Shred-A-Way

Are You Shredding Your Hard Drives? Here’s Why You May Want to Start

Thu, 08 Aug 2019 04:29:45 GMT

Why do I Need to Shred My Hard Drives?

If you value keeping your data secure, hard drive shredding is the only way to ensure for certain that your electronic files cannot be recovered.

Computer and mobile hard drives can store quite literally thousands of pages worth of data; it isn’t worth taking the gamble, especially if you’ve ever stored sensitive and compromising information on your device.

Electronic Data Recovery: a Double Edged Sword

You may have heard of services available to attempt to recover deleted data from hard drives. While these services are often used to help people who have faced mechanical failures that don’t corrupt or delete information, in some cases data can indeed be recovered from hard drives after it has been “deleted”.

Electronic data can sometimes be stored in recoverable fragments which can remain on a hard drive even after files have been deleted. This can be great when something is accidentally deleted and needs to be recovered, but can also cause problems if a computer is disposed of, and the hard drive lands into the wrong hands.

How Shredding Your Drive(s) Protects Your Data

Shredding your drives ensures that data recovery from your hard drive is physically impossible; no matter whose hands it may fall into.

Hard drives use magnetic platters or disks to store information on. For as long as these magnetic platters that live within the hard drive are in-tact, it is possible for data to be recovered from them. Hard drive destruction ensures that these platters and the rest of the hardware is thoroughly and completely destroyed; making it physically impossible to recover any information whatsoever.

Shred-A-Way Can Help Achieve a Full Data Security Solution

Our shred trucks are outfitted with state-of-the-art shredding equipment that can tear through hard drives in mere seconds. We offer shredding services right on site; you can even watch in real time as your drives and documents are destroyed!

For media destruction services you can count on, Shred-A-Way has your back. Talk to us today to learn more about our cost-friendly and flexible solutions.

Here’s Why Your Organization Should Have A Clean Desk Policy

Mon, 10 Jun 2019 04:22:41 GMT

We talk quite a lot about data security, theft and fraud. This is largely because they are very real risks for just about everyone; especially those who least expect to be victims. The damages that can arise from data or identity theft can be devastating, and the reality is that no one is completely absolved of risk of becoming a victim.

One of the most effective tools used in many different workplaces to improve data security and reduce the risk of becoming a victim is known as a clean desk policy. Applied in workplaces of varying different industries across the country, the clean desk policy is something any business should consider in order to protect sensitive data and improve overall organization in the process

What Is a Clean Desk Policy?

The general idea of a clean desk policy is that before employees leave their workplace for the day, their desks are to be completely cleared of any documents. This can include general papers; post-it notes or storage media devices such as external hard drives and USB sticks.

Why Implement This Policy?

Clean Desk Policies come with many benefits;

Less time searching for information. This might not make sense at first, but the reality is that because Clean Desk Policies force employees to keep an organized cabinet and archive, less time tends to be spent searching for information since information is well organized.
Improve data security. This one has already been mentioned a few times! The Clean Desk Policy improves data security by ensuring that no documents containing sensitive information are left out in the open to be inadvertently viewed or stolen by any passerby’s. This is especially true in workplaces with high foot traffic from people outside of the organization.
Reduce employee stress. When employees know where data can be found, there is much less stress generated when trying to find certain documents.

Clean Desk Policies bring many direct and indirect benefits. When looking through the effects and results, it’s no wonder why the Clean Desk Policy is growing in popularity.

Tips for Implementation

A policy is only as effective as the clarity of the communication of the policy. That is, in order for a policy to truly be effective, it must be communicated to employees clearly and thoroughly. If employees don’t understand the policy, or the importance of it, they are less likely to abide by it. Some things you can do to make sure your communication is clear is:

Put it in writing
Make sure it is detailed, but not so detailed as to cause confusion
Use precise and simple language
Highlight the importance of the policy, both internally and legally (if applicable)
Add a reminder of the policy to email signatures

When the policy is implemented, it is a good idea to test that is working. Take random checks to test the integrity of the policy and conduct an internal assessment to see whether the policy is producing the intended results (in this case, cleaner desktops and a more organized file system).

Make Your Clean Desk Policy Easy with Secure Document Shredding

One way you can make it easier to maintain a Clean desk policy is to implement a shredding program. It can be stressful knowing where to put sensitive documents when you are finished with them; especially when under the condition that they must be put somewhere than on your desk. Placing them in an open recycling bin leaves them in a vulnerable place where they can still be easily found and collected by unauthorized persons.

Professional shredding services from Shred-A-Way can help make sure that your clean desk policy is easy to maintain and effective. We can provide your workplace with locked security containers for documents to be placed in until shredding time arrives; meaning that they are protected and secured right from the point of disposal.

Talk to us today to learn more about our various shredding services !

Securing Your Data: Here’s What Your Training Program Needs to Cover

Mon, 20 May 2019 04:14:40 GMT

For many years, businesses and organizations have gone to great lengths to protect their sensitive data by using a variety of different techniques and protocols. These protocols usually try to achieve a few main things. These can include:

Training employees to spot threats
Training employees how to respond to threats
Altering office practices to ones that promote greater security of data

While many of these efforts have been successful, some unfortunately continue to allow information to land in the wrong hands. While there can be several factors behind a failed data security policy, one of the easiest and most effective areas to address that can minimize the chance of failure is the training and implementation of the policy.

Proper Training Is Key to Ensuring the Success of Your Data Security Policy

One of the most important ways to ensuring that any data security protocol is effective is to make sure that the training and communication steps are thought out, and comprehensive. No policy can be effective when employees don’t know about it, understand it, or appreciate the importance of it.

The training program needs to be designed to relay the importance of the policy, as well as the policy itself. Here are some ideas to consider when putting together your training program:

Use clear and concise language. In addition to reducing employee confusion and frustration during the training process, this can help employees gain a thorough and better understanding of the policy altogether.
Explain the laws to your staff. Employees need to know why this policy is happening, as well as why it’s important. Making it clear that there is a legal drive behind the creation of the policy can help drive home it’s importance to employees.
Make sure to cover web-based security threats. Many threats that employees face directly occur online through emails or web browsing. Help your employees learn how to spot phishing attempts, and be sure to include safe browsing tips for easy and effective assistance in mitigating these risks.
Consider including a clean desk policy in your training program. Clean desk policies ensure that employee desks and computer monitors are left devoid of any paper or electronic documents. The idea is that this ensures that secure documents are always kept out of plain site, and that information is better organized for easy retrieval when it is next needed.
Consider implementing a shred-all policy. Shred-all policies require all documents to be secure destroyed before making their way into the recycling bin. The benefit is that all documents that are disposed can never be used to recover sensitive information once destroyed.

