Author: Crown Information Managment

Advice from a Certified Document Destruction & Records Management Company 

The term data breach has become a standard phrase in our conversations. Yet, this generic term carries with it many meanings. When you think about a data breach, what comes to mind? A hooded figure in some dark room staring at a computer screen and typing furiously to hack into a system? The term is vague but generally means that secure or private information has been moved to an untrustworthy environment. The most surprising part is that, quite often, this movement of data isn’t intentional. Yes, it can be an unscrupulous hacker, but it can also be an employee going about their day with a touch of negligence or sheer naiveté. They may answer the wrong email or throw out paper documents instead of placing them in secure shredding bins.

Show Respect for Our Planet with Help from a Reliable Shredding Company 

The first Earth Day was in April 1970. This was before the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Clean Air Act, and Clean Water Act. In short, there was nothing concrete or regulatory in place to protect the environment. Then in the spring of 1970, Senator Gaylor Nelson’s idea was put in motion, forcing the nation to address environmental concerns. Many do not know that the paper shredder was first patented in 1909 and was based on a hand-operated pasta-making machine. By the 1930s, the first paper shredder was used to destroy anti-Nazi propaganda to avoid being caught by authorities—quite the exciting story!

Hire Professional Records Storage and Management Services 

The past few years have been a roller coaster for many – staying in place versus returning to the office. Several organizations decided that it didn’t have to be one or the other when it could be a bit of both.  Many employers and their teams learned that much of their jobs could be successfully handled remotely from their homes. This created a new dilemma. What about all those records being stored in semi-occupied office spaces? How do you keep all the financial and legal documents, including those with personally identifiable information, safe at all times? 

Qualified Document Destruction and Records Management Company 

Law and medical offices have various documents and records to store and destroy. These two industries also must follow strict regulations on how the destruction of the papers is handled. Failure to comply can result in fines and loss of reputation. This is one of the main reasons it makes much sense to utilize the services of a quality paper shredding company. They understand what you need and go above and beyond to ensure their service helps you stay in compliance. The best ones have the certifications to back their claims. When you know what to look for, you can rest assured that your records are well handled.

Professional Shredding Services Save Time and Money

Shredding laws are in place to protect consumers and companies. They ensure that documents and computers with sensitive information are appropriately handled. No one wants their personally identifiable information to fall into the hands of an identity thief. That is a recipe for disaster. Businesses must decide the best method for getting rid of confidential records and old computers. Some choose to shred their files in-house, believing it saves them money. Others understand the benefits of adequately disposing of documents through their local professional paper shredding company.

Shredding sensitive documents prevents thieves from stealing information that could put your company at risk. Dumpster divers look for anything that can give them a leg up in their illegal ventures. You don’t want to be the company with its reputation tarnished because of negligence that can be avoided easily. That is why it makes sense to use the services of a NAID AAA paper shredding company. They show up at your location, remove the tamper-proof shred bins, shred the documents onsite, and give you a certificate of destruction. They give you the peace of mind and confidence that any business documents with personal identifying information don’t fall into the wrong hands.

Friendly Reminder to Keep Recycling Costs Down

Since they make your job easier, why not do your part to ensure efficiency at every step? Document shredding companies rely on their clients to put the correct type of recycled material in the bins. Sometimes, things get mixed up. Items that do not belong in a paper shredder find their way in, and it can cause delays and even damage, which can lead to a higher cost of services. You can help by ensuring your team uses the shredding bins correctly.

A Place for Everything and Everything in Its Place 

The primary use of shred bins is to safely store unwanted documents until your preferred document destruction company empties them. They are convenient and reduce worry about losing records unnecessarily. Here are some simple guidelines to ensure your team uses the receptacles properly:

Items that can go into the shred bin. Let’s start with what is allowed to be placed in the receptacle for document destruction, even if it has staples or paper clips:

• Confidential records
• Outdated printed files and forms
• Manila file folders
• Spiral notebooks
• Presentation papers
• Checks
• Payment copies
• Receipts
• Contact lists
• Employee records
• Strategy development plans
• Private correspondence
• Envelopes
• Official documents
• Medical records
• Boarding passes
• Financial records
• Any document with personally identifiable information (i.e., full name, Social Security Number, driver’s license number, mailing address, credit card number, etc.)
  

Items that should never go into the shredding bin. It shouldn’t go in with the shredding if it isn’t paper. Here are some classic examples of what not to mix with paper products:

• Masks – Most are made with petroleum-based, non-renewable polymers. They are non-biodegradable, meaning they are hazardous to the environment. They are considered contaminated material, which should never be placed in a shred bin.
• Batteries – If a battery leaks, especially one with lithium, it can cause a fire. Used batteries can overheat, catch fire, or explode. 
• Garbage – A recycling bin is for recycling only, not someone’s leftover lunch.  
• Syringes
• Glass
• Plastic
• Cans
• Cardboard tubes
• Ink cartridges
• Toner cartridges
• Hanging folders
• Nuts and bolts
• Hard drives
• Offices supplies such as hole punches and staple removers
• 3-ring binders
• X-ray film

Follow Best Practices with Your Document Destruction  

You can make the most of your shredding bins by placing in them all the paper documents you no longer need. Then talk to the team at Crown Information Management about options for destroying hard drives, electronics, office furniture, and x-ray films. We are here to meet your document destruction and records management needs. Learn more when you call us today. 

For timely destruction of documents, products, hard drives, and secure, pest-free storage with a SOC1 Level 2 Report,NAID AAA, and PCI Certified company. Call Crown Information Management at 800-979-9545 or contact us online to learn more about our document storage, destruction, and shredding services. 

Professional Shredding Services Keep You Legal

A data breach causes many headaches for all involved. Consumers must worry if their identity will be stolen. Companies face a tainted reputation and the government’s ire if a breach occurs that could have been avoided. For years data destruction laws and regulations have mandated how companies store and destroy data. The goal is to protect both consumers and employees. From HIPAA in 1996 to FACTA in 2003, more and more businesses have tightened their internal protocols to ensure they don’t fall on the wrong side of the government. An unsung hero in the quest to properly dispose of records is your local professional paper shredding company. They have the resources to ensure valuable, confidential, personal information does not fall into the wrong hands.

Professional Document Destruction to Keep Your New Year’s Resolution

After the holidays have settled down, many companies look at their next big event—tax season. Preparing for taxes often includes gathering up the current year’s paperwork for storage and purging any old records. If you aren’t meticulous with planning and organizing, your office may quickly turn messy with stacks of files and boxes littering the landscape. Even if your fiscal year doesn’t end on December 31^st, developing an annual purge of records, hard drives, and electronics makes good sense for a decluttered and well-functioning office. To make the process easier on everyone, choose the services of a professional paper shredding company. They will come to your location and take all the clutter away.

The turkey has settled, and the holiday season is gearing up for that fun and festive time. Different industries are heading into their busiest time. Retail stores must focus on stocking their shelves for their patrons, and medical offices are heading into the flu season. Don’t forget that the New Year is right around the corner. It is the perfect time to clear the offices and start January with a clean slate. A year-end paper purge can put you in the best place to meet next year’s goals and aspirations. However, you don’t want to throw out documents with the regular trash, giving criminals a wonderful Christmas present. Instead, schedule an appointment with a professional paper shredding company. They have the resources to ensure criminals don’t get their devious hands on valuable, confidential, personal information.