Tag Archives: Secure Shredding

Paper Shredding Benefits; Environmental & More

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Improve Office Environment Usage

There are many Benefits of Shredding and one reason is the environmental benefit. There are more reasons but in our lives, we use paper extensively in one way or another to record data. Even with the increased use of digital devices paper is still widely used throughout business.

Documents and papers used in companies lose their relevance with time and they are no longer required and one option for getting rid of them is to insert them into general recycling streams. But this is not an effective solution and creates data breach hazards as more and more paper ends up in untrained and unaccountable hands.

The other disadvantage of such an arrangement is that paper and documents used in a company contains highly sensitive information about the clients, customers and the company itself. If manipulative individuals gain access to them from a recycling stream, this can result in company’s secrets getting leaked to its competitors putting its survival at stake. Similarly the confidential customer information may get compromised resulting in identity theft and other damaging outcomes for the customers.

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To avoid such scenarios, documents need to be destructed in a safe and secure manner. A company can achieve this by hiring services of a Paper shredding Ireland Service which will not only destruct documents securely, but will also recycle them. So the company can use them again in the form of sanitary rolls and cardboard packaging.

Confidential Shredding Service; On site & Off Site

A paper shredding service has security screened and trained men, equipment and transport facilities required for the secure destruction of paper. Such a service provides both on site as well as off site destruction facilities. For destroying papers on site, the service would bring its men and equipment to the company’s premises and destroying them there. Its personnel would maintain confidentiality and security of data and information contained in papers strictly as deeds of confidentiality are signed in order to carry out their operations. They have got the latest equipment which can shred vast amount of documents fast, efficiently and beyond reconstruction.

Security In Shredding on site service

Off site data destruction involves moving the documents away from the premises to some other place and destroying them there and recycling it. The paper shredding service would also provide an auditing facility, so the company can remain assured about confidentiality being implemented during the destruction process.

If you as a company owner or representative want your data to be destructed safely, properly and efficiently for protecting your important information contained in the documents, you should hire a reputed and reliable document destruction service.

By getting your paper destructed and recycled from the service you will not only be able to save your costs, but can also protect your company’s reputation as your sensitive data would not be falling into wrong hands.

Please visit our site for more information and contact us if you have any enquiries regarding our confidential shredding service.

Why Company’s Need To Address Improper Document & Data Disposal

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Secure document shredding specialists deal with physical and digital data on a regular bases. How we handle this data is important to ensure confidentially. Confidential shredding and data protection go hand in hand to prevent data breaches occurring.

It is widely known that employees and hackers are biggest cause of data breaches. There have being high profile hacking cases involving employees inappropriately clicking on links that  permits the hackers access to the organisations network and software system.

In order to have an appropriate confidential document and data disposal system in place, you should firstly contact a service provider whom has ample experience in the industry with a 100% clean track record (i.e. an occurrence of zero data breaches). Such a Data Service Provider will be able to answer all your queries and concerns regarding how to implement a secure and efficient document management system – all the way to end of life documents as well as in-house training of staff and policies and procedures. “At the end of the day, you are relying on employees to manage confidential documents in a secure and confidential manner.”

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In order for one to have piece of mind, a training programme should be established for the induction and on-going training (in-house) for the organisations employees. When the employees understand the importance of efficient and accurate Data Management and Data Protection Legislation; it minimises the risk of a data breach.

When the data reaches its end of life, it needs to be securely disposed of. This is where a certified professional Data Processor like Security in Shredding provides (at the clients choice) onsite and/or offsite data destruction. A company such as Security in Shredding are specialists in the entire area of Data Management. They have an unblemished record and provide a professional, certified and recognised data destruction services.

In order for an organisation to maximise compliance in the workplace, proper appropriate disposal of information has to be made easily accessible for the employee.

Security in Shredding do not recommend placing a recycling bin in close proximity to a printer of copying machine for example as employees can easily discard the unwanted copies or data into the recycling bin. However, Security in Shredding can implement secure lockable consoles throughout the building in specific locations as requested by the organisation and also in close proximity to the copying or printer machines.

If you wish to have a conversation with any of our Data Consultant Specialists, you can pick up the phone and dial +67 24848 or email us at info@securityinshredding.com.

