No two businesses have the exact same way of doing things, but most business leaders would probably agree that cost efficiency and security are key factors that drive decision making. So, shredding services need to offer ways for businesses to customize their services without sacrificing data security or budget.
The best way to find out how your shredding services can be tailored to your business’s unique needs is to reach out to your shredding company and ask. Read on for some ideas about how to make shredding work best for you.
Shredding Services May be Tailored to Your Business’s Needs By:
Allowing flexible scheduling
Many businesses generate a pretty steady stream of shreddable waste. They can predict how often their recycling bins are going to fill up and can schedule pick-ups on a recurring basis. That’s nice and easy; the shredding service shows up just when you need them, without anyone having to remember to call them.
Your business might be fine with that kind of consistent schedule most of the year, but have busy periods when you need more frequent pick-ups. Or slow periods when you want to skip a recurring pick-up. Sometimes you might want to schedule same-day service to make sure that sensitive materials are securely destroyed right away. Bottom line? Make sure your recycling services will work around your business’s schedule, and not the other way around.
Accepting non-paper materials
Shredding is a secure way to permanently destroy many materials, not just paper. Every time your business gets rid of computers or other obsolete tech, the hard drives need to be destroyed. Old payment cards, ID badges and keycards should be destroyed when they’re no longer needed. Damaged or off-spec products also need to be shredded so they don’t end up on the resale market. Make sure your chosen shredding service has both the equipment and the expertise to securely destroy hard drives and any other non-paper materials your business may need shredded.
Accommodating compliance and documentation needs
Obviously no one wants to work with a shredding service that doesn’t prioritize security. However, certain organizations have to be especially diligent because they’re legally bound to the highest standards for disposing of sensitive materials. Any organization that has access to private health information is covered by the HIPAA Security Rule, for example. These entities must use shredding or another secure and permanent way to destroy any records containing PHI. Companies that do legal, financial and/or government work may also have internal rules about secure data disposal.
Shredding services are familiar with these data destruction compliance requirements. They should be willing to accommodate any reasonable requests related to security and reporting. For example, if your organization needs to witness and document the entire shredding process, or needs documentation of the shredding service’s credentials.
Equipment and education
A lot of people who pass through your business probably aren’t entirely clear about what can go in a recycling bin, what should go in a trash can and what should be put into a locked container for shredding. Your shredding company can help you keep sensitive data from ending up in the wrong place by supplying additional, well-labeled collection containers. Ask for a brief overview of shredding best practices so everyone in your workplace can be on the same page.
How Can Northeast Data Destruction Customize Your Shredding Services?
Northeast Data Destruction has decades of experience providing secure shredding services to Massachusetts organizations of all kids. We build each customer’s shredding plan to meet their specific needs, right down to allowing customers to visit our NAID AAA-certified facility to witness their materials being shredded. Let’s talk—contact me today!