
Oiling the blades also reduces friction and lets the shredder run smoothly. If you don't oil your shredder, the blade system will heat up as it cuts, which could result in the blades dulling.
But don't just use any oil.
These devices need commercial shredder oil if you want the best performance results.
Spread the shredder oil over a normal piece of paper. You don't need a lot of oil, and it's not necessary to soak the paper. Just make sure the oil covers the entire piece of paper in a zig-zagging motion.
Insert the oil covered paper into the shredder and put the shredder on reverse mode for several moments. This will make sure the oil gets distributed through all the cutting cylinders.
Once the oil is dispersed, shred a few more pieces of paper to remove the excess.
This depends on the size of your shredder and how often you use it.
You should oil small paper shredders (using less than 50 sheets of paper a week) every other day. Bigger shredders should be oiled every time you change the bag.
Bits of paper, dust, and other debris can get into important areas of your paper shredder, including the gear-house. When this happens, the buildup can give your shredder some trouble.
You should regularly check your machine for debris. If you find any, spray the dust and paper particles away with some pressurized air. A clean shredder will work better and last longer.
Never try to squeeze more pieces of paper through your shredder at a time than it can take.
Pushing more paper through the blades can cause them to jam. This can be expensive to repair, and in some cases, you might have to replace the entire shredder altogether.
Always find out your shredder's maximum capacity before you start using it.
Though some shredders come with load detectors that keep you from putting too much paper through at one time, most do not. So you'll need to know what the limit is for yourself.
Oiling, cleaning, and using your shredder correctly will keep it in good condition and increase its lifespan.
Make sure you know what can and can't go through your shredder. Just because some models can take staples or credit cards, it doesn't mean yours can.
Need a new office paper shredder? Take a look at some of our options!
]]>Is your home office slowly turning into a mountain of paperwork? You may be asking yourself "just how long should I keep documents?"
If you are confused on which paper records you should keep, then this article is for you. Read here to find out when to keep important papers and when you can safely shred them to protect you and your family's privacy. It's time to reclaim your life from the dreaded "mountain of paper."
Hardcopy paper files aren't always a nuisance. Some of this paper clutter can be used for future purposes such as work samples for job interviews or reconciling credit card statements.
Once they've served their purpose, you'd be wise to shred these piles of important papers when they contain sensitive information like account numbers, social security numbers or birth dates to protect yourself from identity theft.
The next time the question comes up on how long to keep important papers, keep this list below that gives a rundown on some of the common important papers we accrue in our lives and how long you should keep them.
Store Receipts - Receipts for everyday items such as groceries, movie tickets or apparel, can usually be kept for no later than a month. These receipts will be handy a jog your memory when it comes time to reconcile them with your monthly credit card statement. Once that task is completed, you can throw them away immediately.
Credit Card Statements - You can safely keep credit card statements for a month or until the next billing period arrives. Paper copies of these statements can help you go back and track your purchases when your mind seems a little foggy on the details of the past transaction. Shred them immediately when the new one arrives in the mail.
Pay Stubbs - Hang onto your pay stubs for the rest of the calendar year to make sure they match what's recorded on your W-2 that arrives just before April. If the stubs and the W-2 match, you can shred the pay stubs after a year.
Bank Statements - Try to keep all of your bank statements for at least one calendar year. It's helpful backup information when you're ready to complete your taxes. You can also use your bank statement files to prove your income and qualify for big-ticket items like bank loans.
Retirement Plan Statements - Keep your last three years of retirement savings statements as your near your retirement age. These statements may be used to help calculate your pension and Social Security benefits.
Tax Returns - Retain your income tax filing records for at least six years. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) can request to audit any tax returns that were filed during the last three to five years. Tax return records will also help you justify any request for an income tax credit or refund.
If paper clutter is invading your life, sort them into the time period categories listed above, scan them and store them on your computer hard drive or in the cloud.
Read more here about different paper shredder styles that can eliminate the paper clutter and keep you safe from identity theft.
Effective equipment and important paper retention will be your secret weapons to conquering "Mount Paper."
]]>Are you stuck with a mountain of outdated and dusty CDs and you're just not sure what to do with them? Do some of them carry sensitive information in their mirrored data surfaces?
Trying to figure out what to do with old CDs can be tricky. You want to make sure they are disposed of properly. And you also want to make sure the info they're carrying can't be recovered.
So how do you go about getting rid of your discs? Well, we've come up with a few options. Keep reading for some more information!
One of the easiest ways to dispose of useless and outdated CDs is to scratch the data surface.
This can be done with a knife, a screwdriver or by even rubbing the silver side of discs across a rough surface like cement. Make sure you damage the center of the disc while doing this.
Do you have a lot of discs that you need to dispose of? Using an industrial shredder may be the most effective way to get rid of discs loaded with personal data. Shredders can be used for many types of data disposal.