Starting Out Strong Can Make All the Difference Between Success and Failure

A successful data security program requires careful thought and execution right from the beginning. Make sure your organization can secure its data effectively by designing your training program carefully and implementing it with clarity and comprehension in mind.

Be sure to include a secure shredding solution in your data security plan. Security Shredding has been serving businesses in the valley since 1973, we offer a wide range of shredding services suited to fit the unique security needs of your business.

Talk to us today to find out more and get started!

HIPAA: To Shred or Not To Shred?

Mon, 18 Mar 2019 04:10:03 GMT

In 1996 the US government enacted and signed into effect the Health Insurance Portability & Accountability Act; known otherwise as HIPAA. The act was amended largely to modernize the movement of healthcare-related information, and also to protect personal information from fraud and theft. In HIPAA, this was done by managing how and when personal information should be handled and managed.

HIPAA impacts almost any organization operating in the health sector; from hospitals and medical practices to other businesses in the healthcare industry that handle sensitive personal and patient information (referred to as protected health information – PHI).

The act provides specific guidelines for affected organizations on how long certain information needs to be held onto for, how it should be destroyed, and what information should be held onto and / or destroyed.

What Comprises PHI?

Protected health information can include documents that include information such as;

Names
Dates
Social Security Numbers
Beneficiary Numbers
Phone Numbers
Email Addresses
Medical Record Numbers
Vehicle Identifiers & Serial Numbers
Web URL’s
Full face photos and / or bio-metric identifiers

The Department of Health and Human Services states that a properly destroyed piece of PHI should be unreadable, indecipherable and non-reconstruct-able.

When Does PHI Need To Be Destroyed?

The duration of which PHI must be kept on record can vary by state. Both state laws and HIPAA include regulations for how long medical records must be kept. In some cases, state laws have mandatory retention periods that are shorter or longer then those in HIPAA (6 years);

When they are shorter; HIPAA regulations supersede state laws.
When they are longer; State regulations supersede HIPAA retention regulations.

Make Sure Your Document Shredding Service Is HIPAA Compliant

Shred-A-Way offers secure shredding services that always ensure that clients in the health sector are within regulation of HIPAA destruction guidelines. We offer a wide range of secure shredding services that make it easy for affected organizations to not only receive secure shredding services, but also ensure that it is done to spec as needed.

Shred-A-Way offers services both on and off-site , making it easy for healthcare organizations to get the services they need to protect their patients. From on-site scheduled services to off-site purges, we can do it all no matter the size of the job. Don’t need documents destroyed? No problem: we offer record storage services to help clients fulfill their storage needs with state of the art archiving technology and building security.

Get in touch with us today to find out how our services can help protect your patient’s information, and keep your organization in line with HIPAA.

Malware; Know the Different Types & How to Avoid Them

Fri, 22 Feb 2019 15:20:00 GMT

With how common computer and smartphone use has become both at home and at work, it’s likely that you’ve heard the terms “virus” and “malware” thrown around before. While it’s common knowledge that these are bad things that can ruin your electronic device, the many different types of malware and their functions are less known.

In fact, many people don’t even realize that malware comes in different forms! The reality is that there are many different methods that hackers use to gain unauthorized access to documents on your computer; including some that can cause major damage to your electronics.

In order to avoid becoming a victim of malware, it is important to know where malware comes from. Malware can make its way onto your computer through web browsing on unsecured websites, through downloading infected files and programs from the internet, and even simply from random or targeted network attacks. It is important to maintain proper web browsing habits to avoid obtaining malware; some anti-malware software can also be beneficial in preventing attacks and infected files from infecting your device before they have the chance. Keep these tips in mind next time you are browsing the web;

Install antivirus and anti-malware software, and keep it updated!
Run regular scans through this software.
Make sure your operating system is being updated in a timely manner.
Ensure that your Wi-Fi password is strong ( here are some tips for making a strong password ).
Pay attention to where you’re browsing!
Don’t hand out personal information carelessly.

We’ve compiled a list of different forms that malware can appear in, and a brief overview of how they work to infect your computer and steal your data;

Spyware

This is a form of malware that you may not even realize you have at all. Spyware is designed to spy on your computer activity. It can do this by sending usage information including web browsing activity and keyboard presses to hackers.

Trojan Horse

A trojan horse is a form of malware that sneaks into your computer under the guise of a secure-looking piece of software. The name is derived from the Greek story of the trojan horse, which was effectively a very similar mechanism of attack.

Worm

Worms are a form of malware that can copy and spread itself onto other nearby computers, usually through a local network. Worms can significantly slow down computers to the point where they become nearly unusable.

Ransomware

This is a more intimidating form of malware. Ransomware blocks users from accessing the data on their own machines, often through a mechanism such as encryption, and forces the user to pay a sum of money to regain access to their data. Ransomware attacks are becoming more and more common, especially against businesses.

While malware can definitely make the internet seem like an intimidating place to be, it is very much possible to avoid becoming a victim of malware. Knowing the signs of an infection and maintaining proper browsing habits are two vital ways to making sure your device stays happy and healthy.

Another surefire way to keep unauthorized hackers from accessing electronic data is to physically destroy storage devices and machines that contain such data. Shred A Way’s state of the art media destruction services can help you do exactly that, with reliable and flexible destruction services for hard drives, e-scrap, mobile devices and more. With 24-hour turnaround time on emergency requests, on or off-site services and video capture of the destruction process, you can rest assured knowing that your data is securely destroyed.

Talk to our expert team today to learn more about our media destruction services.

Is Your Small Business Keeping Up With FACTA?

Fri, 04 Jan 2019 14:45:00 GMT

In the United States, many businesses and organizations are subject to different state and federal laws governing the management of business, and consumer-friendly practices. One such piece of legislation at the federal level is known as FACTA , and it affects almost every business in the United States.

The Fair and Accurate Transactions Act (FACTA) was signed into law in late 2003 with the ultimate goal of preventing consumer fraud, and penalizing institutions which fail to take appropriate measures to prevent consumer fraud. Since 2005, almost all businesses across the USA have been subject to the regulations and guidelines held within FACTA.

FACTA requires businesses to take reasonable measures to protect against consumer fraud that could be propagated by unauthorized access to consumer information. In other words, businesses are expected to take reasonable measures to protect any and all consumer information they may have. Such types of information include;

Drivers licenses
Phone number
Email address
Physical address
Social security numbers

The act also included a regulation which requires the three major credit reporting agencies to provide credit reports to consumers free of charge. This was made in an effort to make it easier for consumers to identify a potential breach of their identity.

One of the most effective ways to both comply with FACTA regulations, and protect from consumer fraud is through the use of a secure shredding service. FACTA says that the reasonable measures expected to be taken by businesses can include Shred-A-Way’s state of the art shredding equipment which is capable of destroying documents to an irreversible state; meaning information is destroyed permanently.

