Wednesday, July 9, 2014 8:09 pm, Posted by Absolute Destruction
Document destruction is not something a lot of businesses consider to be a critical process. It is not uncommon for businesses to keep outdated confidential information on hand for years after regulations have stipulated that they need to be destroyed. Even more common is the unsecure disposal of documents that could contain information that compromises both the integrity and reputation of a business.
Typically overlooked items like financial statements, client lists, and even routine correspondence may contain pieces of information that could be used malevolently by third parties. Information such as financial records, insurance and medical records, legal records, or credit card numbers could easily be present on even the most mundane of documents. This is why it is so crucial to hire a trusted shredding and document destruction company. Here at Absolute Destruction, we don’t take anything for granted. We understand the regulations and we offer on-site service and consultation that ensures the security of sensitive information and proper compliance with federal and provincial legislation.
How to Know Which Documents to Shred
When deciding which paper documents need to be shredded, they key focus should be on getting rid of information that could cause harm to individuals or your business. It is safe to assume that any documents that display social security numbers, medical records, or insurance records could be harmful to individuals if they were to wind up in the hands of identity thieves. Financial theft is also a serious risk, so be sure to shred any cancelled cheques or documents that would display credit card numbers, bank account information, and the like.
Criminal fraud isn’t the only concern here, as there are many privacy laws, both federal and provincial, that need to be complied with. Strict regulation on customer and employee privacy mandates that much of the personal information businesses keep must be protected. Not ensuring that this information is protected could denote legal liability on the part of your business.
It goes without saying that any documents your competitors could use against you should also be routinely shredded. Business plans, designs, marketing material, and price lists are all examples of documents, which although not legally compromising, could be damaging to your business if in the possession of a competitor or potential blackmailer.
Digital Documents
In addition to the shredding of paper documents, electronic documents can pose a serious risk to the security of your sensitive data. Many companies don’t realize the extent to which their digital files can compromise the integrity of their business. Items like external hard drives, pen drives, compact discs, and circuit boards can all contain information that should be protected.
The Document Destruction process may seem like a daunting task, but Absolute Destruction is here to help! We work on-site at our customer’s location and we understand all the challenges associated with keeping your information secure.