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When asked the question “why shred?”, most people tend to think of identity theft. While that answer is indeed a correct one, identity theft is just one of many reasons to be destroying all of your documents and electronic media. Here are the other reasons for implementing a document destruction program:
Protect Your Customers
Every day customers provide businesses with information that they consider to be extremely confidential. In fact, you have an “implied contract” to protect that information simply based on the fact that you are collecting data to conduct business. Customers expect that you will take every precaution to protect their information, including shredding it before it is discarded.
Protect Your Employees
Employees (past and present) have a legal right to have their personal information protected by shredding it before it is discarded. Insurance records, employment applications, time cards, health records, accident reports and attendance records are some examples of information that legally must be protected.
Protect Your Image
“Dumpster Diving” has become Investigative Journalism 101. With all the privacy compliance laws, it is the first place reporters look to grab a quick headline on a slow news day. Privacy has become a hot consumer awareness issue and confidential information in your dumpster is an easy source of sensational headlines.
Protect Your Trade Information
The courts have demonstrated many times that they will not recognize trade information protections if a company doesn’t take every step to protect the information themselves. Casual disposal of information has been the basis for courts to deny trade information rights, which otherwise would have been enforceable. In fact, the U.S. Supreme court has ruled that you forfeit the right of ownership to discarded information. Put simply……. If you don’t protect it like trade information, the courts won’t either.
It’s the Law
Your organization must comply with laws and regulations that require protection of certain information when it is discarded. An increasing number of laws actually require organizations to shred or face steep fines. The following federal legislation requires physical safeguards, such as shredding to meet compliance.
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