No matter where you go these days, chances are, you will see a paper shredder. Retailers have them behind their registers. Bank tellers have them under their counters. Pharmacists even have special shredding machines to destroy pill bottles. Open your eyes and you will see that paper shredders and shredding machines are all around you. Still, not enough data is shredded. Important information ends up in the trash every day. This can result in unneeded liability and in the potential for identity theft.
1. Identity Theft: Don t Become a Statistic... Identity theft has become a monumental problem in our country. In fact, a recent report from the Federal Trade Commission estimates that more than 27million people have had their identities stolen in the past five years. Many of these identity thefts could have been prevented if individuals and businesses were more diligent about shredding confidential documents and information. For businesses, the accidental release of confidential consumer information can be devastating. A single data breech can result in millions of dollars of fines, penalties and brand damage to many organizations. Can your organization afford that type of problem? If not, you need a shredder and a data security plan.
2. Control of Information: Owning your own paper shredder can provide you with the ability to control your own destiny. Placing a shredder beside your desk, near the photocopier or in your workroom is not only convenient it is wise. It will give you the ability to personally ensure that your sensitive data has been completely destroyed. You can see the document being shredded and have confidence that your information is safe and secure. Having a shredder nearby will help to make it convenient for you or your employees to maintain your compliance with laws such as FACTA and HIPAA. It will also prevent confidential HR, Accounting, Legal or Marketing materials from ending up in the wrong hands.
If you have read this far, you probably already recognize the importance of owning a paper shredder. In that case, all you need to do is choose the right type of paper shredder for your application. Here is a quick overview of three different types of paper shredders. Choose the one that best suits your needs...
1. Deskside Shredders: These paper shredders are designed for individual users and home users. If you regularly create or handle sensitive information then this type of shredder may be for you. Even large organizations with centralized shredding devices will use smaller deskside shredders in executive offices or highly confidential workspaces. Deskside shredders are often used to destroy confidential memos, unsolicited credit card applications, junk mail and personal financial data.
2. Professional Shredders: These shredders are used in an office environment and are usually shared between 1 5 employees who regularly handle sensitive information. Professional shredders are often placed in small departments or small business offices. You may find one of these shredding devices in a small Human Resources, Accounting, Legal or Marketing department.
3. Commercial Shredders: Are ideal for multiple users and shared workspaces. These paper shredding devices are often placed next to a workgroup printer, in a print center or in a mailroom. Commercial shredders will offer larger bin capacity, higher throughput, wider throats and better speed than professional shredders.
4. Industrial Shredders: For the highest volume users, an industrial shredding device is the answer. Often found in the basement of large buildings such as hospitals, these machines are designed to shred multiple tones of paper per month. Larger organizations who are currently using a shredding service may want to consider an industrial shredder.
Author Resource:
Jeff McRitchie is the designer and Director of Marketing for http://www.mybinding.com .He has written over 500 articles on binding machines,binding covers,binders,laminators,binding supplies,laminating supplies,paper handling equipments,index tabs, and shredders.