POPIA - compliant document shredding: outsourced is more cost effective

With the Protection of Personal Information (POPI) Act now mandating that customer information be safely handled and, when no longer needed, securely destroyed, businesses are looking to document shredding to ensure POPIA compliance.

Standard office shredders have long been part of the traditional office setup. However, in these unprecedented times we are living in, and within the increasingly strict legislative parameters within which we are working, regular office shredding does not cut it.

Here's why:

• Good quality, high-volume shredders are a substantial business investment and need regular maintenance. Aside from the inconvenience of an on-the-blink shredder on a scheduled shredding day, there's the cost of maintaining and repairing shredders.
• Unwanted documents that need to be shredded must be securely stored until shredded. In the absence of suitable existing document storage, this must be purchased.
• Documents containing sensitive customer information can only be shredded by authorised personnel - not just any staff member can do the job.
• Shredded documents must be securely disposed of (they cannot be put out with the regular office waste or paper recycling).
• In terms of POPIA compliance, your compliance officer must be present at or sign off each stage of the document destruction process to ensure all necessary legislative requirements have been met.
• Cost and compliance are two major considerations when handling document destruction in-house.

By comparison, outsourcing shredding reduces the personnel time and costs involved, reduces room for error, and ensures 100% POPIA compliance.

For a fraction of the cost, at just R790 per month, 1-2 consoles can be placed in your office, and emptied monthly for safe, secure, compliant document destruction.

To book your console, email info@cleardata.co.za.