For anyone dealing with sensitive documents and paper shredders, it makes sense to track new changes across the industry that you are working in. Medical and government sectors, just to name two, make a lot of use out of paper shredders to protect sensitive information. Even generic business entities use paper shredders to make sure the details of financial and employee data don't make their way out to competitors, hackers, identity thieves or others, not to mention the need to protect client data in retail.

You can get news on emerging trends in an industry through online collective resources for reporting how industrial paper shredders help provide regulatory compliance or protect data in a certain area of business life. Managers might look for:

1. Tips on office paper shredders for businesses and regulatory compliance in a particular industry.

2. Government data protection principles and how they affect paper shredders.

3. More on what's happening in the paper shredding industry, including most common choices like cross cut shredders, micro cut shredders, heavy-duty shredders or any other kind of specific model for best document destruction.

Action Steps for Paper Shredder Shopping
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Find out about paper shredders for HIPAA compliance in the medical industry

In medical fields, workers and managers must comply with vast regulatory systems including the HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) mandates, and that means patient information needs to be protected throughout its entire life cycle. Software accomplishes this on the paperless end and paper shredding machines do the job when data gets printed.

I recommend: This article on how paper shredder innovations are contributing to HIPAA compliance is just part of the ongoing news collection you can check out at Compliance Home for evaluating compliance trends in the paper shredder industry. At the HIPAA Compliance Journal site, new features illustrate how the paper shredding sector has boomed due to regulatory features of this info-security legislation.

Get more regulatory and paper shredders industry information

For those involved in civic business areas including federal related work, whether the government is a client, an employer, or a part of data holdings, managers need to stay up on what's happening in similar businesses for complying with other civic data regulations for various agencies like NSA, DOD or even municipal offices.

I recommend: This Paper Shredding blog offers more information on types of shredding machines for NSA, DOD and more. Get more news on the government's requirements for data and shredding industry developments at Security Magazine.

Look for more on paper shredders news and trends

Other issues a business leader might want information on are the ways other businesses use their tools effectively in networking with the greater business environment. Magazines and news sources focused on data protection can offer some good insights.

I recommend: Recycling Today offers articles taking a look at how paper shredding helps a business assist clients and market forces in protecting data and how the industry is changing. And for more on current news, try the Secure Destruction Business magazine.

Tips & Tactics Picking a Paper Shredder

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  When adapting news on paper shredders to your business, look for more than just getting the paper chopped up the way you like it. Having a destination for the end product besides just dumping it in the alley will maximize your efficiency in dealing with data protection.

With identity thieves and other untoward characters lurking about, one of today's most popular pieces of low-tech equipment for small businesses is the simple office paper shredder. Tossing out billing or credit card information, blueprints for new product innovations, secret recipes for restaurant specialties, customer account information or potential merger/acquisition documents can leave you or your business open to sabotage or identity theft Paper shredding can help. If competitors get their hands on certain documents, you could lose your competitive edge, and if thieves get hold of account numbers, they can rack up charges quickly. Keep your company and your customers safe with a simple paper shredder, which can:

1. Protect trade secrets.
2. Reduce the threat of identity theft.
3. Prevent leaks of an impending sale or acquisition.
4. Keep sensitive information from employees.
5. Protect payroll data.
6. Protect customer and employee information.

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Are there legal requirements regarding paper shredding?

Under the Fair and Accurate Credit Transaction Act (FACTA), the federal government requires that businesses destroy all documents containing consumer information in order to avoid unauthorized use of the information. To be in compliance with the law and to avoid penalties, you should use a paper shredder on all documents containing customer information.

I recommend: Get the facts about FACTA and how it applies to your business at PrivacyRights.org.

Go with office-grade or industrial shredders

Not all shredding machines are created equal. Small, personal paper shredders clog easily, so unless you're running a one- or two-person business, opt for an office-grade paper shredder. These models boast bigger motors that let you and employees shred more items for longer periods of time. For heavy-weight paper shredding needs, consider a heavy-duty industrial shredder. Crosscut paper shredders are especially effective.

I recommend: Get tips on choosing the right model from SecureShredders.com or a list of features, suppliers and buying tips at the eBay paper shredder buying guide.

Different materials, different shredding machines

The type of shredding machine you choose depends on the materials you need to shred. If you're only going to be shredding paper documents, a basic model will suffice. If you'll be shredding CDs, videocassettes or other materials, you'll need a specialty shredder designed for those materials. For the destruction of products, such as computer hardware and telephones, you'll need a product destruction shredder.

I recommend: Find data destroyers that shred CDs and key tapes at WhitakerBrothers.com and find a product destruction shredder at AlleghenyShredders.com.  Cross cut shredder models are also available.

Volume to be shredded

The volume of materials you'll be shredding also plays a part in your choice of shredding machine. If yours is a document-driven firm, select a paper shredder that can handle high volume, like an industrial shredder or high-end cross cut shredder. To prolong the life of your shredder, choose one that can handle a higher capacity than you actually anticipate.

I recommend: OfficeDepot.com lets you search their paper shredders by volume, including light-duty, medium-duty and heavy-duty options.

Paper shredder throat size varies

To find the right paper shredder, consider the width of the documents you'll be shredding. If you deal in bulky computer printouts, you'll need a paper shredder that has a large throat size - basically a wider opening. Most shredders have a throat size between eight and 12 inches, but they can go beyond 20 inches.

I recommend: For a listing of shredders by throat size, visit MySimon.com. 

