Archive for February, 2012
Paper and the Future of Data Security

The paper on your desk isn’t going away. The forms you need to fill out or have clients/customers fill out aren’t going away. Even as we live in the age of e-mail, online payments and transferring documents via zip/flash drives. We still need paper and we still need to address the security concerns that surround that paper. Those forms, receipts, order-sheets and statements have valuable information on them and remember; even its old and out of date, it can still be valuable to someone else. Someone who doesn’t have your best interests in heart; thieves pluck those documents out the trash and use the information on them to steal from you or your customers. It’s your responsibility to see that all that paper is disposed of in a safe and secure manner. That means you need a paper shredder.

What is the status of paper in today’s business world?

Paper consumption has risen 400% since 1970. The flip-side to that is that in the last ten years (2000-2010) paper production has declined on average of 1% per year. There are a lot of reasons for that double-sided statistic.  People print double-sided documents, screen technology is easier on the eyes, paperless storage technology is on the rise and email became vastly more popular and efficient then faxes and mailed correspondences. There are less pleasant reasons as well; such as white collar unemployment and companies printing less brochures and catalogs.

Despite the technological advancements of the last forty years, paper remains a constant in offices. You use for virtually everything; checks, stationary, envelopes, business reports/documents, printers, fax machines, advertisements, coupons, personal care products such as paper towels, toilet paper and issues. You would be hard-pressed to find an office that doesn’t have most if not all of those items. The world at large is still hungry for paper as well.  In 2010, over 300 million metric tons of paper products were used and sold worldwide. Of that total, over 68 million metric tons were used in the United States; we consume the most out of every country. In fact, the average US office worker uses 10,000 sheets of paper each year and the average US consumer uses 749 lbs of paper products each year.

The main reason you need a shredder for the masses of paper that run through your office each year is security-oriented. Thieves will fish paper out of the trash for numbers for bank accounts, social security and credit cards, the main ingredients for identity theft; of which, there 15 million victims in 2010, which is 10% higher than the year before; corporate espionage is a constant threat as well. It accounted for $15 billion in 2010 and with a growth rate of 15%, the FBI declared it the fastest growing crime in the United States; Despite the various pieces of federal legislation enacted to protect clients and consumers; 1996 – HIPAA, 2002 – Sarbanes-Oxley, 2003 – FACTA and PCI-DSS in 2004.

People need shredders and they’re developing a taste and sense for good ones. What do people look for in a shredder nowadays? Increased waste volume for fewer bag changes, increased sheet capacity, the ability to shred other media and 12” feed width and machines that require no or minimal maintenance.  Add that to the fact that sales for strip cut shredders are declining and wide format (14 7/8”) printing is dead and you start to get a better picture. Another question you should consider when looking at shredding options is on-site vs. off-site shredding.

There are also environmental and safety concerns to be considered. UL has shifted from the 1950 to the 60950 standard and the EPA warns to careful about indoor air pollution, such as the paper dust caused by shredders. People want energy efficiency and to join the trend of “going green”.

For customers who would like all these concerns met and considered, Dahle Professional Shredders offers their CleanTEC line of shredders. They offer increased waste capacities in all ranges, increased sheet capacities and safe technology such as; verbal and contact emergency stop features and proximity sensors. The CleanTEC line also has electronic sensing protection (ESP) and a sheet capacity sensor which prevents overfeeding. The CleanTEC technology removes 98% of the fine dust generated by shredding and its SmartPower multi-stage power management system saves energy. The even flow lubrication ensures that the machine is oiled when and where it’s needed and it is quiet. All machines are made to run in the high 40s to low 50s db rating which should be acceptable in any work environment.

K.L. Security recognizes that secure and efficient shredders are an important part of office security; which is why we offer security and commercial shredders from Dahle. They are a company we believe in and their CleanTEC models can serve well in your office or home.

 
Dahle CleanTEC Shredders are now NSA/CSS 02-01 Approved

This just in!!

