What You Need to Know About Destroying Old Documents

Old document destruction can be a smart practice for a handful of reasons. It’s no fluke that businesses frequently invest in paper-shredding machines. First and foremost, the destruction of old documents can often safeguard businesses from the risks of data breaches. Failing to protect potentially sensitive and private information is a major oversight. That’s why it’s good to be prepared and understand how to properly identify and destroy old documents.

Saying Goodbye to Old and Unnecessary Documents

There are all kinds of documents that are sensitive. Pay stubs, statements from financial institutions and receipts are all examples. If you have any sensitive documents that you no longer need, keeping them around can be risky. If you want to get rid of these documents, you can hire a highly regarded company that specializes in secure shredding services. You could also invest in a paper-shredding machine of your own. If you take the latter route, however, you have to make sure to establish an in-depth document destruction policy beforehand. Establishing a policy can be wise for various reasons. For starters, it will help promote optimal privacy and confidentiality. The right plan could also ensure that you correctly follow local, state and federal privacy laws. The goal is to keep possible employee mistakes at bay. A thorough document destruction policy can even help you steer clear of the stresses of breaches.

Know About the Retention of Records

For some organizations, it can be difficult to figure out if certain old documents should be kept. That’s why comprehensive knowledge of records retention can be so helpful. A strong grasp of retention can help professionals easily identify whether or not they need to keep paperwork for future reference. This can come in handy for organizations that have a large number of vendor invoices, yearly financial statements, audit assessments, purchase receipts, utility records, property records, insurance policies and even applications for employment. Knowledge of the ins and outs of proper retention can also benefit organizations that wish to stay organized, efficient and streamlined at all times. In many cases, the presence of unnecessary records can lead to messes and confusion.

Old Document Destruction and Privacy

If you’re searching for qualified and dependable professional assistance with records retention and beyond, contact the team at Information Requirements Clearinghouse. When your organization has a proper plan in place for destroying old documents, you’ll be able to enjoy greater peace of mind.