Make sure you choose one that can handle CDs and DVDs.
Sometimes getting rid of unwanted CDs is as simple as snapping them in half.
This should only be done if the information stored in them is unimportant. If discs contain personal info or sensitive data, please attempt a more damaging type of disposal. Broken discs can still be repaired and their data retrieved.
If you or someone in your household is crafty, sometimes you can turn old CDs into works of art.
Many people use CDs as centerpieces. Garden owners sometimes hang them around their garden to scare away animals who may eat their plants. Others use them as decorations in their teens' rooms.
Sometimes a little creativity is all it takes to get your old CDs out of your way. Just keep in mind what they store and if sensitive information can still be retrieved after the double sided sticky tape is taken off.
CDs that are full of outdated information (think AOL, old Microsoft Office platforms or defunct) sometimes it's just easiest to throw them in the trash. You can also send them to a recycling unit.
CDs are constructed out of polycarbonate, which is definitely recyclable. If you want to add some security to your disposal, simply scratch or damage the disc surface before tossing it in the trash.
Knowing what to do with old CDs doesn't have to be an overwhelming process. If you or your business have vast quantities of old discs that must be disposed of, consider investing in an industrial shredder.
These devices can often double up as document shredders, so you get twice as much bang for your buck.
Eliminating sensitive data will keep you and your business safe. Contact us the next time you wish to invest in a shredder.
]]>Are you discarding your documents in a safe and secure manner? Businesses of today have the added burden of disposing of documents that may contain personal or confidential data.
With so many security breaches due to identity theft, some businesses have opted to hire vendors that come on site and shred documents. It is often safe, but cannot always be done on your schedule.
Having a safe and secure means to discard documents is essential to your business, so why not do it on site? Documents can be shredded quickly, freeing up space that is used to store papers and forms instead of waiting for shredding services.
If you are in need of a micro shredder, keep reading to learn the different types and what is best for your business.
Don't leave important information lying around or thrown in the trash. Strip cut shredders are a quick way to shred paper. They come in two widths, 1/4 and 1/8. The blades cut paper into long ribbon-like strips.
In terms of security, strip cut shredders are not considered the most secure. They are excellent for shredding documents that do not contain confidential information.
Strip cut shredders work well for home-based businesses and college students.
A cross cut paper shredder is more secure because it cuts paper into smaller pieces. These machines come in multiple security levels ranging from one to six. If you are working with sensitive data, you will want to go with a higher level. This would be for data that includes financial information, Social Security numbers, and passwords.
Cross cut shredders can come with motors that run continuously and do not have to cool-down intermittently. This is a good feature for larger jobs.
Another great benefit to going with a cross cut shredder is they cut more than paper. If you have data on CD's, DVD's or other forms of data storage, consider upgrading to a shredder that can handle cutting this type of media.
A cross cut can also shred credit cards and plastic ID cards.
More secure than a cross cut paper shredder is the micro cut shredder. Its name says it all. It shreds documents into microparticles that cannot be recreated.
Micro cut shredders come in various sizes. There are smaller units for home usage, and they can go up to industrial sizes that cater to large corporations. In terms of security, they start at level four.
The downside to micro shredders is they are slower than strip and cross cut shredders. You're also limited by the number of sheets you can feed through the shredder at a time. A cross cut can take up to 18 sheets, whereas a micro cut home paper shredder takes around 10.
Now that we have shed some light on the differences in paper shredders, you should have a good idea what will work best for you.
If you still have questions or are ready to buy, contact us to speak with a specialist.
]]>Even small businesses, regardless of what they are, have sensitive documents. Banking information, identification, addresses and phone numbers, purchasing history.
When you need to get rid of these items, document shredding is the best option. Unless you are a massive company, using your own paper shredder is the better way to go.
Let's look at some of the benefits of shredding your sensitive documents.
Just throwing a piece of paper away or tearing up doesn't mean it can still be used for gathering information. People can steal identities, access banking, and other personal information, so you want to know those documents are destroyed.
Shredding the documents means your own personal or important information won't fall into the hands of thieves. We often don't realize how much information people can access, even from a small shipping receipt or invoice with your company information.
This is important that you do not want to let out. Your clients and customers rely on you to keep their information for business purposes. Even long after the client has given it to you, it can still be found and used by thieves.
Security is very important for building trust with your customer base. They will become loyal knowing their information is safe.
The shredded paper is easier to recycle, therefore cutting back on the waste paper from your trash. With the paper already shredded, it doesn't need to be broken down as full paper does.
The shredded paper is made into other paper products, reducing the cost of making more from new. It saves money, pollution and makes for smart business practice. Working green gets noticed by your clients and your community.
