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Document Shredding and Your Legal Requirements – Familiarize Yourself with These

It’s common knowledge among the document destruction industry that many businesses maintain legal obligations which can be fulfilled through professional shredding services. What may not be so familiar, is exactly what bills contain laws that can be met using a professional shredding service. Furthermore, while many shredding companies know of the legal obligations held by businesses, some companies themselves don’t realize that a professional shredding service can help them meet legal requirements with ease and confidence, protecting them against non-compliance fines.

What sort of responsibilities are we referring to? For the most part, these are obligations that deal with the safe and proper handling of confidential matters, or safe disposal of sensitive information. In the United States there are a few different laws that outline how to handle information management to ensure total security and confidentiality. A professional shredding service will guarantee just that.

Let’s take a quick look at some of the most crucial laws you should be aware of:

HIPAA

 The Health Insurance Portability and Accounting Act (HIPAA) was enacted in 1996 with the goal of protecting sensitive patient data, and to maintain and safeguard the confidentiality of patient medical records. Most medical offices are subject to the guidelines outlined in HIPAA, and there are penalties in place for those that fail to properly protect specific patient information.

FERPA

 Applicable to all educational agencies and institutions in the United States that are provided with any sort of funding from the Department of Education, the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) was enacted in 1974 with the intent of managing the handling and access of educational information to public entities. Such entities may refer to potential employers, foreign governments and publicly funded educational institutions.

FACTA

 Enacted in 2005, the Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act (FACTA) applies to essentially all business and individuals in the United States that maintain or possess any consumer information. This information may refer credit card numbers, SSN’s, drivers’ licenses or phone numbers and email addresses. The main purpose behind FACTA largely was to protect against and minimize instances of consumer and identity fraud.

How do these Coincide with Document Shredding?

 Each of these laws discuss secure document shredding in the same manner; failure to properly dispose of medical records, educational records or any consumer information could contribute to significant penalties and fines for those companies affected. Critical to complying with all three of these acts is proper management of confidential information.

A1 DATASHRED offers a range of secure shredding containers and bins that will help your shredding business meet its document destruction needs. We have convenient and handy solutions in all sizes and shapes to assist in keeping your company safe and compliant.

Reach out to our team to learn more about this legislation or if you’d like to schedule shredding.

 

Call 1-888-95-SHRED

January 17, 2019