In an age where identity and data theft are soaring to unprecedented heights, you cannot afford to be taking risks with your information management.
Despite the fact that we are working in a digital age, a substantial amount of the information we process on a daily basis is still in paper form. That’s why shredding documents in a systematic and secure way is crucial.
No matter the industry you work in, shredding paper efficiently is a simple way to avoid serious professional, legal, and financial consequences. In order to explain the issue in more detail, here are five crucial reasons why you should be shredding documents.
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1. Protects You and Others From Data Theft
So, why shred documents? Arguably the most important reason is that doing so will protect you, your employees, and your customers from data theft. Paper documents are, in many respects, the easiest data source for criminals to steal.
You cannot put a firewall or antivirus software around your sensitive paper documents. What you can do is shred them immediately after use. This is the easiest way to keep your data safe.
2. Keeps Your Company Legally Compliant
The importance of shredding documents largely lies in America’s strict data protection laws. This is especially true when it comes to legal documents. Shredding legal documents is important, no matter the industry you work in.
Data protection frameworks such as HIPAA, FACTA, and SOX require that paper documents be properly destroyed after use if they contain sensitive legal information
3. Shredding Documents Saves on Storage Space
Another important reason for shredding documents concerns storage space. If you work with paper documentation of any kind, storing those documents can consume valuable space and cost you money.
If you do not have a comprehensive shredding system in place, it will not be long before you find yourself drowning in documents. Document storage can be a major budget drain for small businesses, so make sure to shred what you do not need.
4. Improve Customer Confidence and Your Reputation
In 2020, customers care more about data privacy and protection than ever before. If sensitive paper documents are not properly destroyed, the reputational cost to your business could be immense.
However, if you are able to guarantee to all customers that their sensitive data records are destroyed when they are no longer needed, you are assuring them that their information is in good hands.
5. Ensure Total Peace of Mind
Finally, it is worth noting how a proper shredding system can give you, your employees, and your clients the peace of mind you all deserve. If you shred, then you will no longer be kept awake at night worrying about potentially ruinous data breaches.
You will no longer have the anxiety of trawling through mountains of paper to find the document you need. This peace of mind is priceless.
Manage Your Business Better Today
Shredding documents is just one simple and important step you can take towards better business management. No matter the size of your business, how well you manage your day-to-day operations will determine your success.
That’s why it pays to keep on top of all of the latest tips and trends in the world of business. For this, you can consult our comprehensive Business section today for all of the latest updates.