You will come across or create sensitive documents regularly if you own a business. The actual amount will depend on your industry, which can range from health to accounting, legal or government, or any professional services business, as well as the size of your company.
Regardless, there will come a time when you must choose between an in-house shredding machine and a professional shredding company. Most businesses recognize the importance of shredding unwanted documents, but few do it correctly. Companies spend thousands of dollars on store-bought shredders and waste valuable employee time shredding documents.
This blog will cover the dangers of in-house shredding and how to avoid them.
The Dangers of In-House Shredding
Businesses and consumers are increasingly aware of the importance of securely destroying documents containing confidential information. However, implementing in-house shredding programmes can introduce new risks:
Fire Risks
Many companies are unaware that using paper shredders can cause fires. Paper shredders are powered by electricity and, like all electrical devices, are susceptible to overheating and power surges. Paper particles and dust generated during shredding are also extremely flammable.
Using a professional shredding service in New Jersey can not only save you time and money, but it can also make your work significantly safer.
Productivity Loss
Employees are used to shredding unwanted documents in in-house shredding programmes. It means less time for activities that generate revenue. Outsourcing shredding to a qualified provider saves time and keeps your employees productive.
Air Quality Issues
Excessive paper dust can also have adverse health consequences, such as lung infections and respiratory disease. Even small paper shredders purchased from an office supply store produce a lot of paper dust. By replacing your in-house shredding programme with a reputable outsourced shredding service, you can avoid the release of hazardous dust particles in your office.
You need to know more about Animixplay
Staff Security
The majority of workplace accidents are avoidable.
Although paper shredder injuries are rare, they do occur.
Employees’ clothing, long hair, and even jewellery can entangle the shredding blades. While clearing paper jams, serious lacerations can occur.
A shredding service protects your employees from shredding injuries and protects your company from liability. Your shredding service provider will deliver secure, locked collection containers to your office.
Because they do not require electricity and have no mechanical parts, your employees can dispose of sensitive documents quickly and safely for secure shredding.
Bruises and cuts
The blades on a shredder are extremely sharp and can cause serious injuries if not used properly.
If you or one of your employees inadvertently places a finger in the wrong place, you could be in for some serious cuts.
Maintenance costs for an office shredder
In addition to the physical and security risks associated with keeping an in-house shredder, maintenance costs are also to consider. An office shredder, like any other piece of machinery, is prone to problems and hiccups from time to time. And if you don’t take care of it, it will lead to bigger problems.
Risk of a security breach.
In-house shredding is not only expensive but also dangerous. Confidential documents are either not shredded or discarded in a waste or recycling bin rather than being destroyed. Either option increases your company’s vulnerability to data breaches, resulting in significant legal consequences.
Several federal regulations impose severe penalties on businesses that fail to protect consumer information:
- The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act was enacted in 1996. (HIPAA)
- Credit Transactions Act of Fairness and Accuracy (FACTA)
- Act Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX)
- The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) (FCRA)
- Act of Gramm-Leach-Bliley (GLBA)
NAID AAA certification
A NAID AAA Certified secure shredding service provides verifiable methods for ensuring the safe and timely disposal of confidential information. A shredding plant must meet 17 stringent audit requirements to achieve NAID AAA Certification. A fence must protect the facility of a certified vendor with controlled access, monitored security cameras, and alarm sensors throughout the building and property. Once certified, each vendor is subject to surprise audits to ensure they continue to meet NAID’s high standards.
Outsourcing for the sake of safety and convenience
It’s unlikely that you’re in the shredding business. So, why would you want to take on such an important task? Doing your shredding will not only divert your attention away from your primary business but may also pose a serious risk if done incorrectly. A confidential shredding service can protect you from risks. If you have an in-house shredding programme or are considering starting one, we urge you to consider the risks carefully.
InfoShield Security is the best solution for that need in Englewood, NJ. We can offer your company an appealing secure shredding offer that includes an auditable chain of custody. It’s yet another reason that outsourcing your shredding to Infosheild Security is a secure and better business decision.
Conclusion:
Using an in-house shredder carries several risks.
Before making a decision, it’s critical to consider all factors, from physical dangers to hidden costs.
It may be preferable in some cases to outsource your shredding needs to a professional shredding company.
If you decide to use an in-house shredder, ensure that your documents are properly destroyed and that your office is safe. Train your employees on how to use the machine properly and keep records of shredded documents. Most importantly, remember to maintain the machine regularly to avoid major problems down the road.
Interesting information about Jable
