Protecting Sensitive Information Across High-Risk Industries

Nearly every business handles sensitive information, including customer addresses, financial records, and personally identifiable information (PII). For some industries, the risk is even higher due to strict regulations and the serious consequences of a data breach.

Healthcare providers, for example, manage patient medical records, Social Security numbers, and insurance details every day. If this information is not properly stored or destroyed, it can lead to compliance violations, financial penalties, and loss of trust. Partnering with a professional shredding and information management service helps organizations protect sensitive data while reducing risk and administrative burden.

5 Industries that Use Professional Shredding

Any business can benefit from using professional document destruction, but these five industries benefit the most:

1. Healthcare providers: Medical facilities handle many types of sensitive information, including patient records, billing information, and insurance forms. They must also comply with strict HIPAA requirements. Routine HIPAA-compliant shredding and secure destruction of both paper documents and hard drives reduces risk and stress for healthcare providers. 
2. Financial institutions: Banks, credit unions, accounting firms, and lenders work with a high volume of personal and financial data. They must comply with the Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act (FACTA) and applicable local privacy obligations to ensure their clients’ PII remains secure. Secure media destruction services protect customers and a financial institution’s brand reputation.
3. Law firms: Attorneys deal with confidential documents and case files daily. They also have ethical obligations to protect their clients’ information. Law firms also require a documented chain of custody and certificates of destruction, which a professional shredding company can provide.
4. Educational institutions: School administrators maintain student records, employee files, and administrative documents. They need to keep the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) in mind as they consider the challenges of storage and outdated records. Walk-in shredding services can help with cleanouts, end of the school year, or office transitions, too.
5. Small and mid-sized businesses: It is a common misconception that small businesses are not targets for cyber thieves. Small and mid-sized businesses house human resource files, customer records, and vendor contracts. Valuable information that no business would want exposed! Outsourcing shredding is an affordable, scalable solution that also saves time and reduces liability.

Why Professional Shredding Makes a Difference

The difference between using an office shredder and working with a professional shredding provider is significant. In-house shredders take time, can jam or break, and often don’t meet security or compliance standards. Professional shredding services offer consistent processes, secure handling, and documented proof that sensitive information is destroyed properly.

Crown Information Management supports organizations across multiple industries with secure shredding, storage, and media destruction solutions designed to meet today’s compliance needs.

As a trusted information management partner, we provide trained staff, secure equipment, and clear chain-of-custody procedures. Our services, such as on-site and off-site shredding, allow businesses to choose the option that best fits their workflow, while Certificates of Destruction support compliance efforts and audits. We also understand industry regulations, including HIPAA, FACTA, and FERPA, reducing risk and uncertainty.

For businesses that handle confidential paper records, hard drives, X-rays, or other sensitive materials, outsourcing document destruction to us helps protect customer information, saves time, and limits liability. Working with us ensures secure disposal practices are followed from start to finish, so you can focus on running your business with confidence.

For experienced help with shredding, X-ray and media destruction, scanning, indexing, 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. Let our team work for you. We are a SOC1, NAID AAA, and PCI-certified company.