With everything being digital, it is often easy to forget that information still exists in physical form. Financial statements, doctors’ records, medical files, and employee records are all confidential documents that may exist in paper form. These documents accumulate over time, and when the time comes to dispose of them, shredding is the most secure option. The good news is that various document destruction companies offer off-site destruction services. The question is: is off-site document destruction safe? Availing the services of a NAID-certified destruction company can ensure the safety and security of your sensitive information.
Is Off-Site Document Destruction Safe?
In comparison to on-site destruction, where destruction occurs at your location, off-site destruction involves a shredding company collecting your documents and transporting them to a secure location for shredding.
Many businesses prefer off-site shredding due to its advantages.
- Off-site shredding can handle larger volumes of paper at once.
- The use of industrial-grade shredders in off-site facilities produces finer, cross-cut threads.
- It may be a more cost-effective option.
Safety Concerns
Understandably, sending sensitive documents to another location raises privacy and security concerns. After all, these documents contain employee or consumer data or financial information that is protected by law.
You may find yourself asking the following questions:
- How can you ensure that your documents do not get lost, do not get stolen, or are not tampered with?
- How can you ensure that nobody intercepts the documents during transport?
- How do you know for certain that the destruction took place if you were not there to witness the off-site shredding?
These concerns are valid. The good news is, reputable shredding companies have strict guidelines in place to address these concerns.
How Off-site Shredding Companies Ensure Security
Trustworthy shredding companies implement security measures at every stage of the process.
Locked Containers
Shredding companies ensure that nobody will be able to access your documents by collecting them using secure, tamper-proof bins or consoles.
Secure Transport
Shredding companies secure the transfer of the documents to the shredding location by equipping trucks with GPS tracking, security seals, and limited access to protect the documents.
Restricted Facilities
The shredding plants have controlled entry, are equipped with surveillance cameras, and staff who are background-checked to reduce the risk of unauthorized handling.
Industrial Shredding
The shredded documents are impossible to reconstruct because shredding companies use high-powered machines that turn paper into confetti-like pieces.
Certificate of Destruction
The shredding company will provide you with an official document confirming that your materials have been securely destroyed. This document usually includes the date, time, and method of destruction.
Some companies also allow clients to watch a video recording of the shredding process, providing them with additional peace of mind.
Legal Compliance and Data Protection
Mishandling of documents can lead to fines, lawsuits, or damage to your reputation. A Certified off-site shredding provider ensures that privacy laws and regulations are complied with and confidential documents are securely destroyed.
How to Choose the Right Shredding Company
When choosing an off-site shredding company, look for:
- NAID AAA Certification (from the National Association for Information Destruction) or equivalent local certifications
- Experience: Choose a company with a good track record in handling sensitive information and in off-site shredding.
- Transparency: Ask the company about the chain of custody, their procedures, employee screening process, and shredding methods.
- Customer Reviews: Testimonials and client reviews are a good way to gauge trustworthiness.
So, is off-site destruction safe? If you partner with a reputable, certified shredding company, the answer is, yes. Because your documents are placed in locked containers, transported in secure transportation, and shredded in a monitored facility with official documentation, you can rest assured that your sensitive information is protected from start to finish.
If you are looking for a reputable and certified off-site shredding partner, talk to us today so we can discuss how our procedure can help you destroy your sensitive information securely.
