Security Self-Assessment
With the amount of information a business uses in day-to-day activities, it can be easy for confidential data to fall in the wrong hands. Between information stored on company computers, data printed on paper and stored away in files, and all of the other places confidential data can be found, it’s critical your business takes an inward look at your security. PROSHRED® of Houston has put together a FREE Security Self-Assessment. Get started!
Here are Some Questions to Consider About Your Company’s Security:
- Are you aware of state and federal privacy laws that relate to your business?
- Are you concerned about trade secrets or corporate espionage?
- Who in your office is responsible for maintaining compliance?
- Who is trained for an information breach?
- Have your employees been trained on privacy legislation?
No matter what industry your business falls under, there are rules and regulations that affect how your company stores and discards its data. Assigning someone to enforce compliance, take charge in case an information breach does occur, and train employees on proper security practices is critical. If you fail to comply to these privacy laws, you could face large fines and other penalties or unrepairable harm to your company.
What Does Your Company’s Shredding Policy Look Like?
- Does your office shred confidential documents?
- If documents are shredded, how is destroyed material disposed?
- What are you currently shredding?
- Does your organization have a policy in place to address the storage and destruction of confidential data? If so:
-Is it a written policy?
-Who is accountable for policing it?
-Is there a process for storage devices like discs, drives, etc?
-Who is responsible for shredding documents?
-Are documents shredded onsite or offsite?
Shredding confidential documents is often the easiest and most secure way to meet privacy laws. However, there are many advantages over using a professional paper shredding company versus an in-office shredder. While paper shredders can shred records and files, paper shredding companies can destroy documents, R&D files, sales records, legal files, leases/contracts, medical records, purchasing records, tapes, X-Rays, disks/hard drives, and more. Additionally, paper shredding companies are more efficient, affordable, and recycle the shredded material after it is destroyed. Creating a specific, detailed data destruction policy will benefit your business.
How Does Your Company Handle Confidential Data?
- Do you separate confidential and non-confidential information?
- Who decides what is confidential and non-confidential?
- Are documents saved in open, unsecured areas of the office?
- Do visitors walk through the office unescorted?
- Is there a documented chain of custody (Signed Certificate of Destruction) to establish process patterns and for audit purposes?
- Would you worry if any trash or recycling went public?
Taking a look at how your business handles confidential data at least once a year can help you find possible loopholes in your system. Shredding all information, whether confidential or not prevents security risks. Factors such as storing documents in open areas, allowing unescorted visitors in the office, and disposing of papers in the trash or standard recycling workflows can all harm your company’s brand, reputation, and image.
Is There Room for Errors in Your Company’s Security?
- Do any employees work remotely?
- Are documents stored offsite?
- Does your organization archive using imaging, scanning, etc?
- Do you have signage regarding information-security?
- Do all departments have access to containers?
Other factors can pose a threat to your company’s security, including: employees who travel or work at home, storing documents offsite, and more. Implementing certain practices, such as document scanning, publishing signs with information-security instructions, and making sure every department in your office has access to a shredding container can be a great help.
What Does the Relationship with Your Current Shredding Contractor Look Like?
- Do you do semi-annual process reviews with your shredding contractor to ensure your process addresses current risk levels?
- Is your shredding contractor certified by ISO for quality and satisfaction standards, and by NAID AAA for compliance?
- Can your current provider train on document security risks?
- Can you demonstrate that you have taken reasonable actions to protect private information?
- On a scale of 1 to 10, how comfortable are you that your information-security processes are compliant and sufficient?
After completing your self-evaluation, you may have realized you need help with your company’s information security. Your current shredding contractor should be able to provide assistance. However, if you do not feel 100% certain you are handling confidential data correctly, you may want to switch to PROSHRED® of Houston.
Our team is ISO and NAID AAA certified for our dedication to quality, satisfaction standards and compliance. We provide semi-annual process reviews to make sure your shredding policy is performing its best. Even more, we offer training on document security risks so your whole office will understand how to correctly store and discard confidential data.
Get started! Contact PROSHRED® of Houston today and receive a comprehensive security and compliance assessment. Call today! (832) 947-5700
Contact us today for all of your electronic recycling needs.