Hard Drive Must Be Destroyed To Ensure Data Destruction

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harddrive destruction, Media Destruction, Confidential Shredding Service

All digital data is stored on a hard drive. Weather its stored locally (your own device) or on a cloud server, the data is stored on a hard drive. The device used to access this data be it a computer, laptop or tablet technology will become outdated or slow to use. When the time comes you may wish to get rid or sell the outdated device.

This is where the data risk lies. Before you sell the device you might have deleted all your local data from the device or even formatted the drive. This does not remove the data from the drive.

The fact is there are software programs designed to help thieves extract data even after data has been electronically destroyed.

At the same time, there are other concerns that make secure e-media and hard drive disposal a critical aspect of device security.

Current Storage Drive Trends:

Affordable.  Hard-drives and storage devices in desktop computers, laptops, servers, phones, USB thumb drives, printers, copiers, and other equipment have become widey available and affordable. In 2015, technology companies shipped more than 2.6 billion devices containing hard drives, according to IT research firm Gartner.

Internet of Things (IoT).  Digital data storage and usage is increasing in businesses and organisations. This increased usage means that more and more devices are connected to a network and can increase the risk of data breaches within a network. Protecting against these potential as data breaches are increasing.

Upgrading.  Electronics become obsolete (and are replaced) within three or four years – and that affects BYOD security and other safeguards. We live in a world where the number of mobile devices exceed the number of people in the world. When upgrading ensure that the older device is destroyed or the data storage device is destroyed.

Cybercrime.  Industry experts predict a continued boom in cybercrime. In America the terms of cost, the average consolidated total cost of a data breach rose 23% to $3.8 million in 2014 compared to the previous year. The 2015 Cost of Data Breach Study: Global Analysis from Ponemon also showed that the average global cost for each lost or stolen confidential record increased from a consolidated average of $145 to $154.

If it can happen in America it can happen anywhere else. Most of the applications you use will be developed globally and the breaches

Responsibility.  Data Protection is a corporate priority and responsibility. The Data Protection Commissioner is set up to ensure that businesses and organisations are protecting data correctly. The DPC also provides guideline on how to protect your business data from breaches. Guidelines can be read here: https://www.dataprotection.ie/docs/Guidance-Material-Menu-Page/m/219.htm

Secure document shredding and media destruction companies will provide secure method of data destruction. For more information please visit our site.

 

6 Steps To Improve Your Data Security

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Data is King. Protecting your data comes in many forms. Your confidential document shredding specialist will securely destroy any sensitive documents. Data protection is equally important as data destruction. IBM are a leading High Tech company and provide you with relevant information and software to improve your security.

IBM Security solutions for data security and privacy provide a holistic approach that helps prevent data loss while enabling data access to support business operations, growth and innovation. These solutions help you ensure regulatory compliance, defend against internal and external attacks, and can lower storage and data management costs.

IBM Security solutions for data security and privacy enable a layered approach to achieving data security that helps you:

  • Understand and classify sensitive data: Understand where data resides, how it is related and how to define security and privacy policies. What data is sensitive and what data is not must be established.
  • Assess vulnerabilities: Detect database vulnerabilities and harden repositories. Be aware of paper data is stored. Add a lock to a room or cabinet to add an extra layer of security.
  • Monitor and audit: Monitor transactions to enforce policies and capture a detailed audit trail. Any printed documents with sensitive data must be destroyed once the document life cycle is complete.
  • Prevent unauthorised database activities: Block, quarantine or mask transactions that violate policy. With paper data limit who can access sensitive data management or senior staff.
  • Protect sensitive data: Encrypt structured and unstructured sensitive data, mask or redact sensitive data in documents and forms, and encrypt data in storage.
  • Manage access: Manage privileges and authenticate users to limit data access.

IBM also provide a free software for you to assess and detect vulnerabilities. The software will detect weak passwords, any misconfiguration on your database. Read more about it here: https://www-03.ibm.com/software/products/en/security-guardium-vulnerability-assessment  

While IBM methods deal with digital data the crossovers and similarities can be applied to your paper data. Paper shredding services will also offer digital data protection and knowledge. Knowing these risks and implementing the steps to prevent a data breach will benefit your business or organisation in the long run.

