Are you aware that the Data Protection Act requires organizations to properly dispose of confidential data such as employee salary information, medical records, and personal address details of clients? Before being discarded, such documents should be shredded to ensure people's data does not fall into the wrong hands.
In addition to the legal requirements and security concerns, investing in a commercial paper shredder can be very beneficial for your company. It saves you a lot of time compared to manually ripping papers, makes recycling more manageable, and reduces your storage space needs.
Shredders perform the same general function, but different types do it to varying extents and at various capacities. As such, before you start your search for a shredder capable of level 6 shredding, you should know your shredding needs.
In this article, you will find the important factors that will help you choose the right high capacity shredder.
The Sensitivity of the Data You Handle
Shredding files does not necessarily make the data inaccessible. If the size of the shred is big, someone can still get information from shredded documents. Shredders are usually categorized in levels from one to six.
These levels are an indication of the security they offer. General documents that you are shredding because they are no longer useful or are taking up space typically only need a level 1 shredder.
However, if the data is confidential, you may require a shredder capable of level 6 shredding. Also known as high-security shredders, this type reduces documents into fine dust-like particles that cannot be reassembled.
The Type of Material You Need to Shred
Paper is always the first thing to come to mind when you think of shredding. However, shredders also have to deal with non-paper items. First, some documents may contain pins, paper clips, or staples. Also, as technology has transformed data storage, information is also stored in devices such as CDs and DVDs. You could also require to shred credit cards.
Normal shredders can handle paper clips and staples. However, if your shredding needs go beyond paper, you must choose a shredder with the capabilities that match.
The Number of Users
Once you have determined the type of shredder you need, consider the departments and number of people who will use it. If your company is expansive and different departments handle sensitive documents, you will need high capacity paper shredders. This is because when shredding becomes a hassle for your employees, they might become complacent and just toss documents in the bin.
With this in mind, determine the number of users per shredder and the number of documents that will need to be shredded daily. This will give you an indication of the size of the commercial paper shredder you need. The actual amount of documents that will need to be shredded is usually double the estimate.
The Safety Features
Without a doubt, industrial paper shredders can cause injury if not used appropriately. If such an incident were to occur, your company might end up losing a valuable member of the team due to injury.
To avoid this, ensure that you purchase a high capacity shredder with a safety sensor. These sensors are designed to detect the presence of any inappropriate materials in the shredder and shut down immediately. This significantly reduces the risk of injury.
A shredder can get jammed if it's overstuffed with papers or overheats if it is used continuously. Additional features that help prevent jamming and overheating are a necessity for a shredder that will be used a lot. You will also want one with a continuous-duty motor if it is used for long periods. It should also preferably be capable of level 6 shredding.
Why High-Security Paper Shredders Are Important
The need for organizations to ensure data does not fall into the wrong hands cannot be overstated. As such, all client, employee, and company data must be stored well and discarded appropriately. Any leaks can cause disharmony within the organizations, ruin your brand’s reputation, or expose your competitive advantage.
The best way to protect from your organization from such exposure is by investing in a machine capable of level 6 shredding.
