Did you know that shredding obsolete documents is just as important as shredding current information? Even outdated documents can contain personal information relating to you or your business, which you don’t want to fall into the wrong hands. Keep reading to learn more about why you should shred your obsolete documents and how to do so responsibly.
Minimizes Data Leak Risks
Paper theft can happen to anyone, whether you run a business or organize your own paperwork at home. Shredding obsolete documents minimizes your paper trail, which makes it more difficult for thieves to get their hands on your personal data. Even though obsolete documents may be inaccurate, they still contain elements of your personal information, which is why you should never throw them away or recycle them directly. Always pass these papers through a shredder before disposal to minimize the risk of data leaks.
Ensures Compliance With Information Laws
How your business handles and disposes of obsolete documents is crucial to its compliance with information safety laws. Outdated documents contain personal information on customers, clients, and employees. To avoid hefty fines and lawsuits, it’s important that your business takes the proper precautions before disposing of outdated documentation. Always shred documents that could contain personal data before throwing away recycling or recycling the scraps.
Keeps Personal Records Organized
Shred obsolete documents in your filing cabinets to promote organization. Shredding old documents that you no longer need helps you locate relevant files faster and saves room for incoming paperwork. You don’t need outdated documents and files clogging up your personal or professional paper trail.
Examples of Obsolete Documents To Shred
Obsolete documents include records or files that have lost their relevance—previous versions of updated files you may possess or old identification information. While most obsolete documents are safe to shred, you should check shredding standards and understand how long you need to retain certain documents before destroying them. For example, you may need to refer to old tax documents in the future, so hold onto them.
Now you know some of the biggest reasons to shred obsolete personal or business documents. When shredding sensitive information, use apersonal shredder that meets security standards. At Capital Shredder, we supply a wide variety of high-security paper shredders for personal and business use. Whether you work at home or a commercial office, you can find a shredder that fits your space.