Using your own shredder means you know the documents have been taken care of. Sending them out can be worrisome, for highly sensitive documents. Thieves will not only steal documents but take shredded paper, as well, in hopes of reconstructing them for information.
You don't have to store them until the service comes, taking up space. Also, people can access sensitive information while it's in storage. You can move pieces to other bins to mix the waste, therefore guaranteeing that the information is gone.
The peace of mind is worth it. Your clients will trust you, you will know the documents are destroyed and that all of your business, clients and your personal information will not fall into the wrong hands.
There is something rather satisfying about sending that piece of paper through the shredder. For really sensitive documents, tearing it up isn't enough. Small pieces of information can still be retrieved.
Any time you gather any type of customer information, you are putting that information at risk. Document shredding is the best way to protect that information.
The cost of a shredder is small compared to identity and information theft. Please contact us for any information, or types of shredders that will be best for your company and needs.
]]>If you work in an office, you know how much paperwork can stack up. What was once one packet quickly grows into hundreds of pages of documents.
What's more, those documents are filled with important details that, should they fall into the wrong hands, could be misused. Therefore, it's of the utmost importance that you make sure your documents are disposed of in a proper, legal way.
And while many businesses choose to enlist the help of outside companies like office supply stores, they'd do better to invest in a shredder of their own. Here are three key benefits to choosing to invest in a heavy duty shredder.
Initially, that header may be a bit confusing. How can buying something save you money? Rest assured, investing in a heavy duty shredder for your office can save you money in several ways.
The biggest way you'll save is by avoiding unnecessary trips to the office supply store. How many times have you sent an employee to your local big box store to shred boxes of documents?
It's estimated that most businesses pay anywhere from $65 to $100 per bin, with some businesses requiring a minimum order of at least a few hundred dollars.
Of course, fewer expense trips to the office supply store also means you're saving time, and thus, increasing productivity. A shredder in your office may actually earn your business more money!
Your documents and other media are extremely vital to your business. And while the employee down at the local shredding store may have the best intentions, what's the say they're going to do a thorough job?
All it takes is takes one crafty person to go through bags of shredded documents to find valuable details about your business and its clients.
Don't take the risk. Give yourself the benefit of secure shredding by investing in a heavy duty shredder of your own.
These shredders can dispose of any time of media you need shredded, including CDs and DVDs, hard drives, and even USB drives.
At least in the continental US, every state has its own set of data disposal laws. These laws are quite extensive and require businesses to dispose of their data in regulated manners.
It may seem like a failure to adhere to these guidelines isn't a big deal. However, you'd be quite wrong.
Failure to comply with federal and state data disposal laws is setting your business up to fail. You'll have to pay extensive fees. And that's not counting the money you'll lose since your business's image is tarnished.
If it isn't clear by now, we'll say it again: it's critically important that businesses take care of sensitive media. And there's no better and more cost-effective manner than by purchasing your own shredder.
Get in touch with High Security Paper Shredders today and see how you can keep your business safe.
]]>Identity theft is one of the biggest threats to American consumers and businesses. In fact, nearly 18 million Americans fall victim to identity theft in a given year.
No company or organization is safe from the threat. The United States government has been hacked, as well as major companies like Home Depot and Target.
These vulnerabilities beg the question, what steps should you take to protect sensitive information? Not everyone has a heavy-duty shredder available to destroy personal information.
Mobile shredding is the solution you are looking for. Read on to learn 5 ways that mobile shredding can help prevent identity theft.
This is the greatest benefit to mobile shredding. In one visit, a mobile shredder can destroy tons of confidential documents and papers.
The shredding service is secure and guarantees complete destruction of all papers vulnerable to identity theft. Those who seek to compromise your company's security cannot steal what they cannot see.
Some critics may question the time elapsed between shredding. They argue that this information is vulnerable while it waits to be shredded.
However, this is not the case. Instead, shredding services offer locked bins for important documents to be safely discarded.
There is an opening that is large enough to slide papers through, but too small for a hand or grabbing device. This is an effective method for reducing the likelihood of document theft.
One of the convenient benefits of mobile shredders is the flexible and recurring schedules. The shredding services company can schedule appointments based on your company's demand.
For instance, the shredder can visit your company on a weekly, biweekly, or monthly basis. A recurring destruction schedule is a great way to reduce opportunities for identity theft.
Many employees fail to safeguard information because they are too busy. They just don't have time to properly destroy documents with personal information.
Instead, these employees leave important files in a cardboard box under the desk. In some cases, sensitive documents are left sprawled across a cubicle or office.
The convenience of locked-up bins changes this dynamic. Now employees can safely discard these files with little to no effort at all.
It is near impossible to ensure employees are safeguarding information on a minute-by-minute basis. Document collection by a mobile shredder, on the other hand, gives managers an opportunity to get engaged.
