Answers to the Top 5 Document Destruction Questions
As secure shredding experts, we love to share our knowledge. Every day we receive document destruction questions from current and prospective customers. In this blog, we answer the top five.
Q: What should I shred?
A: Discarding bank statements, tax records, medical bills, and other confidential documents in a dumpster, curbside trash can, or recycling bin increases your exposure to identity theft. Any unwanted document containing personally identifiable information (PII) or protected health information (PHI) should be destroyed.
Q: Is it expensive to outsource my document destruction?
A: Considering the costs of buying and maintaining office paper shredders, the added kilowatts per hour they consume, and the time your staff spends shredding, in-house document destruction is expensive. An outsourced shredding solution with a trusted document destruction provider helps you save money and time.
Q: What are the standards for document destruction providers?
A: The National Association of Information Destruction (NAID) is an international trade organization that enforces the highest standard of ethics for shredding and destruction companies. A NAID AAA Certified document destruction provider is subject to random audits by third-party, accredited security professionals who confirm compliance in the following areas:
- Personnel screening practices
- Equipment and facility safety
- Liability insurance
Partnering with a NAID AAA Certified document destruction provider ensures your information is securely and ethically disposed of.
Q: How do I create a company-wide document destruction policy?
A: Seek the help of a shredding services company. A trusted provider can offer document retention and final disposition guidance and help your company carry out best practices for disposing of confidential business records. After assessing your individual document destruction needs, they can set a customized document destruction schedule for your business.
Q: What is a Certificate of Destruction?
A: State and federal information privacy laws and industry compliance standards require businesses to document their information disposal practices. A Certificate of Destruction is a document issued by your document destruction provider after they shred your paper records. It includes the date, location and summary of materials collected and destroyed for documented proof of your organization’s compliance.
If you have a question we have not answered here, please call us at 615-242-9600 or complete the form on this page. We love answering your questions!
Richards & Richards offers shredding and destruction services for businesses throughout Nashville.
