Protecting Your Business: Key Questions for Data Destruction Companies

Levi Hentges , Vice President/Business Development, SEAM

Data destruction is crucial for maintaining security and trust within your organization. Therefore, it’s essential to find the best data destruction provider to handle your company’s sensitive information.

Here are some important questions to ask any data destruction company before hiring them:

1. What Certifications Do You Have?

Certifications and compliance are key factors when selecting a data destruction service provider. Even if you’re not familiar with all the certifications, having a basic understanding can help you assess the security and compliance levels offered by potential providers. Some common industry certifications include:

• NAID AAA: Ensures data protection and secure destruction of hard drives and solid-state drives.
• R2: Focuses on responsible recycling and data security.
• e-Stewards: Emphasizes ethical and responsible reuse and recycling.
• ISO 14001: Pertains to environmental management plans.
• ISO 45001: Relates to occupational health and safety standards.
• ISO 9001: Concerns quality management.

These certifications help maintain trust and high-quality operations within a company.

2. What Steps Do You Take to Ensure Proper Recycling?

Responsible disposal is important to your business, so it’s crucial to choose a transparent data destruction company. Improper disposal of hardware can lead to environmental hazards and legal issues. Ensure the provider you choose does not dump hardware in landfills or by roadways, which can result in harmful chemicals leaching into the soil and groundwater. If your company’s name is found on improperly disposed equipment, you could be liable for illegal dumping violations and cleanup costs.

3. Do You Offer Onsite Shredding and Destruction?

Onsite shredding and data destruction services offer greater convenience, transparency, and trust compared to in-plant services. Always ask potential providers where they handle shredding and destruction, and consider your business needs. High-quality shredding services can be performed onsite or via mobile shredding with the right equipment.

4. What Extra Fees Do You Charge?

Be aware of any extra processing fees or add-on charges in addition to the company’s flat destruction fee. Ensure you understand the full cost by requesting an itemized breakdown. If a company offers vague answers or refuses to provide detailed cost information, they may not be trustworthy. Choose providers who offer honest and ethical services to keep your business in good financial standing.

Go With SEAM: Secure Data Destruction

At SEAM, we take proper disposal seriously. Our various certifications and no-landfill policy demonstrate our commitment to responsible reuse, recycling, and destruction practices, regardless of the equipment’s value. If your business in North Dakota or South Dakota needs data destruction services, our strict adherence to quality and compliance sets us apart. Contact us for a quote today for all your data destruction needs.

Levi Hentges is the Vice President/Business Development at SEAM. He helps clients build and manage their IT Asset Disposition (ITAD) programs to comply with legal, corporate and environmental requirements surrounding their technology devices; including asset recovery and resale, data destruction and secure electronics recycling.