Managers can supervise the document destruction to send employees a message about the importance of safeguarding files. In addition, they can coordinate office walkthroughs on the same day as the document collection.
Identity theft is clearly a growing issue in the United States and around the globe. A small oversight can lead to a company-wide cyber-attack or hacking incident.
The good news is that shredding services can reduce the likelihood of this catastrophic event. For more information on mobile shredding, we're here to help!
]]>Even in an increasingly digital world, offices still need paper documents on hand. There's just something about the security and feel of a hard copy document that a PDF can't replace.
But what happens when you're done with those documents? After all, there's important confidential information about your business and your clients. FTC regulations require safe, secure disposal of these sensitive documents.
That's why most businesses would do well to invest in a commercial paper shredder. Yet there are so many on the market that choosing between the hundreds of models can be quite tough.
Here's a helpful guide so you can make a more well-informed decision regarding which commercial paper shredder is right for your business.
Every office environment is unique, as are its needs. You wouldn't expect a small, family-run business to shred as many documents as a massive business like Starbucks.
So it makes sense that different types of shredders are better for different types of offices.
When considering which commercial paper shredder to invest in, evaluate with your office size in mind. You may need something small and simple if you only worth with a few people. On the other hand, you may need a heavy-duty shredder if you employ dozens.
Ultimately, the right choice comes down to how many workers will need to use the shredder.
Another factor to keep in mind is your current paper usage. On a weekly basis, how much paper does your office go through? What about a month? A year, even?
Eventually, those documents will need shredding. If your office is mostly digital, it stands to reason that you'll need to shred a lot less than a paper-heavy office.
From memos to pamphlets to employee records, at any given moment, an office has tons of confidential information that needs to be kept safe.
When it comes time to choose a commercial paper shredder, it isn't sufficient to pick up the cheapest shredder from your local big box store.
As silly as it sounds, it's entirely possible to reassemble shredded documents. If the shredder's quality was poor at least.
Most businesses can't afford the PR disaster and financial fees associated with an FTC violation. Keep your safety, and the safety of clients and employees, in mind.
Finally, consider the future of your business. Do you intend to hire more employees? Or perhaps you're looking at expanding the services you offer.
If your business wants to grow, it's likely going to use more paper. Buying a quality paper shredder now may end up saving you quite a bit in the future.
As you can see, picking the right shredder isn't as easy as choosing the first option you see. Don't make the mistake that so many businesses have made before: invest in your shredder.
At High-Security Paper Shredders, we take document shredding seriously. We only stock the strongest, most effective shredders on the market.
So keep your business safe and get in touch with us today. We promise you won't regret it.
]]>What's the best way to prevent identity theft?
There are many digital measures you can take. But one of the most effective strategies is an old-time classic: invest in a shredder.
Whenever you or your business receives documents with personal information, shredding hides this information when you dispose of your documents.
But when you shop for a shredding machine, you probably have a lot of questions. Specifically, when choosing between a cross-cut and strip cut shredder. How do you know which one to choose?
Strip-cut and cross-cut shredding machines have their own pros and cons. Read more and find out which device you should choose.
The best way to remember a strip cut shredder is knowing the machine cuts your documents into strips.
The machine uses a single set of blades to cut your document into thin, vertical strips. This helps hide the sensitive information, in case an identity thief grabs a hold of your document.
By slicing your document into vertical strips, strip-cut machines can effectively hide your sensitive information. Strip-cut machines also offer other benefits, such as technological reliability and low maintenance.
This makes the machine work quickly.
Strip-cut machines have a lot of benefits, but they're not perfect. Before buying a strip-cut machine, here are the strip-cut machine cons.
When you dispose of private documents, take extra measures to mix them with other documents or throw out the strips separately.
Unlike strip-cut machines, cross-cut machines cut your paper in very fine strips. This is also known as a 'confetti' cut. This makes it difficult for thieves to piece your documents together.
Cross-cut machines cut your document into fine pieces, which gives cross-cut shredding machines many benefits. These include:
When the machine cuts down your documents, you know your identity is safe.
Since cross-cut machines require more blades, there are some disadvantages to using a cross-cut machine. These include:
However, some cross-cut machines have reduced in price.
Your sensitive documents need to be shredded to ensure your identity won't be stolen. But will you choose a strip-cut or cross-cut shredder? Both have their advantages and disadvantages. Pick the machine that works best for your needs.
Do you need a paper shredder? We sell a variety of top-quality and high-security shredders.
]]>No, this isn't meant to appeal to James Bond, Liam Neeson, or another secret agent made popular in the movies.
If your business deals with confidential client information, you want to ensure no one else gets ahold of it. Thankfully, this is no longer a problem when you have a high security paper shredder.
If you deal with client information every day but don't have this asset in your office, read on to discover why you should get one.
