Personal data obtained from private documents can give criminals access to bank accounts, medical insurance, and more. As a result, document destruction has become an integral part of safe business practices. Shredding protects your employees, customers, and proprietary information. It also maintains compliance with privacy laws and regulations.
If you have concerns about the level of security offered with document shredding, hiring a professional document destruction provider can offer peace of mind. Certified shredding providers follow strict guidelines and adhere to federal and state privacy and security standards.
However, some might require even more peace of mind. That’s where witnessed shredding comes in. In this blog, we’ll explain what witnessed shredding is, who might be required to witness shredding as it happens, and what type of shredding service makes witnessing shredding easiest.
What is Witnessed Shredding?
First off, let’s confirm what witnessed shredding is. Witnessed shredding is the process of watching your documents get destroyed in real time. Witnessed shredding boosts security even further, often without any additional costs. By witnessing the shredding process, you’ll have peace of mind as you watch your information get destroyed quickly with cross-cut shredding and professional recycling.
Industries That Benefit From Witnessing Shredding
With existing federal- and state-level laws and regulations, all businesses have an obligation to protect consumer privacy. However, depending on your location and specific industry, some regulations are stricter than others. For a number of industries, witnessed shredding may be highly beneficial, if not required for compliance.
Medical and Healthcare
Personal health information is protected by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health (HITECH) Act. Both acts have shaped the way information is handled in the healthcare industry today. They mandate confidentiality for all health information and require careful handling and disposal of health records. Witnessed shredding ensures that health records are handled properly and helps prevent penalties for HIPAA violations.
Financial Services
Financial information gives criminals access to money and other assets, making your documents and data very valuable. The Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (GLBA) defines how financial institutions should handle and dispose of documents to protect their clients. Witnessed shredding shows clients your commitment to their privacy.
Educational Institutions
Schools and other educational organizations collect data regarding grades, classes, and student’s personal information. The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and the Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment (PPRA) require information protection of all educational records and personal data. Secure, witnessed shredding will protect your students and fuel a positive reputation for your institution.
Government and Legal Services
Government and legal offices handle large amounts of sensitive and personal data. The Fair and Accurate Credit Transaction Act (FACTA) and the Privacy Act of 1974 govern safe information practices including document disposal. Witnessed shredding maintains compliance with privacy regulations and ensures that your clients are protected.
Data-based Businesses
Data-based businesses rely on data and information sharing to create a revenue stream through their platform. Strict regulations surround data collection and privacy to protect the consumer and prevent data mishandling.
Laws like the California Consumer Privacy Act of 2018 (CCPA) and the California Privacy Rights Act (CPRA) set guidelines for the collection and processing of personal information. These businesses should take every precaution when it comes to handling data, including witnessing the shredding of their physical documents.
Witness Shredding with Mobile Services
Mobile shredding is an onsite service that destroys your documents using a mobile shred truck. Bringing the shredder to your location allows you to witness the shredding of your documents first-hand.
How On-site Mobile Shredding Works
First, a mobile shred truck will come to your location. A shredding professional will collect your documents and any secure shred bins you may have in use. The shred trucks use a mechanical arm to lift and empty your bins directly into the shredder.
Your documents will then be immediately destroyed, as you watch. After the shredding is complete, a certificate of destruction will be created for your records and your shreds will be returned to the shredding facility for recycling.
Though witnessed shredding is not specifically required by law, proof of compliance is mandatory for laws like HIPAA, FACTA, and GLBA. A certificate of destruction provides proof of compliance in a formal document. It contains details from your shredding project including the location, date, witnesses, barcode numbers, and the chain of custody details.
The chain of custody documents who comes in contact with your papers and where they are at all times. It is an important detail, much like witnessing your shredding, that provides personal assurance that your documents were properly handled.
Witness Shredding Off-site
Witnessed shredding is also available with off-site shredding services via closed-circuit cameras. Similar to on-site mobile services, you will be able to watch your shred bins as they are emptied into the shredder and your documents are destroyed. Professional off-site facilities are equipped with 24/7 video monitoring to ensure you can witness your shredding at any time.
Witness Your Shredding with Shred Nations
Witnessing the shredding process gives you unbeatable peace of mind regarding the safety and proper handling of your documents. You can confidently follow privacy laws and boost your security measures without any additional costs.
Shred Nations’ nationwide network of professionals offer multiple service options for your witnessed shredding needs. From on-site mobile shredding and off-site destruction to recurring service, one-time purges, and convenient drop-off locations, you can securely destroy your documents in the most convenient way for you.
Whether you’re located in Tucson or Tallahassee, give us a call at (800) 747-3365, fill out the form, or use the live chat to receive free quotes on shredding services in your area today.
