Why Free Hard Drive Shredding is a Bad Idea

In the pursuit of cost-cutting measures within your business, it is important to proceed carefully, especially when considering “free” services. More often than not, choosing a cost-free solution leads to poor or incomplete results, often burdened with hidden catches or unmet expectations.

The adage, “You get what you pay for,” holds especially true when dealing with the critical process of hard drive shredding. While the idea of free services might be tempting, there are compelling reasons why it’s a bad idea, particularly for businesses handling private digital information.

1. Security Concerns:

When it comes to information that is digitally generated, stored, or shared, legal requirements mandate strict protection measures. Even with vigilant monitoring of staff protocols, choosing free hard drive shredding services exposes your sensitive information to potential misuse. Despite relinquishing control of your private information, you remain fully responsible for any repercussions, including fines, legal charges, and damage to your reputation. When you invest in the services of a reputable shredding company, even at a nominal cost, the security of your protected information is ensured.

2. Chain of Custody Compliance:

To comply with state and federal data privacy laws, private information must be tracked and be handled within a secure chain of custody from creation to destruction. Can a free hard drive shredding service maintain the integrity of this information through a complete chain of custody? Not likely. Opting for a professional hard drive shredding service guarantees the maintenance of a proper paper trail.

3. Certificate of Destruction:

Crucial for proving the proper destruction of hard drives containing sensitive information, a Certificate of Destruction is often unavailable with free shredding services. This document serves as vital proof in case of audits or legal actions related to leaked information. The affordability of professional hard drive shredding, coupled with the assurance of a Certificate of Destruction, outweighs the risks associated with free alternatives.

4. Recycling Responsibility:

In 2014, Americans discarded an estimated 16 billion pounds of e-waste (circuit boards, transistors, and hard drives), contributing significantly to landfill waste. Properly recycling hard drives is crucial for environmental protection. Free hard drive shredding services may lack the inclination or capacity to recycle drives, making it essential to entrust hard drive recycling to a reputable shredding company committed to environmentally-responsible practices.

Wiggins Shredding offers affordable hard drive shredding services, ensuring compliance with data privacy laws. We not only shred your hard drives securely, but also recycle all shredded materials. Upon completion, we provide you with a Certificate of Destruction for your peace of mind. For more information or to book your shredding service, simply call us at 610-692-TEAR (8327) or complete the form on this page. Our friendly experts are standing by to assist you with the secure destruction of your hard drives.