Shred-A-Way offers services on and off-site , on a per-call or scheduled basis. We can leave secured lock boxes on site to secure your documents as soon as they are deemed shred-able. Then we can arrive at your workplace and destroy your documents right on site! No matter the shredding needs of your business or organization, we can help you remain compliant, and protect the information of your clients. We also offer media destruction and HDD destruction services for the ultimate peace of mind.

Victims of identity theft caused by non-compliant information management, are considered to be entitled to damages sustained. This can be extremely costly for businesses if something happens, which is why it is vital to make sure that compliance is met from the start!

If you’re concerned that your existing document handling and management protocols are not enough to properly protect your business, talk to our expert team today to find out which of our services will work best for you. Our service area is always growing, and our trucks are always on the road!

Talk to us today to learn more!

Keep Your Wallet & Identity Safe This Holiday Season

Wed, 28 Nov 2018 16:55:00 GMT

The holiday season is among us! With all the hustle and bustle of gift buying, celebration and decoration, it can be easy to get caught up in the holidays. One thing many people don’t consider during the holidays (and who can blame them) is the increased risk of identity theft, and of theft in general.

Thieves know that during the holiday season, shoppers are out in the highest numbers of the year making purchases for standard goods as well as gifts. This creates many opportunities for thieves including increased absence from home, more receipts to steal information from, and more goods to target.

Thankfully, there are things you can do to minimize the risk of identity theft , or becoming targeted by a common thieve, from ruining your holiday season;

Think through the situation with your spare key. Thieves know the most common places for these. Try to avoid putting a key in easily accessible and common locations (doormat, flower pot etc.)
Keep track of your wallet / purse. Shopping centers are at their busiest this time of year; prime time for pick pocketing. Keep track of your purse, and make sure your wallet is not easily accessible while in the shopping crowds.
Keep your receipts until you are able to shred them. Do not put any receipts in the recycling without first shredding them. Receipts contain valuable information that can provide someone with the right knowledge with access to compromising information.
Use your credit card if and when possible. When using cheques and debit cards, your bank account becomes exposed. If you happen to use your card in a fraudulent machine, you might have a harder time getting money back. Credit cards do not withdraw funds from your bank account, nor do they expose your bank account. You might also have more time to catch fraudulent transactions with credit cards as opposed to debit / cheques.
Following the holidays, keep a close eye on your statements when they come in. Because people do a significant amount of shopping in the holiday months, statements can be long, and fraudulent transactions can slip through the cracks. Pay close attention, even if your statement is unusually long from holiday shopping.
Be extra careful shopping online. Be sure to check the website reputation and security credentials. And remember; if you see a deal which is too good to be true, it probably is!

Don’t let your identity fall victim to identity theft. Take precaution this holiday season to ensure that it is as happy and memorable as ever!

From all of us at Shred-A-Wa y , have a very happy holiday season!

Get Serious About Data Security; Use Onsite Shredding Services

Fri, 26 Oct 2018 19:13:00 GMT

If your business is already using a professional shredding service , you likely already know of the vital security enhancements that your office receives with regular shredding services. The highly advanced shredding machines used by real professional shredding services outperform office shredding machines in speed and capacity, and ensure that documents are destroyed in such a manner that they cannot be reconstructed.

While Shred-A-Way maintains a state-of-the-art shredding facility operated by the most experienced (and best) team around, there is one more thing you can do to maximize the security of information in your office.

While secure shredding services in general provide many benefits, on-site shredding services bring the destruction benefits to the next level. With off-site shredding, the concern of something happening to documents between point A and point B does exist, especially if documents are not transported in a secure manner. On-site document destruction voids the risk of something occurring between your office and the shredding facility, since destruction happens right in your parking lot! You can even witness the shredding in real time, and our team always makes sure to provide a Certificate of Destruction upon completion.

Shred-A-Way’s on-site shredding services are simple;

Our team will provide your office with locked shredding bins to store documents for destruction, if you don’t already have some.
Our advanced shredding truck will come to your office.
The operator will collect the secure bins and empty their contents directly into the shredding truck, where they will be destroyed quickly and efficiently right on the spot.
A Certificate of Destruction is issued upon complete.
The resulting fibers are taken to a secure recycling facility, and are converted into low-grade paper products such as toilet paper and office paper.

If that isn’t enough, then you’ll be pleased to hear that our operators undergo rigorous background checks before being approved for duty. Our shredding trucks are also equipped with advanced security tech to ensure that contents are kept safe.

So if your office is ready to really get serious about information security, or if you simply want to improve the ease of your shredding services, talk to our team today about the pros of on-site shredding services. We can develop a plan and schedule that fits your needs and budget. Check our service area to see if your business is in our region.

Talk to us today to learn more!

Are You Doing Everything To Reduce Your Risk Of Data Breach?

Thu, 04 Oct 2018 14:23:00 GMT

Many office managers understand the importance of good information management practices. Taking some precautions to reduce the risk of information breach can mitigate risk and liability in the unfortunate event of a data breach. While bigger companies tend to have more measures in place to keep information safe, smaller businesses are usually more likely to lack proper information management practices and measures.

The reality is that people seeking to steal or compromise sensitive information, by and large, don’t care whether you are a small or large business. No matter the size of your office or operation, proper security measures need to be taken to protect the information held by your business, employees and customers.

Knowing where to start can be difficult, as there are many potential vulnerabilities in modern workplaces. Some of the places to start include;

Computer systems

Maintain a reliable backup solution . For large businesses, depending on the nature of business, this could range from server networks to network storage drives and more. Small businesses with one or two computers could be served well with a simple external hard drive. Having a backup solution that runs regularly is invaluable when things go wrong.
Implement strong cyber security solutions . This can include using programs like antivirus and anti-malware tools. Having these programs running regularly can help keep your computer system secured.

Office Management

Begin a clean desk policy . Having a personal or office rule to leave the office with a clean desk can minimize the risk of information being viewed by the wrong eyes.
Undertake risk assessment analysis regularly to determine where you’re office stands. Identifying new security vulnerabilities as they arise is key to keeping your workplace secured.
Communicate and train employees to abide by new policies . Clearly communicating the implementation of new policies is just as important as training employees on how to abide by these policies. A clean desk policy is only valuable when employees know both how it works and when it is enforced.
Consider the use of a professional document destruction service . Although we may be a little biased here, it’s impossible to deny the massive security advantages that come with professional document shredding. Office shredders don’t work to nearly the same degree as professional shredding machines, which render documents in a virtually irreversible state. On-site shredding service s can boost security even more, with document destruction happening right on your premises.

If your office in the Columbus or Birmingham area is looking to up its data security game, contact Shred-A-Way today to find out how our services can work for your business. Our service area is always growing!