Not everything in your office needs shredding right away. But if you deal with important information about your clients, where they live, their income or medical records, it's better not to take any chances.
Here are important documents to get rid of before their presence becomes a problem:
When in doubt, shred anything that has a name, address, financial information, or is otherwise highly sensitive. If necessary, review a comprehensive list of information that is worth shredding.
In the case of most clients, anything personal can go after it's served its purpose.
Various businesses and industries that serve clients have sensitive financial and personal information about them. These range from services at banks and medical offices to law and accounting firms.
Even if your office is not one of these, it's still important you protect your clients. Should any information get into the wrong hands, it's better to err on the side of caution.
This helps your clients feel safe and makes your company look professional. It gives you peace of mind too since everything on your end is handled. When you shred important documents, there's no way someone could steal it from your office trash.
You may ask why you should bother with a high security paper shredder. After all, can't you outsource the work to a mobile shredding service?
These companies usually visit your business and do all the shredding for you. Depending on the needs of your company, they visit anywhere from once to several times per week.
Although this gets rid of a tedious task, your company saves more money by investing in a shredder. It gets the job done with half the cost.
You have other benefits too, including shredding documents right away instead of waiting for the service to come around. This protects sensitive information rather than leaving it out in the open.
It also decreases the number of people who are touching the documents and able to see this information. It's one less bill for your office to pay, too.
If you and your employees make a habit of shredding documents every time you're done with them, there won't be a huge stack that has to get shredded at once. This saves time for everybody.
Taking care of the environment is something many people today put emphasis on. The workplace is no stranger to this phenomenon.
From taking public transportation to work to brown-bagging lunch, we're all on the lookout for ways we can actively help the environment. Shredding paper is another great way to get started on this path.
Instead of simply throwing the paper away, offices have various solutions for their paper waste. It could vary from using the shredded paper to ship items to donating it for compost.
If you purchase a high quality paper shredder, you'll be able to serve the environment in various ways. This would be impossible if you used a paper service or just threw your papers out.
All companies that deal with confidential client information must protect it from others. This includes outside people who come into the office. It may even extend to personnel who work within the building, such as individuals in certain departments.
If these documents get into the wrong hands, problems could occur. You or your company could face potential lawsuits. This hurts the reputation of your business and makes it harder to get new clients.
By using a high security paper shredder, you're making an investment that protects not only those you serve but you and your employees. With an outcome like this, everyone wins.
In any office, space is a luxury most people yearn for. If you have piles of papers thrown into boxes, trays, or other places, you lose some of that space.
Getting a shredder for your office means it's easy to ditch unwanted documents as soon as you're done with them. You don't need to save them, bury them, or otherwise hide them to protect information.
New space in your office means more room to move around in. You can add some plants to beautify the area and create a cleaner look for anyone who visits. You'll no longer feel ashamed to have an unexpected guest come over at a moment's notice.
No matter what type of office you have, you'll need help selecting a high security paper shredder. Unlike many office supplies, this is not one size fits all.
Contact us today to see the variety of shredders we have to offer. You'll have the chance to select one that meets your company needs.
Don't take chances when it comes to the security of yourself and your clients. Protect everyone involved by shredding right away.
]]>Some "green" initiatives are well-known.
Items like LED light bulbs and water conservation are topics of discussion all over the globe. But today we're shedding light on a commonly overlooked tool: Your paper shredder.
Read on to find out how using this simple tool can help your go green in your office.
Everyone knows shredding documents is great for security. But here are some ways it helps the environment, too:
Some people hoard documents with sensitive information to keep them from being misused. Instead, recycle your paper shreds.
Recycling companies can use paper shreds to make many products. Depending on the type of paper, it could be toilet paper, paper towels, paperboard, and more.
Your recycled paper shreds have a huge environmental impact. According to the University of Southern Indiana, each ton of recycled paper saves:
Recycling paper uses less energy, less pollution, and less water than producing new paper.
Most recycling companies accept paper, but not all accept shredded paper. Shredded paper has shorter fibers, which makes it less versatile than uncut paper. Still, if you want to keep your information safe, a paper shredder is essential.
Shredded paper is considered "mixed grade" paper. Look for this term when choosing a recycling company.
Don't be too quick to turn over your shreds to a recycling company. They have great uses around the house, too. Bloggers have found many creative uses for shredded paper, but here are a few:
For moving, shipping, or storing fragile items, paper shreds are an eco-friendly option. They're flexible enough to support and fill small crevices. They're also soft enough to absorb movement without damaging glass and porcelain.
A word of caution, though: Contain the shreds in bags. This will prevent shreds and dust from covering your items. As an added bonus, it's a great way to recycle used plastic bags.