The Cryptographic & Security Services Division of the National Security Agency (NSA) completed its evaluation of the Dahle North America, Inc., 41334 and 41434 crosscut shredders against the requirements in NSA/CSS Specification 02-01.

According to the release letter, “Dahle Model Numbers 41334, 40334, 41434 and 40434 will be added to the next release of the EPL for High Security Crosscut Shredders. These shredders will remain on the EPL under the condition that they will not undergo any design modifications that would alter the ability to destroy paper against the requirements ofNSA/CSS Specification 02-01. The capacity of the Dahle 41334 and 40334 will be listed at 7 reams of paper per hour at 3 sheets per pass, with a 10.25 inch feed opening. The capacity ofthe Dahle 41434 and 40434 will be listed at 11 reams of paper per hour at 5 sheets per pass, with a 10.25 inch feed opening.”

 

With the addition of these high security paper shredders, we are able to offer our customers more choice for their document destruction needs.

 

 

 
Your Shredder Might Need Tougher Teeth

Shredders Comparisons

Your Shredder Might Need Tougher Teeth

                K.L. Security has made its customers aware that paper shredders should be considered security items, not just a piece of office equipment. Another aspect of that is to understand that many models of paper shredders can be used for more than just disposing of paperwork. Sensitive information is no longer just on paper products; companies often use CDs and DVDs to store everything from client names and credit cards to bank account numbers. DVDs and CDs cannot just be tossed in the trash; even if you have erased them, scratched them up or smashed them. Smart and determined thieves can often retrieve data from disc that only has cosmetic damage.

Compare paper shredder brands

                There is a security question that you should ask yourself; should my company or home office stick with a paper-only shredder or do we need a model that thoroughly destroy CDs and DVDs and other forms of multimedia as well? Here is a list of pros and cons of each type of shredder.

Shredding Speed: paper-only shredders will go through documents faster; shredders that focus on or have the multimedia option will go slower; electronic media is tougher then paper. Warning! There is a danger to trying to shred discs/plastics in a paper-only shredder. You could be hit with a wave of potentially sharp bits of former credit cards and computer discs as well as damage the cutting cylinders of your current shredder. Before you shred any plastic or media, check to make sure your shredder is rated to shred it!

Bag Changes: Shredders that destroy DVDs/CDs often require a separate bag or bin for the chopped-up plastic and metal bits. There is a reason for that; it is more environmentally responsible; electronics often go to separate disposal areas for recycling.

Maintenance: paper-only shredders require various levels of maintenance depending which style of cutting head they use; mostly different levels of oiling. Since shredders that can destroy plastic have tougher cutting heads; they need more maintenance and controlled use. Regularly scheduled oiling is a necessary element.

Security: in this area you need to decide which type of shredder you need. If you think that your primary concern should the destruction of multimedia then go with a dedicated model that can provide the heavier cutters needed. If your company or office is paper-oriented then go with a cross-cut paper shredder. There are many crosscut shredders that also support multimedia shredding. It’s best to consult with an expert first!

Price and warranty: Price is often an important factor but don’t overlook warranties. Top-shelf manufacturers will have the cutting heads on their shredders covered from ten years to life. Product quality goes a long way with the return on your investment and the warranty is a reflection of that quality.

Here is a list of companies that manufacture both paper and multimedia shredders.

SEM

Dahle (Dahle shredders can universally shred documents, many are rated for staples, while many of their CleanTEC models can shred DVDs/CDs.)

Intimus

HSM

Kobra

Destroyit

MBM

Formax

Clary

Martin Yale Industries

Olympia

Aurora

Doing a job right requires the right piece of equipment. Tossing your paperwork and multimedia into the garbage without properly destroying it is too much of an identity theft risk.  Shredders aren’t only for paper anymore. There are models that can destroy computer discs, DVDs, CDs, prescription pill bottles, credit cards and hard drive parts. One final piece of advice, many brand name manufacturers offer combo models that can switch between multimedia and paper modes. Be certain to ask the right questions and learn how each of these models shreds the different materials as well as learn the most you can regarding  ratings and warranties for the cutting heads.

 

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