Technology terminology can be confusing to understand but implementing security measures for digital devices is pretty straight forward. For more information on a data protection and security please contact us or visit our site for more information.

Data Protection With Workplace Technologies

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Digital Data & Paper data equally important to protect

Your confidential document destruction service is more than just paper data destruction. Digital data also has a secure data destruction method. The devices used to view this data must be properly protected to ensure your data is protected.

Mobile technology increases workplace productivity. Smart phones, laptops, i-pads and other devices allow employees to work regardless of location. As good as these mobile devices are they also increase the risk of a potential data breach too.

So how does an organisation maintain the increase in productivity whilst protecting its confidential information?

Embrace it; The use of mobile devices assists the employees in their efficiency and productivity.

Latest Technologies; By keeping your technologies up-to-date you are ensuring that productivity is not being hindered by the use of out-dated technologies.

CYOD Policy. For improved security control, a Choose Your Own Device (CYOD) policy is recommended. This allows employees to choose devices from a list of approved choices, and companies could equip devices with the appropriate security.

Control of the apps. While apps can improve both the efficiency and speed of specific work tasks; Security in Shredding encourages organizations to provide employees with practical and approved enterprise-grade mobile apps for work.

Digitize. In todays world there is a growing number of organisations whom are digitizing information and processes to reduce costs. But all sensitive data still has to be properly disposed of when it is no longer required. Security in Shredding strongly recommend organisations to out-source the destruction of data when it reaches end of life. A certified data destruction service provider will securely destroy sensitive material when it reaches its end of life. Proper certified destruction guarantees that data cannot be recovered.

Cloud computing. While cloud benefits include cost savings, elasticity, and storage on demand, it still poses a great concern. There are a number of tools available to protect data in the cloud such as encryption and cryptographic tools. Click here to read more: https://ow.ly/hiVq30085uP

Train your employees. All the technologies in the world could be at ones finger tips but the users, in this case the employees need to be taught the best practises. All policies should also apply and be treated of equal importance in the office and outside of the office.

If you require any further information regarding any of the points above, you can get in contact with our Data Management Consultants either through the contact us page or simply phoning us on +35367 24848.

Organising Paper, Sensitive Data & Clear Out Shredding

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Secure Document Shredding specialists are recommended for large quantity clear out shredding. That being said it, happens to the best of us, we get a document and say “I’ll deal with it later” and set the document aside. We go back to our work and another document will be given to us or another one is added or set aside. It doesn’t take long before a pile starts to build and the less likely that pile gets dealt with. When we decide to deal with it, the pile has become a more daunting task to clear

If the pile is not organised there is a danger of confidential or secure documents being lost in the pile and data breaches can occur if gotten into the wrong hands.

Ideally setting up an organisation plan before the clutter starts to build makes it easier to implement this process. Clutter for one is an eye sore. Its messy, not organised and can cause stress to you and your office

The dread comes from knowing you need to deal with it, but not necessarily knowing exactly how to deal with the quantity and feeling overwhelmed by what feels like an enormous task.

A single piece of paper is easy to deal with but this post is more to deal with when a pile has accumulated into clutter stack.

Knowing and separating your confidential documents is a starting point. View our What to Shred list and see what documents can contain sensitive data.

Daily & Weekly Paperwork Routine Is Essential To Long-Term Paper Organisation & Reducing Risk Of Data Breach

Actions such as: (1) bin it right away; (2) delegate it to someone else; (3) file it for future reference (meaning no action is currently needed with this paper); or (4) keep it to take some type of action on.

Examples of papers that come into your office that require you to take action include invoices, tax forms, bank statements etc.

This type of confidential paper is often left aside to be worked or filled in at a later stage, creating a “to do pile.” The longer this pile is left to accumulate the bigger the pile becomes creating more stress and clutter. While also being a security risk as a data breach could occur if these documents came into the wrong hands.

Adopting a “Clean Desk Policy” is a good step to deal with clutter and prevent piles from building. Working on documents on a daily basis is a good first step. Do a little everyday will be a lot in the long run. The daily routine will become a weekly routine.

