Shred on Site

The paperless environment is the aim for many businesses in 2017 but the reality is that this still creates a wide range of data-soaked media. Non-paper media could be anything from X-rays, to CDs and DVDs, which have been loaded up with often-highly sensitive material that would be a disadvantage in the wrong hands. With data privacy and security increasingly high up on the priorities list for businesses, it’s important to consider the destruction of non-paper media as much as traditional documents. In the same way that on-site paper shredding provides a secure and simple way to dispose of all paper waste, shredding non-paper items can fulfil the same function.

Meeting expectations

Data must be disposed of securely today and if this isn’t done then there may be sanctions and potential legal implications for the business that could be costly. Not only is there the financial cost to consider but the reputational impact too – if data from non-paper media falls into the wrong hands then this could create considerable reluctance on the part of customers or clients to hand over data that is a necessary part of business relationships. If customers or clients feel that security is poor then this is one of the key factors that can drive business away.

Ensuring compliance

UK Data Protection regulations – as well as the incoming European GDPR – create increasingly higher standards for businesses handling personal and professional data, sensitive or otherwise. Non-compliance can result in hefty fines that could be crippling so it’s crucial to ensure that destruction of non-paper media is properly carried out and nothing can be recovered. On-site paper shredding services can also be extended to non-paper media, such as film, tapes, photos, badges or USB sticks to provide complete peace of mind that the task has been properly finished.

Avoiding potential issues

It’s not simply enough to wipe a USB stick, cut up an x-ray or redact information on a badge with a marker. Many of us rely on this kind of behaviour as an effective form of data destruction but the reality is that it’s still possible for someone else to recover information from non-paper media that have not been properly disposed of. The consequences of unwittingly providing a third party with important, personal or sensitive data could be disastrous – it’s just not worth the risk. The process of on-site shredding makes data completely unrecoverable from any kind of media – it is a complete solution with no potential for error.

Destruction guaranteed

Because it’s now so important to be able to ensure that data cannot be retrieved from non-paper media, we can even offer a form of certificate that guarantees the media in question has been destroyed to a high level so that it could not be retrieved or reconstructed. Whether you’re dealing with highly sensitive information or you’re wary of falling foul of data protection legislation, this kind of peace of mind is invaluable.

Get in touch with Shred-on-Site today to find out how our on-site paper shredding services could benefit your business.

Author: Mark Coombes, Follow me on Google+