Shredding & Legal Obligations – The Bills You Need To Know About

Thu, 13 Sep 2018 20:43:00 GMT

It’s known among the shredding industry that many businesses maintain legal obligations that can be fulfilled through the use of a professional shredding service. But what is less known is exactly what specific bills contain laws that can be satisfied through the use of a professional shredding service. What’s more, many businesses don’t even realize that they are subject to legal obligations concerning how information is managed.

What sort of obligations exactly? Generally speaking, these are obligations that involve either the proper handling of sensitive information, or the proper disposal of sensitive information. In the United States there are a few different bills that outline rules and regulations that can be fulfilled by a professional shredding service. Below are brief outlines for just a few of such bills.

HIPAA

The Health Insurance Portability and Accounting Act ( HIPAA ) was enacted in 1996 with the intention of protecting sensitive patient information, and to maintain and safeguard the privacy of patient medical records. Many organizations and businesses operating in the medical industry are subject to the guidelines outlined in HIPAA, and many penalties are outlined for organizations that fail to properly protect specific patient information.

FERPA

Applying to all educational agencies and institutions in the United States that receive any sort of funding from the Department of Education, the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act ( FERPA ) was enacted in 1974 with the intent of managing the handling and access of educational information to public entities. Such entities could include potential employers, foreign governments and publicly funded educational institutions.

FACTA

Enacted in 2005, the Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act ( FACTA ) applies to virtually all businesses and individuals in the United States that maintain or possess any consumer information. Such information could include things such as credit card numbers, SSN’s, driver’s license or phone numbers and email addresses. The goal behind FACTA largely was to protect against and minimize instances of consumer and identity fraud.

How Do these Bills Relate to Shredding?

These bills all concern secure document shredding in the same manner; failure to properly dispose of medical records, educational records or any consumer information could result in hefty penalties and fines for affected businesses. Critical to complying with all three of these acts is the proper management of sensitive information.

As a provider of both secure shredding services on and off-site , Shred-A-Way’s shredding services will help ensure your business stays compliant with its information management obligations. We even allow our customers to monitor the entire shredding process themselves, so that they know their documents are destroyed satisfactorily. As always, we make sure that a certificate of destruction lands in the hands of our customers, guaranteeing our work and providing legal proof that documents have been shredded in accordance with the law.

If your business is looking to get serious about fulfilling its information management obligations, contact us today. Our service area is always expanding to serve more clients. Talk to us today to learn more.

Document Shredding Services for Your Columbus Financial Institution

Fri, 17 Aug 2018 13:50:00 GMT

Banks and financial institutions in Columbus have significant exposure and legal liability in regards to handling clients’ confidential information. After all, you are responsible for maintaining and recording critical financial information for your client that if exposed unknowingly, could cause a great deal of damage to both your institution and your customer.

At Shred A Way , we completely understand this challenge and we are here to make your internal document management processes simplified. Our flexible and customized document shredding solutions can be completed directly onsite at your location, or we’ll safely transport all documents to our secure, offsite shred facility in Columbus. Our process ultimately ensures your bank remains in compliance, aligning with your institution’s due diligence and document shredding policy. Client information will never escape our hands until it is thoroughly destroyed.

For paper shredding your institution can watch first-hand, choose our on-site document shredding service. A professional and uniformed shredding personnel will with your authorization and supervision, obtain your confidential records and proceed to shred all financial documents before your eyes. Our mobile shred truck can shred in seconds what might take you hours to shred on your own; meaning there is no need to take hours out of your busy day to complete this daunting task internally. Once finished, we will issue a “Certificate of Destruction” for your records and further peace of mind.

Shred A Way works with the following financial institutions:

Local & Regional Banks
Credit Card Companies
Mortgage Companies
Title Companies
Investment Firms
Brokerages
Trust Companies

Remember that banks are legally mandated to shred various documents such as members’ checks, statements, and reports. Hiring professionals to look after this process will allow you to have a better document control system. Concentrate on processes that improve your business practices and protect your information. With Shred A Way your Columbus bank will save money and time, while reducing your liability.

Contact us today to arrange a regularly scheduled paper shred program for your financial institution. Speak to us about additional services, or request a free quote. Call 706-577-9668

What Is a Data Breach and Where do These Breaches Occur?

Wed, 20 Jun 2018 15:27:00 GMT

A data breach takes place when an unauthorized individual or group obtains confidential, secure information that should not be public knowledge. Unfortunately data thieves continue to hound companies and individuals here in Georgia and across the rest of the United States.

In 2017, Identity Theft Resource Center (ITRC) statistics show that more than 174 million confidential records were exposed; a huge climb from the 36.6 million that were reported in 2016.

So how are these breaches occurring and where do they take place?

Viewing Computer Screen: Hacking through physical viewing is a thing; in fact physically spying on someone’s computer screen occurs all of the time. All one needs to see is log-in credentials and very quickly additional sensitive information can be accessed. To combat this, we encourage that your workplace adopts visual privacy policies with the addition of a Clean Desk Policy. It’s also a good idea to supply privacy filters, and limit workplace visitors. All staff should be thoroughly trained on how to store, secure and and dispose of company data.
Fitness Tracking Device: The ever growing network of physical devices that include an IP address for internet connectivity means that if security is lacking, cyber criminals can hack and intercept if and when connected to the internet. IoT devices may refer to Fitbit, GPS running watches, medical devices, or games like Pokémon Go. Be sure your staff is familiarized with these risks and security concerns, and always investigate an electronic device such as these prior to buying. Security features should be set up immediately and it is suggested that you change default passwords regularly.
Employees: Sadly, those staff that you trust in some cases will steal as well. Often the reasons behind doing so include personal financial struggles or because of a low paid position. Whether it is medical data or client social security numbers that are stolen and then sold to an outside party to commit fraud, or an employee error that involves an distrustful individual gaining access to information mistakenly, employees can cause breach knowingly or unknowingly. To combat this issue, it’s crucial that you supply regular training for your staff in relation to cyber security. You may wish to filter emails for spam and implement a new policy for file sharing that doesn’t involve attachments via email.
Garbage/Recycling Bin: This may be the biggest culprit; are all of your staff handling and disposing of confidential material securely? All confidential matters must be destroyed securely before they are tossed away. Throwing old files into the recycling or garbage bin can leave your information extremely susceptible to theft. For compliance purposes and for the protection of your company, we highly recommend that you partner with a trusted and reliable document shredding company .

At Shred A Way in Columbus, we provide our clients with document shredding services, record storage solutions, and media destruction solutions. We are your solution for information destruction services you can count on. Your information will be 100% protected when you allow our professionals to help.

Call 706-577-9668

Cell Phone Destruction: If You’ve Been Wondering Why it’s Necessary, Take a Look

Fri, 11 May 2018 19:25:00 GMT

If you’re like the majority of our population, your mobile phone is an extension of your body. It is simply vital to daily and business life; simply put, it is a component that is relied on to perform and conduct day-to-day business matters such as meetings.

