Certified Onsite Shredding: Your Business’s First Line of Defense Against Data Breaches

By: Levi Hentges , Vice President/Business Development, SEAM

When it comes to managing sensitive data, securely destroying it is essential—especially when handling large quantities of hard drives, documents, and other data-containing assets. Businesses are increasingly turning to mobile onsite shredding as a solution that ensures security, compliance, and convenience. However, it’s important to know how the process works and why partnering with certified professionals can protect your business.

How to Prepare for Mobile Shredding

Preparing for onsite shredding can be straightforward, but it’s crucial to do some preliminary work to streamline the process. Start by taking inventory of the data-containing assets you need to dispose of. This includes knowing which hard drives, documents, or electronic devices need to be destroyed. Using lockable, tamper-evident security bins can help keep sensitive information safe while awaiting destruction. Having a clear plan helps minimize the risk of unauthorized access or accidental exposure.

What Happens During Onsite Shredding

When the shredding truck arrives, it typically comes equipped with professional-grade shredders that can handle large volumes of data. Items are loaded directly into the shredder, and the entire process can often be observed by the client for peace of mind. Certified shredding services should follow industry standards like NIST Special Publication 800-88r1 to ensure the complete destruction of hard drives and other digital media, rendering all data unrecoverable.

Post-Shredding: Secure Disposal and Compliance

Once data has been shredded, a certified provider should securely transport the shredded materials to a facility where final processing occurs. If you have chosen on-site shredding, at no point should the data leave the premises without first being destroyed. This secure chain of custody is vital to ensuring compliance with data protection laws and regulations.

Why Certification Matters

One of the most critical aspects of choosing a shredding provider is verifying their certifications. Certifications like NAID AAA and compliance with NIST 800-88r1 standards are non-negotiable in ensuring that your sensitive data is handled with the highest level of security. Certified providers are subject to rigorous audits and ongoing compliance checks, which means they are equipped to handle your data with the attention it requires.

Without these certifications, you could be putting your business at risk of data breaches, fines, or even legal action due to non-compliance.

It Pays to Use Certified Providers

Ultimately, protecting sensitive information is more than just a responsibility—it’s a legal obligation.

For businesses in the Dakotas, SEAM offers certified, convenient, and secure mobile onsite shredding services that ensure compliance with the highest industry standards. If you’re looking for peace of mind and data protection you can trust, SEAM is here to help.

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.