October 27, 2025
Making the Best Choice for Secure Document Destruction
No matter the industry, it’s essential for every business to thoroughly evaluate their options for disposing of documents that are no longer needed. As part of that decision-making process, businesses must assess potential risks and determine the most secure method for discarding sensitive documents.
Document Disposal Options, Risks, and Impacts
Do Nothing
Physical data continues to be a serious and ongoing threat, making inaction a riskier choice. According to the IBM Cost of a Data Breach 2025 report, physical theft or security issue accounted for about 9% of all data breaches in 2024. If your business does not currently shred confidential documents, you should consider the consequences if that information were to end up in the wrong hands. The average cost of a breach last year reached a record 10.2 million USD. That’s a 9% increase from 2023, driven largely by rising regulatory fines and growing expenses of detection and escalation.
Beyond the financial impact of fines, detection, and escalation costs, your business may also suffer the loss of current and potential customers and experience long-term reputational damage. For small and mid-sized companies, these financial and operational impacts could be particularly severe.
Do it Yourself Document Destruction
Destroying documents using your own equipment is generally a less secure method and can involve hidden costs that overshadow its perceived benefits.
Shredding in-house typically relies on standard office shredders, which may not completely destroy the material. These machines often cut paper into vertical or horizontal strips, which can be retrieved, reassembled, and used for identity theft or other malicious purposes.
Beyond security concerns, DIY shredding also brings a range of unforeseen expenses:
- Staffing – DIY shredding is often more complicated and time-consuming than it appears. Many office shredders are designed to handle only paper, which means staff must take extra steps to prepare documents before shredding. This typically involves removing staples, paper clips, and other fasteners. Employees must then hand-feed each sheet into the machine, a process that can significantly distract them from more critical business tasks.
- Machine maintenance – The decision to purchase shredding equipment brings with it ongoing costs for maintenance and repairs. While standard office shredders may seem affordable at first, frequent use can lead to breakdowns or paper jams. These issues not only incur repair expenses but also reduce overall staff productivity as employees spend time troubleshooting and fixing equipment instead of focusing on their primary responsibilities.
- Safety risks – Office shredders may pose safety hazards if staff are not properly trained to operate the equipment. Employees could get their hands or clothing caught in shredding machines, which could lead to serious injuries and associated liability concerns.
Hire a Local Document Shredding Service Startup
While hiring a professional shredding service can be a better option than handling document destruction in-house, it is important to carefully weigh the risks and rewards. Not all shredding companies offer the same level of security or reliability, so evaluating your options is critical.
Consider these important questions when making your decision. If you answer “no” to any of these questions, then it’s time to seek a better option.
- Is the company NAID-AAA certified?
- How long has the company been in business, and do they have the expertise?
- Do they offer a wide range of services and are they flexible to provide solutions best for your business, such as onsite and offsite shredding, multiple shred sizes, or proof of service?
- Will they help keep you current with the changing legislation on information security?
- Do you know what happens to your shredded documents after they leave your possession?
Hire a Multi-Service Document Destruction Provider
Choosing a provider that does not specialize in secure document destruction may expose your information to unnecessary risks. Multi-service companies that offer shredding alongside other services, such as shipping or printing, might prioritize logistics and cost efficiency over security. These providers may outsource shredding, which can result in lapses in document protection.
Additionally, employees may lack the necessary training in secure document destruction and may not have the expertise to advise you on best practices or keep you up-to-date on changes in legislation.
Use an Industry Leader Specializing in Document Destruction Services
When selecting a shredding service, businesses should consider several important factors to ensure the highest level of security and reliability:
- Expertise – Look for a provider with decades of experience in protecting confidential information and recognized industry expertise.
- NAID Certification – The National Association for Information Destruction (NAID) certification guarantees a secure chain of custody from pickup to disposal and provides proof of service for your records.
- Service Reliability – An extensive network helps minimize service disruptions and offers flexibility for businesses with unexpected document destruction needs.
- Customizable Solutions – Providers should offer a wide selection of reliable data destruction services that can be tailored to meet the unique requirements of your organization.
- Employee Training and Tools – Comprehensive policy templates, interactive training programs, and accessible resources help ensure that employees are educated in data protection best practices, regardless of company size.
Shred-it® is committed to providing secure and efficient destruction services for confidential information. With a focus on protecting sensitive data, Shred-it® utilizes proven processes to ensure that your organization’s documents are disposed of in compliance with relevant regulations.
Backed by over 30 years of experience, Shred-it® has developed a deep understanding of the unique information security needs faced by businesses across various sectors. Our experts possess comprehensive knowledge of information security legislation and established best practices, enabling us to help safeguard your organization’s reputation and ensure compliance with ever-changing requirements.
To support your decision-making process, we offer a downloadable checklist highlighting key considerations when determining how to handle confidential documents.
*This article is for general information purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice on any specific facts or circumstances.