Once a cell phone is replaced, it’s important to be aware of the fact that the old handset and SIM card still contains crucial, confidential information on it. To ensure that this sensitive data is secured and safe from landing into the wrong hands, taking the initiative to have your mobile phone securely destroyed by a professional is your best option.

Information Fraud

Remember that removing a SIM card from an old phone doesn’t delete the information stored on the phone. In the same sense, when you manually clear data from a handset, you might not get rid of everything. Today’s hackers and fraudsters are extremely savvy and knowledgeable, and can quickly retrieve data from cell phones that have been manually cleared.

Using a special wiping program can sometimes improve security levels and can make data retrieval more challenging, but it’s ultimately not 100% guaranteed.

Information Destruction

The only solution that provides guaranteed protection for yourself and your company’s sensitive data is to physically destroy your cell phone and SIM cards. As information destruction specialists we have the expertise and equipment to fully destroy your mobile phones effectively.

Certificate of Destruction for Your Cell Phone

We will happily come to your location to collect your cell phone(s) or you are welcome to drop them off directly at our secured facility. As always, following completion we will issue you with a Certificate of Destruction, which provides you with documentation that indicates secure destruction and disposal was completed by an accredited shredding company. Get the peace of mind you deserve.

Secure and Compliant

The team at Shred A Way implements processes and strict practices that meet industry regulations. We ensure that employees are background checked, and all vehicles are built with tracking capabilities for your safety. What does this mean for you? Your cell phone and any other media is handled securely and carefully throughout every step of the process.

If you want to learn more about how we can help with your mobile phone destruction needs, get in touch today. At Shred A Way , we offer several media destruction services that keep your vital data entirely protected for good.

Call us for more details at 706-577-9668

Have Old Electronics You No Longer Want? Be Sure to Dispose of them Properly

Wed, 25 Apr 2018 17:59:00 GMT

It’s inevitable to eventually find yourself sorting through old personal belongings wondering what to keep and what to donate or toss. As far as electronics go, we as a society are constantly upgrading devices to have the latest and greatest which is all fine and dandy, but what happens to your old cellphone, laptop, TV, or other electronic device once you’ve purchased their replacement? Sadly, many individuals will take the garbage route and toss these items alongside their day-to-day garbage, which ultimately means electronics make their way to the landfill.

The problem here is that this is an environmentally concerning way to manage old electronics. Not only is the environment at substantial risk when this occurs, you also leave your data vulnerable to getting stolen. The best way to alleviate both of these is through hiring a professional electronic destruction service .

Environmental Risks

You probably know that electronic are dangerous to the environment, but do you know just why they have such a negative impact? The many components of electronic devices comprise a great deal of hazardous materials. In fact, heavy metals and airborne dioxins will make their way into water supplies, road side dust, and the air when electronics are sent to the landfill and left to decay. Not only do these toxins hurt our environment, but when ingested through water and air, their effects on humans are carcinogenic.

Key hazardous components found in electronics include:

Lead
Mercury
Beryllium Oxide
Cadmium
Brominated Flame Retardants

Take a look at this report for a more thorough breakdown.

Data Breaches

Damages from electronic waste can occur to more than just our environment. Stolen sensitive information is a common, and not always noticeable, consequence of improper electronic disposal. Many of us feel that deleting data is enough to wipe all documented data; unfortunately this belief is very much incorrect. Data recovery software and methods are more than capable of retrieving information from electronics.

Due to the nature in which data is created and stored on a hard drive, deleting a file or program doesn’t truly remove it from the system. When you save a file, space is allocated in the hard drive and a directory is created that point to its location. Deleting a file simply removes the directory listing and lists the space as available for something else to be saved over it. In this way old data will eventually be replaced with something new, but there are no guarantees that it’ll be unrecoverable. As you can see, just because you’ve hit delete, you aren’t really safe from all the risks of data theft.

The Best Solution

The best approach to ensure your data can’t be recovered, while also ensuring the environment is safe, is physically destroying your electronic devices. This doesn’t mean you should grab the nearest sledgehammer and attack your old cell phones. Odds are your efforts won’t be enough to destroy everything, not to mention the issue of how to now dispose of a million pieces scattered across your garage. Partnering with a company, like Shred A Way , that provides reliable hard drive destruction services is your best bet.

Media destruction services provided by our professionals will take your old electronic media and shred them in industrial shredders. This reduces the electronics into tiny pieces, far too small for anyone to do something with. Once completed, the left overs are sent to be recycled, the raw material is then removed and reused in new products. This not only keeps electronics away from our landfills but also ensures your data is safe from theft.

Shred A Way is a document destruction company servicing Columbus , Auburn, Montgomery, Birmingham and more . We are proud to keep residents and business in Georgia safe from data theft while protecting the environment.

If you are looking for safe media disposal solutions, contact us today . We are happy to help!

Are You a Home Business Owner in Columbus? Keep these Critical Security Tips in Mind

Thu, 15 Mar 2018 13:01:00 GMT

If you own and operate a small home business, you may have the impression that security processes are irrelevant due to the size of your organization. Unfortunately the opposite is actually true; document security is of even greater importance when you operate a small home business, and is necessary for your safety. Self-employed entrepreneurs that run businesses in their homes, also have the same legal obligations when it comes to document security and protecting confidentiality.

Small companies are often targeted due to the fact that security implementations can be ignored and thieves know this. They are fully aware that you will be an easy target without document and online security in place. The 2016 State of SMB Cybersecurity by Ponemo , exposed in one report that 50% of small and medium-sized companies had fallen victim to data breach in the previous year. The most predominant attacks were those that occurred on the web and phishing/social engineering attacks.

With these statistics in mind, nearly 40% of small business owners continue to forget about the crucial security measures that should be in place, and therefore are failing to follow any form of policy in relation to the storing and disposal of sensitive records.

Shred A Way shares how you can improve your home based business’ security:

Evaluate and Assess Possible Risks

Take a good look at what confidential information you are managing and what your responsibility is to secure that information in relation to data protection laws, and consider whether there are security risks present to address
Don’t be scared to inquire about or verify security procedures of those companies you are partnered with; this may include your current vendors and/or suppliers.
Get informed and learn about what cyber threats are real; keep current about potential online threats and ways in which you can safeguard yourself from such security issues.

Turn to Secure Record Storage

It’s in your best interest to have a document management process implemented that has both retention periods and secure retrieval processes.
If and when able, it’s best to convert paper documents into electronic copies through professional scanning services. Make an effort to also save information to the cloud or an external hard drive
Always make backups of any electronic records and keep that stored professionally in an off-site facility
Keep all sensitive documents in lockable filing cabinets or drawers.

