How To Choose A Shredding Company

The threat of a fines from the FTC is preying on everyone’s minds. And unfortunately, there are some ruthless shredding services companies out there jumping on the bandwagon by offering what they claim to be a secure document destruction solution.

But before agreeing to what, on the surface may seem a good deal, dig a little deeper and consider the following;

1. Is the shredding company accredited?
   Check if the shredding company you’re considering is registered with the state and the National Association of Information Destruction (NAID). As an accredited member, companies offering shredding services are required to adhere to stringent standards . This ensures the security of all aspects of their business; from their premises, vehicles and employees through to the size the materials are shredded to.
2. Will you be provided with evidence of document destruction?
   Following document destruction, you should be issued with a certificate of destruction detailing the type of material destroyed, the amount destroyed and the date it was destroyed on. Each document destruction certificate should also contain a unique reference number which means you are provided with a complete audit trail of the shredding service.
3. Are their employees security checked?
   Due to the secure nature of the role, it’s important to ensure the personnel handling your confidential information are security cleared. Make sure that their employees have completed background checks.
4. Do they offer an on-site shredding service?
   Using an on-site document destruction company guarantees the security of your documents your confidential, sensitive material is destroyed on site and in your view. If an off-site service suits you better, make sure the material collected is destroyed within 24 hours. Also, ensure the transportation of the material is “trackable” and the document destruction and recycling facility itself is fully secure.
5. Does the shredding company provide secure storage containers?
   Are these containers secure and lockable? Are they high quality and do they look good? Will they help you decide how many you need and will they fit in with the rest of your office furniture?
6. Can they provide a national and flexible service?
   Is the mobile shredding company regularly in your area? Do they have a base in the area? Check to ensure that alongside a regular scheduled shredding service, they have the flexibility and capacity to accommodate adhoc collections and large “clutter clearouts”.
7. How environmentally friendly are they?
   Review their green credentials. What happens to your materials once they’re destroyed? Are they recycled? Do they operate a tree planting scheme? Do they operate green routes as well as using lighter, quieter vehicles to further reduce their carbon footprint?
8. Will they securely destroy other media? Its not just paper that contains sensitive and confidential information. Hard drives, memory sticks, CDs/DVDs and laptops can all still store confidential files even after deletion and should be completely destroyed.
9. What insurances do they have? Make sure the shredding company you decide to use is properly covered. Check they have up to date employers’ liability, public liability and product liability. Professional indemnity insurance is also a bonus.
10. Are they bonded?
    In the event that there is a security breach, are they willing to stand behind there service. Bonding helps to insure that a company is willing to accept responsibility for their staff, and its another company to back them up. This process helps to build confidence and trust.