Confidentiality concerns

Depending on the sensitivity of the materials you shred, you can choose a shredder that simply cuts paper into long ribbon-like strips, one a crosscut paper shredder that cuts both lengthwise and widthwise, or a model that cuts into more than 1,000 particles. Ribbon-cut strips are the easiest to piece together so if you're super-concerned about security, select a cross-cut model. Unless you're dealing in top-secret military contract work, you can get by with a cross-cut shredder.

I recommend: WhitakerBrothers.com offers a full range of shredding machines, including low-volume personal paper shredders, industrial shredders and high-security crosscut paper shredders.  Business.com lists suppliers of paper shredders and other paper processing machines, as well as other document finishing solutions.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Avoid paper jams by emptying the waste receptacle often. Some shredders come with an indicator to alert you when the receptacle is full.
• •  To keep your shredder working properly, clear the dust that builds up in the blades and oil the cutting tools from time to time. With a cross cut shredder, be sure to follow the maintenance instructions.
• •  Don't delegate the shredding of your most sensitive documents to entry-level employees. Choose a trusted senior-level professional, or do it yourself. Even the most effective cross cut shredder can't protect information on documents that are still intact.
• •  Implement a strict policy regarding shredding and stress the importance of it to all employees.
• •  Make sure to properly train anyone doing any shredding, whether with a basic cross cut paper shredder of a powerful industrial shredder.
• •  Don't shred the manual! A crosscut paper shredder, for example, might offer features not immediately apparent.

More and more businesses are using paper shredders to get rid of documents that have sensitive data on them. As regulatory compliance is an emerging trend, and more company data ends up on paper, progressively, more documents fall into this category. As a result, a lot of businesses have a glut of paper that needs to be shredded.

When you have your paper shredder machines in house, there are a few things that will help you make the most of your purchase. Take a look at these administrative details and how you can get help online to do your shredding efficiently. Managers might look for:

1. How to keep documents safe before shredding

2. How to keep industrial paper shredders, cross cut shredders, micro cut shredders, heavy-duty shredders and other machines in good working order.

3. What to do with all of the shredded paper a business accumulates.

Action Steps
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Find document storage solutions to complement paper shredding machines

One thing a manager has to think about is how documents will be processed and stored for the shredder. Having open bins doesn't really solve the issue of how to protect the sensitive data on the documents. In a paranoid age of turning papers face down every time you leave your desk, keeping pre-shredded documents in open containers defeats your entire purpose. Look for locking containers to warehouse your documents correctly.

I recommend: All Source Security Container offers a lot of different models of locking paper bins for keeping sensitive documents safe until they are shredded. Get more of this useful gear at Busch Systems to make sure your confidential documents are safe.

Get repair solutions online for shredding machines

In all probability, you won't be needing repair services for your machines very often, but then again, you never know. Having a connection with a repair shop can make things go more smoothly if there is a paper shredder breakdown or trouble of any kind, including jam issues with specialized models like confetti cut shredders or strip cut shredders.

I recommend: For a shop that both sells and services shredders, check out Whitaker Brothers online. With an impressive client list and great services like free shipping and phone support, this company can stand behind its shredders and help out if there are any problems. Get more paper shredder repair solutions at Southeastern Shredder Repair.

Find destinations for shredded paper from paper shredders

Businesses are left with mountains of paper shreds to deal with. Online forums will help you figure out the best options for donating or re-using shredded paper from your business.

I recommend: The Frugal Life offers tips on how to use shredded paper, including tons of ad mail sent to a commercial office. For more, check out the forum at Money Saving Experts. Some of these solutions can be good for smaller businesses, especially if you'd like to diversify into paper products.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Making the most of paper shredders also involves an eye toward safety. Even though paper shredders are generally built with a lot of safety features, it's still a good idea to do some light training, if only to make sure staff are using the machines efficiently.

If you're like many businesses, you'll want to dispose of company documents by using paper shredders. If you're considering getting one or more of these units, you'll benefit from learning a few paper shredders key terms. While shopping for a paper shredder, you might hear terms such as sheet capacity, shredder speed, feed width, cross cut and strip cut. Knowing what these terms mean might make deciding what type of paper shredder to buy a whole lot easier.

Action Steps
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Strip cut

Strip-cut paper shredders shred paper into thin strips. While the strips are narrow enough to be unreadable, strip-cut shredders are considered the least secure type of paper shredder for protecting against identity theft.

I recommend: Binding.com explains how strip-cut paper shredders work and includes photos.

Cross cut

Cross-cut paper shredders use two blades to shred paper into tiny bits or particles. These types of paper shredders are considered best for destroying sensitive documents.

I recommend: Wheeler Business Machines gives a brief description of cross-cut shredding and also provides a picture of the blades used in these types of paper shredders.

Sheet capacity

Sheet capacity refers to how many sheets of paper can be fed into the paper shredder at one time. Sheet capacity is one of the factors used in comparing one paper shredder with another.

I recommend: Find a thorough explanation of how sheet capacity is determined at Clary Business Machines.

Feed width, or opening

Feed width, or opening, refers to the place on the shredder where paper is fed. Also referred to as the throat, feed width must be considered if you have oversized documents to shred.

I recommend: Shredder Warehouse has a detailed description of feed width, the various widths available and why feed width is important.

Shredder speed

Shredder speed reflects how many sheets of paper a particular shredder can shred. This can be measured in seconds, minutes or on a per-day basis.

I recommend: The Office Guide fully explains shredder speed and includes the type of speed needed for both mid- and heavy-volume shredding.

Duty cycle

Many paper shredders have a duty cycle. This safety feature protects the motor of the paper shredder from overheating due to overuse. Duty cycle refers to how long a shredder can run before it needs to be turned off.

I recommend: Find a description of duty cycle and how it works at Hefter OfficeTech.