Purge All Documents Containing Private Information

As mentioned, by law you must manage confidential information in relation to compliance requirements.
Contrary to popular belief, you do not have to “Save” all of your old files; know which records require secure storage like contracts, invoices, accounting and tax papers, receipts, billing, expense forms, and client information, and simply turn to document shredding for the remaining records.
Schedule a one-time purge service for papers that need professional destruction. Ideally this should be completed on a month to month basis to limit the amount of documents piling up at home.

Dispose of Sensitive Documents Securely

Securely shred all documents that are no longer necessary to keep. Partner with an outside shredding company who follows strict industry standards and can guarantee your security through professional solutions.
A shred-all policy may be the perfect answer in reducing the possibility of human error and poor judgement about what files should be shred.

Work with Shred A Way

Find out how the team at Shred A Way can keep your home-based business secure and compliant! Get in touch with us for a free quote or to learn more about our document shredding solutions.

Call us today in Columbus at 706-577-9668

Storing Your Records Securely

Wed, 21 Feb 2018 14:08:00 GMT

Often times, businesses and residents are required to hold onto sensitive information for their records. With all the talk about staying safe from information theft by shredding, you may have some concerns about holding onto these files. It probably doesn’t need to be said that storing records in a box on top of a dusty file cabinet is not advised. Locking them in a secure drawer or a safe is a much better option, as it’ll surely help to keep unwanted hands away; with that said, they will still be vulnerable to disaster.

Staying Safe from Disasters

It’s sad to say, but sometimes buildings are destroyed. An earthquake can strike or faulty wiring could cause a fire. The risks of losing information this way are very real and no one thinks it will happen to them until it does. The solution to this issue would then be to keep your records offsite in a safe place. It is highly recommended that you choose a company offering secure storage services to ensure you’re both secure and in compliance with regulations. Apart from additional protection from potential disasters, partnering with a storage company has several more advantages.

Organization

When records are stored professionally you will benefit from a tried and proven organization system. Records will be indexed and archived in state-of-the-art facilities, a bar coding system will detail where the information is stored and what each file contains. This ensures ease of access to your records when you need them and quick storage when it’s time to put them away.

Records are kept in storage boxes designed to protect your documents for their entire duration. These come in a variety of sizes to fit your files and receive a bar code to ensure the owner’s information is well documented. Containers are kept on strong metal shelves so there is no need to worry about collapsing shelves destroying records.

Security

Even if you decided to keep your records on-site in your own safe, can you be sure they are under constant security surveillance? No matter what time frame you are needing to store documents for, a secure facility will offer 24/7 secure monitoring. There are a number of systems in place to ensure the protection of your files; these systems include 24/7 secure monitoring, gated access, verified staff to check on storage locations, and other precautions on a site by site base.

Shred A Way is a document shredding and Storage Company located in Columbus, GA.

For more information about our services or if you have any questions, please reach out to our team.

We’re happy to help you out.

706-577-9668

Shred A Way Explains HIPAA and How it Affects Your Health Facility

Sat, 20 Jan 2018 21:35:00 GMT

Created in 1996 and mandated as federal legislation, HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability & Accountability Act) has been designed to prevent fraudulent behavior, and to maintain protection over the personal information of health care patients. Ultimately this act states that all health care organizations in the United States must follow certain security processes to guarantee sensitive information remains safe and secure from unauthorized exposure.

HIPAA conditions dictate that patient information from the past, present and future, must be secured at all times. Records that discuss personal matters like patient history, notes, forms, and daily logs, need to be properly handled and protected while in the professional hands of a healthcare institution or medical centre. Information cannot be shared by law unless permission is offered by the patient to do so.

Who Should be Aware of Regulations Set Out Under HIPAA?

HIPAA impacts the entire healthcare industry. Any healthcare facility that offers health services to U.S citizens are required by law to have strict procedures in place that assist in maintaining security over patient files. If your medical office were to receive an audit, implementing all HIPAA guidelines shows that the suitable steps were taken to prevent disclosure of personal information. Failing to have such measures in place, could communicate that personal information has or is, being observed by unauthorized persons. As stated, HIPAA regulations apply to hospitals, medical centers, chiropractors, dentists, psychologists, psychiatrists and any other industries that retrieve and store personal health information.

Shred A Way Helps Customers Remain in Compliance with HIPAA

If you have medical documents that no longer required for health practices, these should be immediately disposed of in lockable bins before document shredding. This initial disposal step limits the risk of lost and stolen records substantially as once in there, documents are protected from prying eyes and/or being lost. Any patient records that viewable on one’s desk or cabinet, and those that are stored in unsecure filing cabinets could be at risk. Keep in mind that you have a legal obligation to keep your patients 100% protected in relation to their confidential records.

Make it your top priority that this commitment is executed each day; in doing so, you’ll save yourself the hassle and stress with legal matters that may arise down the road. Shred A Way will supply you with secure collection bins or carts that you are free to position throughout your medical office where you see fit. These bins will encourage and remind your staff to use them each and every time a file is disposed of, keeping private patient data out of the garbage or recycling bin.

We use our state-of-the-art shred equipment and technology, together with our skilled document shredding professionals to complete the job effectively. Our team has years of experience working with healthcare professionals, and we will do our best to keep you in compliance with HIPAA’s privacy standards.

When you partner with Shred A Way you are welcome to watch the document shredding process from beginning to end for additional peace of mind and reassurance. Furthermore, all clients are provided a Certificate of Destruction following every shred job, clearly specifying what, when and how, documents were shred, for your records and future reference. Trust in our professional team to look after your document security management, with services that are 100% reliable and meet the highest industry standards.

For additional information about the specifics of HIPAA and our secure paper shredding services , please don’t hesitate to reach out and speak to one of our representatives. We’ll also happily offer you any additional security tips for effective protection over patient information.

Call 706-577-9668 for additional information about our secure document shredding services.

Maintain an Efficient and Secure Business with On-site Document Shredding

Fri, 22 Dec 2017 14:53:00 GMT

If your Columbus business is seeking to hire a document shredding service that is experienced, reliable and considerate of your needs, then you’ve come to the right place!

Shred A Way offers mobile shredding services that are convenient and effective. This option is especially great for businesses with hectic schedules as we come directly to you! You can even watch if you are so inclined! After destruction the resulting paper fibers are transported in a highly secured truck to a designated paper mill where they are recycled.

Keep Your Business Operating Smooth and Efficiently with On-site Document Shredding

Fri, 01 Dec 2017 21:33:00 GMT

If your Columbus company is in need of professional document shredding services that are secure, trustworthy and compliant, then you have already reached the right website for exactly that!

Shred A Way provides industry-leading document destruction services that follow a strict chain of custody and are completed directly at your workplace, on-site for total convenience. In fact, we offer several options for paper and electronic shredding that will contribute to increased security and organization for your business.

Routine document shredding is one important process your business can implement to help avoid identity theft, breach of confidentiality and the ensuing legal work that is often associated with these scenarios. Shred A Way is proud to take this effective approach one step further by supplying customers with mobile shredding services.

