Answers to Common Questions About Secure Shredding and Information Protection

If your business handles sensitive information, you already know how important it is to keep that data safe. Your clients depend on you to protect their personal information. When it’s time to dispose of old documents, hard drives, or other confidential materials, you are bound to have questions. What should you shred? How often should you destroy documents? And how do you know the information is really gone for good? Professional shredding companies help clients with these questions all the time and can help guide you in setting up the best system for your business or organization.

6 Common Shredding Questions Answered

As you stare down a pile of papers, wondering if now is the right time to destroy them, or you wonder if certain materials can be shredded, check out these six common questions and their answers:

1. Why should my business use professional shredding services instead of managing the task in-house? Professional shredding offers you more than convenience. It provides you with peace of mind. In-house shredders often cannot handle high volumes of paper. You will discover that it leaves pieces large enough for thieves to reconstruct. A professional shredding company ensures that your documents are destroyed, helping you remain compliant with privacy laws such as HIPAA and FACTA. Plus, it saves your team time and includes a Certificate of Destruction to prove your materials were handled securely.
2. What types of materials can be shredded? Commercial shredding services cover more than just paper. Businesses like yours across Florida rely on certified shredding providers to securely destroy the following:
   • Paper documents
   • Hard drives and other digital media
   • X-rays and medical films
   • Old employee IDs, uniforms, or branded material
   • Old office equipment
3. How often should I schedule shredding services? There isn’t a clear-cut answer because it depends on your document volumes and compliance requirements. Regular shredding helps reduce storage clutter and eliminates the risk of outdated files being left unsecured. Many businesses choose between these options based on their needs:

1. Routine shredding services that can be scheduled for weekly, biweekly, or monthly pickups to stay consistent.
2. One-time purges are ideal for annual cleanouts or when moving offices.
3. Walk-in services are ideal for low-volume transactions and individual consumers.

4. What’s the difference between on-site and off-site shredding? With on-site shredding, a mobile shredding truck comes to your location so you can watch your documents being destroyed immediately. Off-site shredding offers the same level of security but allows your materials to be securely transported to a certified shredding facility for destruction. Both options are compliant, convenient, and designed to meet your needs.
5. Do I need to remove staples or paper clips before shredding? No. Industrial shredding machines are designed to handle staples, paper clips, and even folders. This means you have less prep work and a faster, more efficient shredding process.
6. How will I know my records are securely destroyed? Established shredding providers will provide you with a Certificate of Destruction that documents the date, location, and method of destruction. It serves as legal proof of compliance, especially in healthcare, finance, or legal fields.

Protect What Matters Most with Help from Crown Information Management

Secure shredding is one of the simplest and most effective ways to protect your business, employees, and clients from data theft or compliance violations. Crown Information Management offers comprehensive solutions for managing your paper and electronic records, including routine shredding, one-time purge services, secure digital media destruction, and document storage and indexing. Our services meet the highest security standards and include a Certificate of Destruction for your records. Protect your data and peace of mind with a shredding solution tailored to your company’s specific needs. 

For expert help with media destruction, scanning, indexing, shredding, records management, and document storage, call Crown Information Management. You can reach us at 800-979-9545 or contact us online to learn more about our services. Put our team to work for you. We are a SOC1, NAID AAA, and PCI-certified company.