If you enjoy crafting, paper shreds are a great tool. You can use them for fun art projects. Or sprinkle them with essential oils to make a scented sachet. Send colored paper through the shredder as a base for crafty bouquets.
Colorful art projects are a great way to use shredded magazine paper and other glossy papers. Glossy material isn't biodegradable. so it has fewer ways to be recycled. But it's great for making beads, creating wall art, and more.
Paper shreds can make a great stuffing material as well. It can be great for outdoor pillows, stuffed animals, and more. If you're a crocheter, paper shreds can work well for stuffing crocheted figures.
Some lovable critters enjoy paper shreds as bedding, like chickens and rabbits. Make sure you do some research first to make sure it's appropriate for your pets. Some animals may only be able to use certain types of paper.
If you want to help animals but don't have any of your own, your shreds can still be useful. Veterinary offices and animal shelters in your area may be able to use shredded paper for their patients.
Recycled paper shreds can help with many other aspects of a sustainable lifestyle:
A wood-burning stove can be a great alternative to modern, inefficient furnaces for warmth. Paper shreds can be great fire-starters.
If you have larger amounts of shredded paper, you can make it into bricks. These bricks will last longer than loose paper in the fire, giving you more warmth.
A popular practice for people who want to live environmentally friendly is no-dig gardening. Yes, it's exactly what its name suggests. Paper shreds make a great compostable base to your soil.
If you're a fan of traditional gardening instead, paper shreds can still serve you well. They do a great job of retaining moisture in the soil.
When you plant new seeds, spread paper shreds on top of the soil. This is especially helpful for seeds that need a lot of moisture, like green beans.
If you farm worms, shredded paper can be perfect bedding material. Just make sure you use appropriate paper. For example, bleached white paper is not ideal, nor is colored newspaper.
For many environmentally conscious families, raising chickens is eco-friendly and economical. But buying styrofoam egg cartons for those chickens' eggs is not. Instead, a simple small box with paper shreds can be a great alternative.
If you're hatching eggs instead of frying them, paper shreds can also insulate a hatchery. Follow safety precautions to make sure it isn't a fire hazard with your heat source.
Paper shreds are naturally biodegradable. That makes them a fantastic addition to your compost pile.
If you're composting your paper shreds, smaller is better. Use a cross-cut shredder or, better yet, a high-security shredder. These smaller pieces compost more easily. Compost the paper as "brown" waste.
Keep in mind that some types of paper aren't compostable. It won't work for glossy paper (like magazine paper). The clear plastic "windows" in some envelopes aren't compostable either.
Household and corporate offices alike can be easily overwhelmed by masses of unnecessary paper. When you start recognizing the impact paper has on the environment, those stacks of paper become heartbreaking.
If you want to live a more environmentally friendly lifestyle, your first step is to reduce your paper use. Opt for refillable cups, print on scrap paper when possible, and stick to electronic communication.
But paper can't be entirely eliminated. Shredding your used documents keeps your personal information secure while helping you protect the planet.
This article offers concrete steps to help you use your shredded paper wisely. For more paper shredding tips, explore our blog. Or, if you're ready to start shredding your own documents, shop our wide selection of shredders.
]]>The landscape of thievery has evolved, so you need to always make sure you are ahead of the criminals. Destroying documents is one of the best things that you can do to ramp up your company's security.
It's important that you learn all about document shredding so that you can reach out to companies that specialize in this work. When taking the time to follow such procedures, you'll be in a great position to keep your business and the people in it as safe as possible.
Make use of this guide to help you out.
You might be asking yourself whether destroying your documents is really that big a deal or not.
Paper shredding has become incredibly popular in this day and age, so you will need to learn all you can about the practice. Below we'll break down the key reasons that you need to pay close attention to destroying documents and make it a regular practice.
When you run any kind of company, your customers are choosing to trust you with their information.
Whether they're handing over their address, phone number, credit card info, checking account numbers or background history -- you need to be a good steward of this information.
All it takes is a single breach to lose the trust of your customers, and this can have tremendous effects on your reputation.
Shredding documents as soon as possible allows you to assist your customers in this regard so that they can feel great about doing business with you and spreading the word.
It's not just the customers that are trusting you to safeguard their info -- you owe that same obligation to your workforce.
Think about it -- when employees sign on with a company, it's par for the course to give their social security number, health records, and other such info. Knowing this, you owe it to yourself to protect the livelihood of your employees.
It's important to know that identity theft isn't a fad -- it's a serious problem.
In fact, people had more than $16 billion stolen from them in identity theft cases in 2017, according to a study.
It's become a new avenue for career criminals to exploit, which is why you need to stay ahead of the curve by stopping them in their tracks. These people are aggressively going after sensitive information and are making fortunes stealing from people.
When you remain a good steward of destroying documents, you get a chance to play defense against this growing threat.