When you combine the daily and weekly routines together the total system for paper organisation will be complete.

What To Do In The Weekly Paperwork Session

The weekly paperwork session is not complicated. First, choose a day that suits your schedule. Doesn’t matter what time or day you choose as long as you do it consistently.

Once you’ve decided on the day, all you do is grab the stack of paperwork that has accumulated over the course of the week on the day you’ve chosen, and now you sit down and tackle it, one piece of paper at a time.

Do the paper work in batches. Deal with enough confidential documents that reduces the pile. It is still business as usual when dealing with the pile, paper is still going to be added but again as long as the pile is getting smaller than bigger is what we desire.

You should consider doing the following tasks during your weekly paperwork session:

  • Pay bills
  • Make phone calls that are necessary about bills, or other information that comes in during the week
  • Reconcile your bank account, confirming what checks cleared during the past week and that all deposits are credited to the account, etc.
  • Make any necessary money transfers between bank accounts.
  • Confirm everything appears to be working normally as it relates to automatic withdrawals and automatic bill pay for your accounts.
  • De clutter, organize and file that week’s receipts.
  • File paid bills and other filing that has accumulated during the week.
  • Deal with any other documents confidential or otherwise.
  • Adding dates to your calendar, both from papers or emails you’ve received.

These tasks deal with paper data but digital data is equally as important to deal with. Responding to emails and other on line services should also be part of your document organisation schedule.

It doesn’t matter how big a pile has accumulated, a paperwork session is about good habit forming done regularly each week.

Once paper organisation habit has formed, it creates a better management of document life cycle and spot potential data breaches and mistakes in the documents.

Off Site Shredding Service Can Handle Large Quantities

Clutter can be dealt with on you desk and around you. There is also an option of availing of a Clear out Shredding Service. Old or archived documents that no longer serve a purpose that may be in a clutter pile can easily be dealt with by our services.

Security In Shredding offers both On Site Document Shredding and Off Site Document Shredding Ireland. We can handle large quantities of paper and shred them securely. If you want that pile removed quickly and remove the data breach risk immediately,

please contact our team today and visit our site. We operate our Confidential Shredding in Dublin, Galway, Limerick and Cork areas and the rest of Ireland.

7 Questions Dealing With Sensitive/Personal Data

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We live in a digital information age and how this information in gathered and viewed is through mobile or electronic devices. On site document shredding services will handle your paper data and also digital media to be destroyed securely.

Cyber liability, cyber security and information governance are terms that managers and directors are aware of due to high-profile data security breaches in recent events (“Panama papers”). Mason Hayes & Curran covers the critical questions these companies need to be asking.

In an increasingly interconnected world, with the expansion of the internet and development of the internet of things (IoT), there has been a corresponding increase in the vulnerability of information systems to attack.

The Cyber Security for Directors app with the Institute of Directors in Ireland has released an app to help heads of companies to understand their responsibilities regarding digital data security.

The app details the various types of cyber liability and cyber risks, while drawing together the key areas for directors to consider. It also outlines both proactive and reactive strategies to manage cyber security. The app is available on Android and iOS.

Technology has rapidly changed over the past 20 years and continues to grow. People’s reliance on digital devices both for storage and transmission of data, is making data breaches all the more damaging to organisations. How a mobile device operates both the front end (you) and back end(server) is not that transparent unless you have a good understanding of data transfers.

Knowing how this works is not essential but can make it easer to understand where the pitfalls lie within a device will benefit data security.

Where there is liability, there is a corresponding responsibility for that liability. As the duties of directors come increasingly under the microscope, it is clearly in the interests of directors to ensure that they understand their responsibilities in this area.

Below, we have outlined the key questions that directors should ask in relation to the collection and processing of data

1. Are we being transparent?

Data must be obtained fairly and the company must be transparent about the reason the data is being collected and the purpose for which the data will be used. Data must not then be put to a further incompatible use.

2. Do we have consent?

Consent is usually, but not always, required. If the information is non-sensitive, there can be implied consent. If the information gathered is sensitive (such as relating to an individual’s health, race, sex life, religious beliefs or trade union membership) then there must be explicit consent.

