Digital data is seen everywhere, from TV ads to sponsored posts to emails to spreadsheets. When was the last time you saw something on a paper document? Our world still has important paperwork that needs to be secured, though. Paper shredding is one way that you can do that, and it’s a market that is, according to Data Bridge, expected to grow 8.10% from 2022 to 2029. Here’s what to know about keeping hard documents safe.

Identify and Secure

You need to identify paperwork that should be secured by seeing if they have any identifying information on them such as your name, address, social security number, or phone number. Papers that have your salary, work address, or other business information should also be secured. All banking information, or any financial services information such as mortgages, investments, or insurance are also included in these lists.

After identifying your documents, you want to secure them in a locking file cabinet or safe. This may not keep all your documents safe in the time of a breach, but it will make it harder for criminals to leave with your information. Keep your paper documents safe, or safer, than your digital files.

Paper Shredding

From getting stolen in a break-in to getting picked from dumpsters, paper documents are easily grabbed. Any document that isn’t absolutely needed should be shredded. Instead of just tossing those old tax forms, they should be shredded, too. Paper shredding can be as simple as using strip-cut machines and as complex as the cross-hatch machines that result in the confetti-like paper you’ve seen. At Arrow Transfer & Storage, we’ll do that secure shredding for you and then have the trash recycled and pulped.

Business Safety

This effort should go toward your workspace as well. Keep all your items in a locked cabinet or drawer that only you have access to. Shared spaces and shared trash bins are not secure, and a coworker or a visitor could lift your items and use them. A September 2003 report by the FTC showed that 14% of respondents said they were a victim of workplace or family identity theft, so make sure you keep all your personal and work documents safe.

If you’re concerned about document storage, paper shredding, or other document services, give our office a call. We have years of experience in keeping your identifying information safe and secure. Put us to work on keeping your life’s important paperwork out of the hands of thieves.