SELECTSHRED | IT’S PUBLIC INFORMATION—NO NEED TO SHRED. IS THAT REALLY TRUE? – PORT SAINT LUCIE SHREDDING FORT PIERCE SHREDDING INDIANTOWN SHREDDING STUART SHREDDING PALM CITY SHREDDING OKEECHOBEE SHREDDING HOBE SOUND SHREDDING
“It is public information and there is no reason to shred it. If we see there is no confidential information on the paper, we are absolutely confident in putting it in the trash or in a recycle bin.” Is that really true? Even with requests for public information, there is accountability involved. When requests for information are made to public agencies, some information is responsibly blotted out and a chain of custody is established (who is asking for the information). This is done to maintain confidentiality and establish accountability. Whether you are a financial institution, medical facility, or government agency, it is never acceptable to have information casually passed around or discarded.
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is very emphatic with its FACTA Disposal Rule and states that it applies to large and small organizations such as consumer reporting companies, lenders, insurers, employers, landlords, government agencies, mortgage brokers, car dealerships, attorneys, private investigators, and debt collectors. Your organization has an obligation to protect the identity and privacy of the public, clients or customers when their personal information is collected to conduct business. It is the legal right of the public, clients, and customers to expect any organization to take every precaution to protect their confidential information, including shredding the information before it is discarded. Click on the following link to learn about the FACTA Disposal Rule http://www.ftc.gov/news-events/press-releases/2005/06/facta-disposal-rule-goes-effect-june-1
As we have said in the past, accountability is paramount in protecting your establishment in case of an alleged data breach. Everything will rest on what you have in place to prove that you have done everything in your power to avoid data breaches, protect privacy, and safeguard the confidential information in your custody. Otherwise, you might face daunting legal issues, fines, destroyed reputation, and even settlement costs. Even public agencies can get drawn into costly legal battles when seemingly benign information such as email addresses get exposed without the expressed consent of the owner. Use a NAID AAA Certified company that can provide assistance in reviewing and preparing written document security and destruction policies and procedures, and assist in staff training.
In addition to preventing information from getting into the wrong hands, let’s consider that all shredded materials are recycled into new paper products. It is kept out of the landfills and has become a reusable resource.
Richard Kinkead, Owner/President
Gloria Kinkead, Owner/Vice President
SelectShred, Inc.
T: (772) 463-3166