At Shred A Way, we keep our trucks well maintained at all times to prevent the chance of breakdowns and unexpected circumstances as much as possible. In doing so, this guarantees that your confidential documents get destroyed in a manner that is 100% secure and timely. Our trucks are always tracked with GPS monitoring systems so we know exactly the whereabouts of our drivers and your documents at all times.

Most companies have a hectic and busy schedule on a regular basis; our services keep your business running smoothly so there is as little interruption as possible in your work day. We maintain flexibility by supplying your business with secure, designated collection containers for secure disposal of your information prior to pick-up. Once bins are at capacity or once your scheduled service date arrives, we’ll come to your location, gather the documents to be shred and service them immediately on-site. Once all is said and done, any leftover paper particles are transported to a designated paper mill where they are recycled. A Certificate of Destruction is provided to you upon the completion of the process.

If you still have doubts about professional mobile shredding services in comparison to an in-house shredding solution, let’s take a look at just some of the main reasons we encourage you to consider our professional shredding:

The majority of in-house document shredders aren’t equipped to shred documents to the irreversible state that our trucks can. More industrial machines can get closer, but operation costs to properly maintain these machines aren’t very justifiable to most organizations.
Shred A Way operates at a much quicker pace than any in-house shredder can. What could take up to 3 hours of in-house shredding, will only take minutes with our mobile shred trucks!
Our mobile services contribute to your compliance with important privacy legislation , such as HIPAA and FACTA.

A Brief Summary of Our On-site Shredding Services?

We come to you! We collect documents, shred them on-site, and take the remaining fibers to a paper mill for recycling purposes. The process is timely and your business doesn’t have to arrange any off-site trips for the purpose of destroying documents. Our trucks can shred thousands of files in mere minutes, and each is equipped with security mechanisms that protect your sensitive information while it’s in our hands. No job is too big or too small; we shred everything before we leave your place of business. All drivers are trained and certified to handle the shredding process. You will receive a Certification of Destruction immediately following the shredding process, which indicates the details such as the time and date of your shredding job. Finally, our employees will take care of everything when they arrive on the site, allowing you to focus on running your operations.

If on-site services sound right for your business, contact us today to discuss your unique shredding requirements. Together we can discuss the options and provide the best solution for you and your business.

Call 706-577-9668 in Columbus, to speak to a professional member of our team.

Paper Isn’t the Only Thing You Should be Destroying

Sat, 17 Jun 2017 20:15:00 GMT

Destroying sensitive documents when they are no longer needed is one major step towards keeping your Georgia business secure from data breaches, leaks and identity theft. However the rise of the digital age has forced us to pay attention to more than just paper documents; hackers and dumpster divers are becoming increasingly more capable in their abilities to retrieve sensitive information from recycled or disposed-of electronic devices. These can include old phones, computers and hard drives. You might be surprised to know exactly how much information can be pulled from an old device, even if it’s been “wiped clean”! Have you ever considered whether you are disposing of your electronics in a secure manner?

Whether you are updating your entire computer system, just one computer or are disposing of a defective device, there is always the possibility of an electronic data breach. Luckily there is an ultimate solution for this problem, no questions asked. Shred A Way is pleased to offer media destruction services in addition to our top-grade document shredding services. What exactly do we do? It’s simple; we destroy hard drives, mobile devices, computers and more just as if they were documents!

A Bit of Insight on This Issue

Electronic devices are capable of storing many fragments of recoverable information even after that information has been erased, or devices wiped. This is what allows information recovery businesses to operate; that file you may have thought you deleted is oftentimes still somewhere on that hard drive in a less visible, albeit recoverable state.

The rise in identity theft through technology has sparked a new capability for hackers and dumpster divers to recover immense amounts of information from thrown-out hard drives. This is largely due to a couple of reasons:

Constantly evolving and accessible data recovery techniques and technologies.
The near-impossibility of completely wiping electronic devices.

There are two courses of action we can take to counter these obstacles when it comes to obsolete or failed hardware;

Our certified operators will arrive on-site and take any electronics to be destroyed to our facility for immediate destruction.

We will bring the destruction to you; we will arrive on-site with our mobile hard drive shredder and destroy your hard drives on site. You can even watch them get destroyed yourself!

Both options are extremely timely, efficient and affordable. Services can be scheduled routinely or on a purge-basis. Following the destruction of your electronics we send the scrap to trusted recycling partners; this process is indeed environmentally responsible as well!

Of course, Shred A Way always ensures our operations are well within spec of regulations set out by key legislations such as HIPAA , HITECH , FACTA and more. If you’d like to discuss further the benefits of media destruction for your business, get in touch with us today ! We can discuss your businesses’ unique needs and propose solutions that work for you and your business.

Dumpster Diving and Identity Theft: What You Need to Know

Tue, 21 Feb 2017 21:22:00 GMT

Now that we are settling in 2017, perhaps you’ve noticed that you need to make more room for exciting new business opportunities; so where do you start? Are your cabinets and employee desks cleaned out and free of old records? Unless you’ve completed a major cleanout already, now is the time to get rid of the old to make room for the new. Most critically, it’s important to do this safely with the security of your privacy in mind.

While revisiting your cabinets and organizing your business documents is a large component in maintaining a clutter-free office, it’s crucial that your old contracts, budgets, marketing plans, and customer lists are kept well protected at all times. Trash bins throughout your office need to remain free of any record deemed private or containing confidential business matters. You are obligated by law to safeguard these details and failing to do so could result in exposing employee and/or client information.

It is likely that every company in Columbus has at one point or another mistakenly tossed away a pricing list, or a confidential email, not thinking about the potential consequences. We’re all human and while it’s easy for this to happen, it’s a mistake that could be very costly. Your trash bin may seem like the best solution because of its proximity to your desk and general convenience, but it’s imperative that these unwanted records are disposed of in a lockable collection container instead. If old content is tossed away in a garbage bin it could be collected by the wrong person in an effort to carry out a criminal act. Dumpster diving is real, and it does occur more than we want to believe. Even with the smallest tidbit of personal details, a determined individual could do some significant damage to your wallet, and do so fairly easily.

What is Considered “Trash” to You, Could be a “Gold Mine” to Somebody Else

Perhaps you think that nobody will take the time and dedication to sort through your garbage? Sadly the opposite is quite true. If there is enough intent there, a Columbus resident will take the time and effort that’s required to locate juicy information that can be used to their advantage. Usually, it’s those documents that you thought were safe to toss away that wind up providing the fuel a criminal needs, to build their case. Next thing you know, your bank account may get hacked and suddenly there are new credit cards present under your name. Not a good situation to be in!