3. How long are we retaining data for?

Personal data can only be stored for as long as is necessary. There should be no retention of data ‘just in case’.

4. Are we collecting unnecessary data?

Data should only be collected if necessary. There are PR risks to any company if data is collected and stored unnecessarily.

5. Are we keeping the data secure?

You must have appropriate security measures to protect any data you are storing. Take into consideration the state of the technology you are using, the cost of implementation and the nature of the data and potential harm if a breach occurs.

6. Are we giving the data to third parties?

Are the third parties controllers or processors? In other words, on whose behalf will they use the data? If they are controllers, you will likely need consent for collection. If they are processors, special written contract terms are required.

7. Is the data leaving Europe?

If collected data remains within the European Economic Area (EEA), transfer issues do not arise. If the data is to be transferred outside the EEA then safeguards are required unless it is an approved country, eg Canada.

Check out www.mhc.ie for more information on Tech law.

Industrial paper shredding and media destruction are performed securely and confidentially by our team at Security In Shredding. For more information on our shredding or destruction services please contact us.

 

5 Data Security Tips To Protect A Company’s Sensitive Data

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For many small business owners, are aware of the potential data breaches that can occur. Secure document shredding is one method of data security but most people will think “It wont happen to me” and when it does happen it can cost the business upwards of €100,000 fine if data security was inadequate. For a small business, one data breach can destroy their reputation and customer confidence.

Below are 5 tips to implement data protection solutions that all small businesses can do today to protect their customers, their reputation and their people against data breaches:

  1. Implement a Clear-out Shredding Policy

Clear-out Shredding policies ensure all paper documents are shredded before being recycled or disposed. The Clear-out Shredding Policy removes any uncertainty around whether documents are confidential and require shedding. This simple step is one of the easiest ways to avoid human error including mishandling of confidential documents and files. In addition, all shredded paper is recycled, adding an environmental benefit to a security solution for businesses. Overall, it leaves little to be decided around the type of information that should not be deposited in recycling bins and waste paper baskets.

  1. Encrypt all electronic devices

Mobile devices are everywhere. There are more mobile devices than people in circulation. A workplace mobile will be used so employees can access the information they need remotely, which means company information may be exposed to greater security vulnerabilities. Encrypting all electronic devices is an important first step in securing information.

All electronic devices used by employees should be encrypted to protect sensitive data regardless for their own benefit and not just the company or organisation. In the event that electronic devices are lost or stolen, encryption will protect the information stored on the device and mitigate any compromising activity.

“End to end encryption” is a term you should look out for especially when transferring data. Software applications can do the same function a number of different ways. Knowing how they operate is recommended.

  1. Maintain Clean-desk policy

A clean-desk policy encourages employees to clear their desk and secure documents in a filing cabinet or storage unit when they are away from their desk or office at the end of the day. This includes documents, files, notes, invoices, and removable digital media like memory sticks. Unattended and untidy work stations pose a greater risk as loose information is an easy target for theft. A clean-desk policy ensures that all confidential data is locked in a secure area.

  1. Protect Printers & Peripheral Devices

Implement a ‘best practices’ standard for printing confidential information. Encourage employees and staff to not leave documents unattended at a shared printing station. To strengthen security around printing stations, consider using passwords for printing jobs. A printer is connected to a network and can be an entry point for hackers to access a network. Any other peripheral device that’s connected to a network may need an added layer of security just in case.

  1. Designate a Security Manager

If your business or organisation does not have one, now is the time to assign someone to do it. While it is important to have senior management and leadership play a vital role in mitigating data breaches, engaging employees from all levels and cross-departments helps strengthen an organization’s focus and commitment on information security.

At Security In Shredding maintaining data security is a vital importance to us. We must comply with data protection laws. For more information on paper shredding and data destruction services, please get in touch with one of our staff for more information.

Summer Holidays? Tips to Maintain Data Security When You Work

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Who doesn’t enjoy a holiday or time off. Scheduling a paper shredding service before the holiday or time off is recommended. This will help give a piece of mind that you are protecting your data and let you enjoy your holiday.

In today’s world employees pack their work tablets and have their smartphones with them when going on vacation/ holiday.