Breaching sensitive information can lead to thieves stealing your financial records to transfer money from your company.
This is why you need to be diligent about shredding checks, paystubs, and other important financial documents. The more you stay on top of this, the less chance you have of being robbed of your hard earned revenue.
Though consumers have been victims of identity theft in recent years, companies are getting hit harder than ever, and at alarming rates.
In fact, government bodies and companies have experienced a 40 percent increase in breaches over the past 2 years.
Because there's a market for criminals to exploit your company, you need to do everything in your power to prevent it -- starting with destroying documents.
Which brings us to...
Since you now know the importance of destroying your documents, you need to learn some valuable tips that will help you do it.
Following these points will help you make the most of any documents you are trying to discard:
More than anything, you need to develop a schedule for getting rid of your documents.
Paper shredding is broken down into seven different security levels. The security level and frequency that you need depends on the type of business you do and information you take in.
Think about these points so that you can figure out how frequency you need to handle shredding. One company might need daily shredding, while others can be fine handling it every week or once a month.
Once you develop a routine for this work, make sure that you stick to it on a regular basis.
Aside from frequency, you also need to know which documents to get rid of.
As a rule of thumb, you should always keep your tax returns, while other documents, such as pay stubs, can be shredded after a while. Above all, make sure that these sensitive documents never find their way into the garbage without being properly shredded.
It's important to understand the environmental effects of paper shredding since it is a green-friendly practice that all companies should happily embrace.
When you need to have your documents destroyed, you can do it more efficiently and at higher volumes when you bring in a professional company to handle it.
Make sure that you research the company to learn how they handle the document shredding services, and at which security levels. The more you know about this service and the company that provides it, the easier it will be for you to ramp up your company security.
Our company is the best around when it comes to document shredding services.
We would be happy to hear from you whenever you're in need of this sort of work. Take the time to visit our site and contact us today.
]]>Anybody who wants to protect their own identity and finances should consider purchasing a paper shredder.
More importantly, anybody who has the personal information of other people should purchase a shredder. Examples include doctors, lawyers, accountants, and other professionals who regularly deal with others' financial information or social security numbers.
Generally, if you have copies of customers' driver's licenses, insurance cards, billing information, banking records, or similar items, a paper shredder is a necessity.
Currently, there are 6 levels of shredder on the market. The lower the number, the less secure the shredding will be.
For bulk shredding, such as recycling plants or people who simply have a lot of unimportant papers to get rid of, a Level 1 shredder will suffice. These can be used for newspapers, magazines, junk mail, and other similar items.
For home offices and even medical offices, the best paper shredder is at least a Level 3. This Level meets HIPAA and FACTA standards, which are required for doctors.
As each shredder goes up in Level, the paper shreds get smaller in size. This is what adds greater security to document destruction.
The highest Level is 6, and this is required for classified government documents. While it may seem attractive to have this level of security at your disposal, the shredders themselves are limited in the number of sheets they can handle at once. They also can't handle staples or paper clips, as other shredders can.
Finding the best paper shredder will depend a lot on how you'll be using it. First, you have to figure out what type of documents you have that require shredding.
Here we've identified the top documents in your home and business that you should shred.
By 2018, it's expected that "card not present" (CNP) fraud result in $6.4 billion in stolen credit card transactions.
CNP has been rising as credit cards themselves have become more secure with the addition of chip cards. This has led thieves to ramp up their purchasing habits online and over the phone, where a physical card isn't needed.
For this reason, it's vital to protect credit card information by shredding any documents that contain credit card numbers.
For accountants and the general public alike, it's recommended to properly dispose of old tax returns.
While you may want to hold on to the past 2-3 years' worth - especially if you'll be applying for a mortgage or other major financing soon - there's usually no need to hang on to anything older than that.
However, you can't just throw away this type of paperwork. Tax returns have your social security number, legal name, address, employment information, etc. This is all valuable information for identity thieves.
Many businesses require photo identification and will hold copies in customer files.
While this is standard practice, every so often you should consider clearing out inactive accounts.
This will cut down on space in your filing cabinets, and improve security for past customers.
If you find your pockets full of old ATM or bank receipts, it's time to pull out the shredder.
While it's tempting to just throw out these slips along with the receipts from recent purchases, it's best to err on the side of caution.
Bank receipts often have a portion of your account number, in addition to your name and the local branch of your bank. This brings thieves one step closer to figuring out and hacking your accounts.
One common way for scammers to commit fraud is by coming across as an authority figure.
If they become aware of a legal situation you're involved with, they may call on the phone pretending to be a government figure (like the IRS), or even a lawyer who claims they can help defend you.
If you've been involved in any lawsuits or other legal situations, destroy all necessary paperwork securely with the best paper shredder.
And if you do get any suspicious phone calls, remember that entities like the IRS and other figures will not call you. It would be up to you to call them if there were any issues.
