| We are living in a world of paper: we receive | | | | least secure and 5 being the most secure. Level 3 is |
| important information on paper, and share confidential | | | | an average one and usually enough for most |
| information on paper: creating documents, letters and | | | | requirements. |
| many sensitive issues. Therefore it's important to be | | | | Each level depends on cut types a shredder uses: strip |
| sure that our confidentiality and privacy are protected, | | | | cut or cross cut. |
| and that waste paper is disposed of. In the past | | | | Cross cut shredder cuts paper into confetti-like pieces |
| people used ways of destroying paper like burning and | | | | providing higher security and significantly reducing bulk |
| tearing, etc. Nowadays with huge volumes of paper all | | | | waste. |
| these methods are useless and we need something | | | | Strip cut shredder cuts paper into spaghetti-like pieces |
| really powerful and reliable. | | | | the length of the paper providing everyday security. |
| The first idea of a bulk paper shredding machine was | | | | - 1 Level is used for general paperwork and provides |
| patented in 1908 by A.A. Low, and the first shredder | | | | strip cut (10.5mm) and cross cut (10.5x40-80mm) |
| was created in Germany in 1935 by Adolf Ehinger. | | | | - 2 Level is to be used for everyday documents with |
| Since then with the fast growth of business and | | | | strip cut (3.9mm). |
| industry, shredders have become an important item of | | | | - 3 Level is used for confidential documents with cross |
| office equipment, for both company and home needs. | | | | cut (3.9x30mm) |
| Nowadays each company creates, edits, and destroys | | | | - 4 Level is intended for sensitive documents and uses |
| tons of paper documents that may contain highly | | | | cross cut (1.9x15mm) |
| confidential information that is not intended for | | | | - 5 Level provides the highest security and is used for |
| third-party viewing and usage. And the best way for | | | | secret documents with cross cut (0.78x11mm) |
| the company to protect itself is to shred all documents | | | | What to shred? |
| and other important papers before throwing them | | | | Each company is legally required to adequately |
| away. | | | | dispose sensitive information. Accounting and |
| This guide will help you choose the right shredder for | | | | Personnel departments produce highly sensitive |
| your company needs. | | | | information that is extremely useful to competitors. The |
| Before you go to the nearest office equipment store | | | | following documents should always be shredded |
| or logon to an online office supplies shop, you need to | | | | before disposal: |
| know answers to these 2 questions: | | | | - Financial reports |
| 1. How often will the shredder be used? | | | | - Marketing reports |
| The environment in which the shredder will be placed is | | | | - Sales reports |
| usually the best guide to how much shredding a | | | | - Budget information |
| machine will have to undertake and if it is the right type | | | | - Salary information |
| of machine to best meet your needs. | | | | - Personal data |
| Home Personal shredders are the best for single | | | | - Internal correspondence |
| users who works from home. Such machines can | | | | There is a wide range of shredders that can shred A4 |
| utilize about 20 sheets per day and work in an | | | | landscape, A3 and even CDs, and that feed |
| economical way for home workers to shred | | | | automatically. The maximum width of paper, which can |
| confidential business and personal information. | | | | be shredded by each machine, is listed in the |
| Medium duty use (not continuous) machines usually | | | | specifications table for individual models. |
| utilize 50-100 sheets a day. This is normal for shared | | | | Number of paper sheets that be shredded at one time |
| use in an office with 3 and more users. | | | | varies depending on the model. A standard office |
| Heavy-duty use machines are designed for large | | | | shredder can shred from 15 to 20 sheets at one time. |
| companies to withstand everyday continuous use and | | | | A strip cut machine shreds more sheets of paper in |
| can work as centralised machines for all office users. | | | | one time than cross cut machines, which provide |
| 2. How confidential is the information to be shredded? | | | | higher level of security shredding fewer sheets. |
| The security provided by the shredder is determined | | | | Shredders maintenance |
| by how small the paper is shredded. Levels of security | | | | Shredders usually require very little maintenance. The |
| rated by a DIN Security Level are ranging from 1 to 5. | | | | basics maintenance can be easily done inside the |
| DIN stands for "Deutsche Industrie Normierung" which | | | | company without calling in a specialist: this is periodical |
| means "German Industry Standard" and it is a | | | | clearance of the cutting heads of excess shredded |
| registered association promoting standardization, quality | | | | paper and regular oiling of the shredder to ensure the |
| assurance, safety, and environmental protection | | | | proper movement of the cutting heads. These are 2 |
| internationally. | | | | crucial steps towards efficient and long lasting |
| The DIN level of each shredder model can be found in | | | | operation of the shredder. The shredders usually have |
| the machine specs. | | | | a 2-years warranty with a 5-years warranty of the |
| The official levels range from 1 to 5 with 1 being the | | | | cutting heads. |