There are a number of employees who don’t like to fall behind in their work and like to stay connected wherever they travel to. This is possible due to the ever improving technology of wireless internet, smartphones, laptops, and tablets. These technologies have made it increasingly easier to work from home and from the side of the pool!!

But organisations may forget the importance of data security regarding these mobile devices. Many organisations have policies in place where by employees BYOD (bring your own device) and this permits the employee to use one single device for both work and personal purposes.

The upside is while employees remain productive outside of the office 24/7, the downside is that they can access corporate data from anywhere. The negative impact this will have is it increases the risk of data breach incidents and has created a whole new area of information security policies.

Security in Shredding have a few tips to ensure the confidential business information employee’s work on outside of the office remains secure;

  • Implement a Bring Your Own Device Policy and by doing so you are creating a culture in your organisation.
  • Implement a schedule regarding the organisations protection software whereby on set dates throughout the year the software is updated.
  • “Provide employee training and regular refresher training regarding information security best practises outside the office.”
  • Prior to leaving the office for a vacation, ensure to only take documents that are extremely necessary regardless of a hard copy of digital copy.
  • Only under extreme circumstances should you print confidential documents from electronic means outside the office.
  • If one must print off a hard copy, ensure that all documents are securely destroyed. At mentioned earlier scheduling a paper shredding or bag collection may be needed.

You can speak with a member of Security in Shredding’s Data Management Consultants for further information. Our mobile paper shredding service is available for scheduling.

 

What To Keep & What To Shred: Document Retention Policy

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Data Retention & data destruction

At Security In Shredding, document shredding is done with confidentiality and security is paramount when carrying out data destruction service. Data breaches occur when people are negligent or not aware of a breach. The most recent high profile story being the “Panama Papers” leak.

The Panama Papers is the latest mega data breach where millions of confidential documents from a Panamanian law firm were leaked, exposing offshore bank accounts – and possibly tax havens – for wealthy clients.

In light of this recent breach “I think we need to change the fundamental design of the way each and every document is created and managed,” –  commented Bill Anderson of cyber security company OptioLabs, in a cnet.com story about the Panama Papers.

While there are many aspects to data security, a sound document retention policy is one of the most important. Knowing what confidential documents to keep and which ones to permanently destroy should be of concern to everyone. Maintaining a clean desk policy will also help minimise the risk of confidential documents getting lost with other data.

This high profile case may sound like it won’t happen to you but the chances are that the data breach occurred by improper use or destruction of a data. All it takes is one wrong move for all your data to be accessed.

Below are some document retention policy guidelines to help keep your information secure.

  • Information Audits: Use audits to identify the types of documents the business produces, and to create an inventory and keep it updated.
  • How Long To Keep Tax Records? There are two parts to data retention: how long documents will be useful to the business, and how long they must be retained based on government and industry requirements. Checking with Revenue.ie on how long to retain your tax returns.
  • Fines – either way: While it’s law to keep certain documents, if you retain a record for too long you might also expose yourself to litigation risks and fines. Like most privacy laws, Data Protection Act compliance stipulates the record must be securely disposed of when the official retention period is over.
  • Emails: Records are paper files, digital documents, and correspondence including emails. According to wired.com, the Panama Papers leak included more than 4.8 million emails (as well as 3 million database files and 2.1 million PDF’s). If emails aren’t part of an important business or legal use or not subject to regulatory compliance, delete them within the appropriate time frame.
  • Controlled Access: Index all documents for easy retrieval. Store in a secure, locked location and/or in a password protected file. Control who can access sensitive documents and logging when this information has being accessed. Storing unwanted documents increases the risk of a Data Breach and adds to clutter.
  • Secure disposal: The only acceptable way to discard paper or digital documents when they are no longer needed is to completely destroy them. Industrial Shredding companies can dispose large quantity of documents, and outsourcing eliminates risk. Partner with a reputable shredding company that has secure chain of custody processes for information destruction. A Certificate of Destruction will document compliance and should be issued after every shred.

At Security In Shredding data security is equally important as confidential data destruction. An on site service or off site service is available throughout Ireland. Please visit our site for more information.