Most businesses understand the need for shredding their sensitive documents. Some businesses will attempt to handle their shredding needs in-house, but this comes at a much greater security risk. In-house shredders available for businesses are not as effective or secure, and there is a much greater risk for human error. It is far better for your business to trust the professionals to handle your business document and data destruction, but finding the right partner can be a challenge.
How Do You Know You Can Trust Your Shredding Service?
You are outsourcing your shredding to ensure that you are doing everything possible to protect the sensitive information for both your business and your customers. But how do you know that you can trust your shredding service to protect that information? There are some ways to tell that your shredding service has the experience and capabilities to take care of your data destruction.
- Your shredding service should be certified by the National Association for Information Destruction (NAID). NAID has established the standards for secure destruction processes. This certification requires random, unannounced audits to assure clients that certification requirements are consistently met and enforced.
- A quality shredding service should provide a Certificate of Destruction after every shred or data destruction. A Certificate of Destruction is proof that your information is no longer at risk and your business is compliant with privacy laws.
Using Mobile Shredding Services
With mobile shredding services, a shred truck will come to your business site and will take care of all data destruction right on the premises. This service is ideal for businesses who have policies requiring that all shredding takes place at their location. The locked totes are picked up, securely transported to the mobile shred truck, and immediately destroyed. This is both convenient and can allow your business to personally witness the document destruction process. After the on-site shredding, you will be provided with a Certificate of Destruction. A mobile shredding service can give your business the peace of mind that your documents were handled securely throughout the process. Be careful not to assume that the service is secure just because it is being done in front of you. A NAID certified service provider has had its employees background checked, drug tested, and thoroughly trained on proper shredding protocol, including what to do in case of a breach. Anyone can show up with a truck. NOT everyone has been properly trained on security protocol and NAID Certification.
Hard Drive Destruction
While document shredding is important, many data breaches are the result of improper destruction of hard drives and other electronic equipment. The right corporate shredding service will not only handle your document shredding but will also destroy electronic equipment. Merely “wiping” a hard drive is not sufficient. Full destruction is necessary so the data on old hard drives can never be retrieved or reconstructed. A high-quality shredding service will have the capabilities to provide this service.
How Often Do You Need Data Destruction Services?
Many businesses underestimate how often they need data destruction services. One of the best ways to ensure that your organization is on top of your information security is to stick to a regular schedule. Many organizations find that a monthly or bi-monthly schedule is the best way to make sure that they are always protected. Having a data destruction service that provides secure, locked containers, regular pickups, and mobile shredding services with a Certificate of Destruction is a smart way to keep your information safe.
Finding the right partner for your data destruction services is easier when you know what to look for. Find a company who values professionalism, has a fair amount of experience, and has the capabilities to physically destroy your old electronic equipment. A company who secures the proper industry-specific professional liability insurance for their customers, properly trains its employees, and takes pride in their service offerings is always the right company to partner with, which is why AccuShred is the perfect choice. We are proud to serve and be a part of this community, and we’d love to help you keep your sensitive information secure. Contact us today to learn more about the benefits of our data destruction services.