The alarming aspect is that so many of those credit card approval letters we loathe receiving through the mail are discovered by criminals because they are not securely shredded prior to disposal. If and when this occurs, it’s extremely easy to respond to the letter with a new address. When all is said and done, if you are a resident or operate a business in Columbus, and you’re knowingly throwing away sensitive material without shredding, this is putting an immediate target on your back. Always remember that while it may seem cliché, it’s absolutely true; what is “trash” to you might be a “gold mine” to somebody else.

Deter Identity Theft with These Helpful Recommendations

Never throw out records containing financial information about your business, or any documentation that reveals your social security number, bank account number, driver’s license number, or your address.
Securely shred paperwork that covers private business matters to guarantee that nothing is legible
Partner with a professional shredding provider like Shred A Way, to look after your shredding requirements. We’ll guarantee that your documents are disposed of properly so that your privacy is never compromised.

Shred A Way, will happily look after your records in a manner that ensures your sensitive business matters are thoroughly destroyed with no chance of recovery. Our paper shredding process reflects strict guidelines which contribute to keeping your organization, customers, and employees, protected from collection, through until destruction. Shred A Way offers both onsite mobile based shredding services, and off-site document destruction services carried out at our facility. Both solutions are performed with the highest level of security and professionalism; you choose which option is best for you based on your specific needs, and we’ll make sure it happens.

Get in touch with our team for a free quote, or to speak to one of our experts in regards to a document shredding schedule that’s appropriate for your organization. Being pro-active is the best step towards fighting identity theft! When in doubt, turn to Shred A Way to shred your sensitive records!

Contact our team in Columbus at 705-577-9668 .

Why Work with a Professional Document Shredding Provider

Wed, 08 Feb 2017 19:09:00 GMT

Improves Productivity

Shredding sensitive business documents in-house with an office shredder is a far greater solution than tossing these in the garbage, but unfortunately, this option doesn’t provide you with the security and protection you need. Not only that, they are not designed to shred through high volumes of paper which can make it a challenging solution long-term. Paper is shredded into strips rather than small particles which leaves room for reconstruction should the wrong individual access your records. When you shred documents in-house, you’re using up valuable employee time, and in essence, are paying your staff to sit behind an office shredder instead of having them perform their specific job duties. Allow your staff to focus on tasks that bring in revenue for your business, rather than taking away from it. Our professional document shredding and media destruction solutions assure your total security and allow your employees to be far more productive with their work day, which in the end contributes to your bottom-line.

Lowers Your Costs

Implementing a regular, ongoing document shredding program will help your business save dramatically. No need to spend money on the following:

shred machine
disposal bags
maintenance fees
replacement equipment
operation time

Working with Shred A Way will supply your company with savings that extend beyond financial savings. This is an added stress and nuisance that your business won’t have to worry about any longer; in-house shredding is both time-consuming and meticulous. If you are like most organizations, your days are likely busy enough; allow our professional team to assist with this critical task; after all, we are the experts and have extensive background knowledge and experience in helping organizations with their document management and security needs. As a regular client, we’ll provide you with quality, lockable collection bins that you may set up throughout your office where appropriate. These allow you to immediately dispose of your sensitive records in a manner that is entirely secure, where they will remain untouched until our team collects them for shredding. No material will leave your sight until our specialists arrive on-site for your scheduled shredding! You may select from our mobile shredding services or if preferred, we also offer off-site facility based shredding solutions.

Reduces Liability

Shredding is more than just smart business practice; it is also a legal obligation. Legally as a business owner, you are required to meet strict privacy standards when it comes to the handling and disposal of sensitive business records. Important privacy legislation such as the Gramm-Leach-Bliley (GLB), the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and the Fair and Accurate Credit Transaction Act (FACTA) , dictate exactly how information should be controlled and maintained during and following storage (disposal).

We always supply our customers with documented proof of each shred job. Expect to receive a Certificate of Destruction after your shred job has been completed. This record clearly indicates your sensitive material was shredded in accordance with key privacy laws and includes the time, date, and method of destruction carried out. This certificate is critical because it provides you with even greater liability protection should you ever be audited or questioned in relation to your document management procedures.

What Documents Should You Be Shredding?

Tue, 10 Jan 2017 14:53:00 GMT

Whether your business is a large corporation or a small local business, your industry size and background, doesn’t dictate whether or not you should be shredding. All organizations create and circulate a vast amount of confidential documents on a regular routine, and while we may do more electronically these days, it’s common knowledge that we also continue to print, store, and share pertinent information with our coworkers and clients. So what can you do to manage all of these documents in a manner that’s organized and secure? Unless your company has implemented a detailed document management process that includes secure destruction, it can be challenging deciding what documents no longer require storing and can instead be shred professionally.

Shred A Way is happy to assist your business in determining what documents can be securely shred and which should remain stored. How does a shredding program benefit your Columbus business ? If sensitive information is exposed unknowingly regarding your clients or employees, you are putting these individuals at risk of stolen data; not only that, failing to shred on a regular basis could lead to the potential for a data breach to occur. For the protection of your reputation and general peace of mind, it’s highly recommended that you employ a document shredding program this season. Identity theft and business fraud are not to be taken lightly, and can result in substantial financial penalties for all parties affected. Privacy legislation here in Columbus and across the United States, have specific privacy legislation in place when it comes to the proper handling and disposal methods for sensitive records, and the specific consequences for those that fail to comply.

Shred A Way in Columbus, has the necessary skills, experience, and professionalism to supply your organization with industry-leading shredding services. Your security is protected wholeheartedly in our hands. , When you partner with our team, you will benefit from the assurance in knowing that our strict chain of custody, ensures the protection of your privacy above all else. It’s simple, cost-effective, and efficient, with little distraction to your work day. The safe and secure disposal of your documents can truly prevent your business from being fined or from receiving negative publicity.

As an easy solution that guarantees documents remain secure, a lot of companies have opted for a ‘shred-all’ policy. This policy helps to eliminate the confusion around exactly what should be shred. Essentially with it, your employees no longer have to “guess” what information is deemed sensitive. Staff can shred every document that’s no longer needed and instead shift their focus to their regular job performance duties.

As a general rule, here are some important business and personal documents you should have shred securely.

Business Records:

Client Lists
Inventory Lists
Pricing
Payroll Data
Accounting Records
Market Research
Competitor Details
New Product Data
Account Documents
Phone Numbers
Contracts
Bids and Quotes
Proposals
Audits
Training Information
Sales Forecasts
Cancelled Checks
Tax Forms
Legal Records
Budget Documentation
Financial Documents
Blueprints

Personal Records:

Pay Stubs
ATM Receipts
Bank Statements
Passport Number
Tax Information
Drivers’ License Numbers
Bank Account Information
Credit and Debit Card Documents
Addresses
Resumes
Insurance Polices
Telephone Numbers
Credit Reports
Travel Itineraries
Junk Mail