CONFIDENTIAL SHREDDING
CONTINUED
Hybrid working is a boon to many employees, but it does come with responsibilities too – especially when it comes to maintaining the security of the business they work for. While online security is a priority, disposing correctly of physical documents is still vitally important too. People can forget that files sent on email and then printed at home need the same protection and destruction as they do in an office, says Martina Alexander, regional marketing director UK & Ireland and Derwent at ACCO Brands EMEA. “In September 2024, 41% of all crimes were fraud related with an estimated 23% of fraud reported in the UK not cyber related, according to the Crime Survey for England and Wales (National Crime Agency) ,” she says. “Still a real and dangerous threat easily removed by shredding anything that includes sensitive data.” Annaliese Curtis, trade marketing manager – UK & Ireland at Fellowes, agrees that confidential shredding can be overlooked by hybrid workers. “But it shouldn’t be,” she says. “Hybrid workers still handle personal and company data, meaning GDPR compliance remains crucial, even outside the traditional office. Ignoring shredding at home increases the risk of data breaches and identity theft. Physical documents like invoices, account numbers, or client details can be just as sensitive as digital data and must be disposed of securely.”
Aaron Blom, business development manager at Intimus, notes that it is no longer just about shredding paper documents. “Secure disposal now extends to IT hardware and other peripherals,” he says. “Gone are the days when it was acceptable to toss documents into the recycling bin. We've all seen the news reports of confidential data found in bins or even discarded by the roadside. The key is to ensure that whatever you're disposing of, whether physical or digital, is done securely and is inaccessible to anyone who might misuse it. “Even labels and delivery notes on external parcels can pose a serious security risk, especially when they contain sensitive information such as names, addresses, account numbers or order details. “While the contents of a parcel may now be safely inside a hybrid worker’s premises, the packaging itself can expose valuable data. In some cases, this information could make hybrid workers more vulnerable to targeted theft or social engineering, as it reveals what has been delivered and to whom. “So even packaging materials must be disposed of carefully. Using shredders or secure disposal methods for delivery labels and documents is a simple but effective way to reduce risk.” Shredding solutions There are various confidential shredding solutions on the market tailored to hybrid workers. “For everyday personal information such as bills or bank statements, a cross-cut or mini-cut shredder is ideal,” says Annaliese. “For highly confidential material, such as client financials or internal reports, a micro- cut shredder provides higher security, turning documents into tiny particles that are virtually impossible to reconstruct. Compact models with quiet operation suit the home office environment well.” Martina agrees that a cross-cut shredder, which will cut an A4 sheet into
Martina Alexander, regional marketing director UK & Ireland and Derwent
accobrands.com
Latest trends have shown that size matters when looking for home office shredders. “ ”
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