Similar to banking and legal documents, you don't want strangers to have any information related to your assets.
You've spent years saving for retirement, and even your home is part of your nest egg. Protect them by shredding any documents with identifying personal information related to your investments.
Once you've identified what types of paperwork you have that requires shredding, think about how big of a job that will be.
The best paper shredder for your accountant may not be the best paper shredder for you and vice versa.
If you simply have a lot of paper goods lying around (parents may notice piles of old homework and tests taking up space), a Level 1 or Level 2 shredder will handle the bulk quite well.
If you run a business or have a lot of sensitive items like those mentioned above, the best paper shredder will be a Level 3 or above.
And as previously stated, a Level 6 is the highest level of security and is used to destroy top secret, classified information. Remember that there is the drawback of smaller runs and having to remove any staples before using the equipment.
For this reason, having the highest level of security doesn't necessarily mean that you'll have the best paper shredder for your personal use. It's all about weighing the pros and cons of each option and determining which will fit your needs.
After you've assessed your personal situation and figured out what type of shredder will work, it's time to make your purchase!
If you have any questions about a particular model or need some more help choosing the right one, we're here to answer any questions.
Contact us for more information about choosing and buying your paper shredder.
]]>However, especially if you work within a government agency or handle classified information, standard confidential document destruction isn't enough.
In fact, the NSA has a list of evaluated products to ensure that none of the information you've processed falls into the wrong hands. While many people focus their efforts on cybersecurity, far fewer give that same amount of attention to their paper documents.
And even if you don't work in an industry that handles confidential information, it's still a smart idea to use the top-quality products to protect your data.
Read on to find out why it matters, as well as to learn about some of the best confidential document destruction shredders on the market today.
We live in an age where it's easier than ever to access people's personal information.
Even the NSA and the FBI aren't immune from dedicated thieves and hackers. However, as a business or a member of an agency with high-security clearance, it's your responsibility to protect the information you've been entrusted with.
It's not only the right thing to do. Often, it's a legal or regulatory requirement.
Shredding your documents with a product that uses cross-cut technology (which means that the paper is shredded both horizontally and vertically) ensures that you're following the law.
If you fail to properly follow the regulations, you will likely be hit with heavy fines. Not to mention, your business's or your personal reputation will be highly compromised.
You may even be out of a job.
Of course, especially if you work within a government agency, the consequences of sensitive information falling into the wrong hands can have catastrophic consequences -- which could leave you facing jail time.
More than 16 million Americans become victims of identity theft every year.
Do you really want your top client to be one of them?
Your clients and coworkers have entrusted you with confidential personal information, such as credit card and social security numbers, financial data, and more.
Routinely go through the client documents you store in your office and get rid of anything that you no longer need. To ensure that you aren't leaving stale documents behind, it's a smart idea to schedule a day of shredding at least once a month.
Plus, it's a nice opportunity for company bonding.
There will always be some documents that you need to have on hand and cannot discard. It's your responsibility to ensure that these documents are kept in a secure, locked box that is frequently monitored.
Of course, there's another upside to document shredding: the amount of space you'll be able to save in your office!
Confused about what types of things should go in the shredder?
Be sure to get rid of:
Now you're a bit more aware of some of the rules surrounding confidential document destruction. Next up on our to-do list?
Let's take a quick look at some of the best NSA compliant shredders on the market.
This shredder offers cross-cut destruction, can shred up to seven sheets at once, and comes with Level 6/P-7 security clearance.
It also comes with an automatic start/stop feature with a sensor that prevents the bin from overloading. To ensure that shredding your documents won't disrupt your workplace, the shredder also comes with whisper quiet technology.
If you need to shred a lower volume of documents, then this is the perfect option for you.
Keep in mind that this machine is unable to shred credit cards, CDs/DVDs, or paper clips. To ensure that you do not damage the machine, only shred paper materials.
If you need to do some serious shredding -- up to twenty-six reams every hour and ten sheets at once -- this shredder can get the job done.
It can also carry 20% more than the majority of NSA listed shredders are able to hold. It has key lock security and is made entirely of metal for added security. It's also been listed for approval for those needing Special Access Programs, Communications Secure, and Top Secret shredding.
If you have high-security concerns, then this is likely the confidential document destruction shredder for you.
Have additional questions about how to find the best document shredder for your business's needs?
If so, be sure to spend some time on our blog, which is full of helpful advice on countless topics.
If you already know the level of security clearance you need or have other specifications in mind? Then feel free to browse through our products. Don't forget to pick up extra supplies, such as shredder bags and shredder oils.
Don't run the risk of having your client's sensitive information or high-level secrets compromised.
Instead, always take the time to make sure you've invested in the best possible confidential document destruction products for the job.
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