Get started! Contact PROSHRED® of Houston today and receive a comprehensive security and compliance assessment. Call today! (832) 947-5700
What People Are Saying About PROSHRED®
I never even knew such a place existed! Thank you for giving us the ease of knowing that all of our documents have been destroyed... read moreI never even knew such a place existed! Thank you for giving us the ease of knowing that all of our documents have been destroyed in one easy step!
The driver was also great! He gave me plenty of time notice; unfortunately I had just left to run an errand and was sitting in traffic and he kindly waited on me. When I got there he was fast, efficient and very nice! Thank you for freeing up space in our office!! read lessTammy Moss11/21/2018Pro Shred was great! It was easy to schedule the appointment and it took about 5 minutes to get our boxes shredded! We will definitely... read morePro Shred was great! It was easy to schedule the appointment and it took about 5 minutes to get our boxes shredded! We will definitely use them again. read less
Kortni Carnahan3/04/2019Robert and Phillip are fantastic! Quick and easy, one stop shopping! Thank you PROSHRED!
Nicholas Stermon10/28/2018Robert and Phil were here on time, very courteous, and of course Proshredas always is a great dependable company to do business with.This is... read moreRobert and Phil were here on time, very courteous, and of course Proshredas always is a great dependable company to do business with.This is the third year I have used them and will continue to do so. read less
Labita Boddie10/28/2018Great service. Friendly, helpful staff. Highly recommended.
Dawn4/12/2017Prompt, thorough, easy to my door service. Value priced. Cool truck -- powerful shredder. Unqualified recommendation for secure shredding of confidential file material. ... read morePrompt, thorough, easy to my door service. Value priced. Cool truck -- powerful shredder. Unqualified recommendation for secure shredding of confidential file material. Thank you PROSHRED. read less
David2/11/2018The gentleman was very professional and did an awesome job within a few minutes. You can’t beat the service. They come to your home and... read moreThe gentleman was very professional and did an awesome job within a few minutes. You can’t beat the service. They come to your home and shred. I had at least 5 jumbo bins plus at least 8 garbage bags full. You can see it shredding from the camera on the truck. It is worthy every penny. When he is done you get your certificate and receipt the next day. It’s very reasonable compared to having to do it yourself and go through many shredders and time. I highly recommend them to all my family and friends. read less
Terry2/13/2018Love the service...great timing...very professional... worked with Terry in several occasions and he is just so nice.
Sandra10/28/2019Travis was great. Friendly, professional and efficient. I would recommend Pro Shred!
Sandra Boyle12/25/2018Great Job!!
Laura Rios10/28/2018I have heard a lot about this company. I believe they will go very far, especially since they have Brock as their CEO,... read moreI have heard a lot about this company. I believe they will go very far, especially since they have Brock as their CEO, way to go read less
Jeanette8/15/2017We had Travis come in today to do some shredding and He was very polite, friendly, and very fast at his job. In and out... read moreWe had Travis come in today to do some shredding and He was very polite, friendly, and very fast at his job. In and out in no time and everything was done. It took less than 30 minutes to get it completely done. Really enjoyed this fast and friendly service, they’re scheduling process is super simple and they’re all very friendly. Would highly recommend them.He was very polite, friendly, and very fast at his job. In and out in no time and everything was done. It took less than 30 minutes to get it completely done. Really enjoyed this fast and friendly service, they’re scheduling process is super simple and they’re all very friendly. Would highly recommend them. read less
Jana Reed10/28/2018Pro Shred was great! It was easy to schedule the appointment and it took about 5 minutes to get our boxes shredded! We will definitely... read morePro Shred was great! It was easy to schedule the appointment and it took about 5 minutes to get our boxes shredded! We will definitely use them again. read less
Kortni Carnahan10/28/2019Terry showed up and was super efficient and courteous! He moved quickly through our documents and Kept me updated to the container count. ... read moreTerry showed up and was super efficient and courteous! He moved quickly through our documents and Kept me updated to the container count. I received my invoice and certificate of destruction by email before he left. I will definitely use Proshred in the future! read less
KJ Tui10/28/2019Proshred is always ontime, professional, and charge a very reasonable fee. I’ve used another service once and there is no comparison with Proshred. Proshred is... read moreProshred is always ontime, professional, and charge a very reasonable fee. I’ve used another service once and there is no comparison with Proshred. Proshred is the best! read less
Dora Thompson1/27/2019
