MAKE A NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTION TO SECURE YOUR CONFIDENTIAL WASTE
As staff wind down for the festive season, and attention turns finally that that long overdue office clear out, Smurfit Kappa Security Shredding is warning businesses and organisations to recycle responsibly to ensure that confidential files and documents do not fall into the wrong hands.
"This is a busy time of year for office clear-outs which generate large amounts of paper waste, much of which is highly confidential: data, financial and customer records, personnel files, payroll data and even marketing strategies. These must be filed and archived securely and, where they are no longer needed, should be disposed of securely, not via general waste or recycling schemes," says David Bowker, manager of Smurfit Kappa's Security Shredding Services.
According to Companies House, 50 to 100 cases of corporate fraud are reported every month. Despite this very real risk, it seems that UK businesses are still behaving irresponsibly when it comes to safeguarding valuable data about their business, staff and customers. Business and consumer protection company CPP recently revealed that 91 per cent of British workers say their company's data safety guidelines are lax or that they are unaware whether such policies exist. With this in mind, Smurfit Kappa Security Shredding has come up with some simple New Year's resolutions for a cleaner, greener and more secure office:
1. Policy. Draft a document retention policy to outline what records you keep and for how long.
2. Separate and Secure. Ensure that sensitive information is separated from your main records and review who has access to it. This extends to personal post which should always be safely stored.
3. Recycle securely and certify. Appoint a specialist like Smurfit Kappa Security Shredding who is accredited to the British Security Industry Association (BSIA) and the United Kingdom Security Shredding Association (UKSSA), to destroy unwanted files and documents and recycle them securely. Then ensure you have a copy of the destruction certificate.
4. Communicate. Make sure all your staff are aware of your new policies
"Getting organised and having a good clear-out can be very cathartic. Everyone wants to start the New Year with a tidy office but if you don't take the time to find out exactly what is happening to your waste or recycling you are putting your business and possibly your employees and customers at serious risk from identity theft. All office managers should ask themselves one question: 'Who emptied your bins today?'," concludes Mr Bowker.
Smurfit Kappa Security Shredding offers a complete collection and destruction service for all materials including archive material, tapes and magnetic media. It can provide lockable office bins and skips, security bags and seals, and can arrange collections by security vehicles. For more information and to organise a free compliance audit visit www.smurfitkappa-recycling.com or call 01827 892029.