Author: Crown Information Managment

Data protection is a huge business priority in today’s world. Since the first report of a data breach more than two decades ago, businesses have had to work diligently to protect their customer’s personal information from getting into the wrong hands. There are companies dedicated to providing software to help people and companies keep data safer. There are more laws and regulations in place to ensure that organizations handle paper documents properly, including how long to keep records and how to dispose of them. Professional paper shredding services are a simple yet vital step for safeguarding sensitive information in your organization. If your Orlando company needs help handling the mountains of paper in your office, it’s time to hire professionals.

Why Your Orlando Business Needs Trusted Paper Shredding Services

Hiring a professional document destruction company is simple, but what they provide is invaluable, including:

1. Helping you with regulatory compliance requirements: Some industries have regulatory requirements for protecting sensitive information, including the legal and medical arena. For example, doctor’s offices must follow HIPAA laws to protect patients’ personal information. If they fail to dispose of these documents properly, potential fines and legal consequences threaten their reputation, operational flow, and profitability. Professional shredding companies understand what is required and can help you meet compliance standards.  
2. Aiding you in protecting against data breaches: Discarded documents are a target for identity thieves. They are not shy about dumpster diving because what they find can be very lucrative. Even paper shredded in small office shredders can be put back together like a puzzle and give away precious secrets. A qualified shredding company has commercial shredders that will obliterate and recycle your documents, leaving nothing for thieves to steal.
3. Boosting your team’s productivity: In-house shredding takes up a team member’s valuable time. Instead of assisting customers or handling their other tasks, they are stuck at a desk, slowly feeding small bunches of paper at a time into a tiny shredder. If you want to free up your team’s time, outsource the shredding to a team that is experienced, equipped with the right tools and training, and therefore, faster and more efficient at this job.
4. Helping your company remain environmentally responsible: Many companies don’t think about where their outdated documents go. They may throw all their paper records away instead of recycling them. Even if they put the documents in a recycle bin, there is no guarantee that identity thieves won’t dive in and steal these records. Professional shredders not only destroy your paper documents, but they also recycle them, helping your company to remain environmentally responsible.
5. Saving your company money: Purchasing and maintaining shredding equipment can eat into valuable monetary resources. More importantly, if you fail to shred documents properly, you may feel the pain of the legal issues from a data breach. Utilizing a commercial shredding company eliminates costly mistakes from incomplete shredding and saves you money on equipment purchase and maintenance.

Outsource Your Shredding Responsibilities to the Pros

Don’t let mounds of office records overwhelm you and your team. Prevent the risk of faulty destruction and theft from criminals. The team at Crown Information Management will come to your facility, shred your documents on-site, and give you a Certificate of Destruction. We can do all of this with little disruption to your day. We also provide safe, dry storage options for the records you must keep. Are you ready to ramp up your compliance game? Contact us today to see how we can work together! 

For experienced help with document storage, shredding, media destruction, and records management, call Crown Information Management. You can reach us at 800-979-9545 or contact us online to learn more about our services. Put our team to work for you. We are a SOC1 Level 2 Report,NAID AAA, and PCI Certified company.  

Today’s fast-paced business world demands a high protection standard now more than at any other time in history.  Thieves are ready to take full advantage of dumpsters with poorly shredded or negligently discarded documents holding financial and private information. Mishandling data such as financial statements, legal forms, and other records could lead to a serious breach of trust and compliance issues. It’s vital for companies across various industries in Tampa to do all they can to safeguard the information they are entrusted with. Doctors, lawyers, and financial institutions benefit from using professional shredding companies to maintain confidentiality and meet regulatory requirements. If you are in one of these industries, remember to enlist the services of an information management company for all your document destruction and storage needs.

Secure Document Destruction Services Serve these Top 5 Industries 

Can your company benefit from a professional shredding company? If you are in one of these five industries, the answer is yes:

1. Healthcare: Hospitals, clinics, and private practices handle large volumes of patient records daily. All the information is sensitive personal information, and their patients trust them to protect their data. Maintaining this trust is a must for all parties involved. Properly disposing of medical records is paramount to keeping this trust and remaining compliant with data protection regulations.
2. Legal services: Law firms also work with clients’ private information, including details for their lawsuits and claims. Protecting their confidentiality is key to maintaining clients’ trust. When you need to dispose of legal records, using a professional shredding company is a no-brainer.
3. Financial institutions: Even if you handle the majority of your banking online, financial institutions still handle and maintain a lot of information. Banks, credit unions, and accounting firms are responsible for safeguarding highly valuable information for their individual and business customers. Having all financial records securely shredded by a trusted and certified professional company is vital.
4. Education: Schools and universities house and manage student records and staff information. They need to keep these records safe and follow FERPA requirements. Shredding documents properly protects student/staff privacy and reduces the school’s liability.
5. Real estate and property management: The world of real estate is full of contracts, deeds, and financial information. Realtors, mortgage brokers, and property management companies house information that should never fall into the wrong hands. The best way to handle these documents is to have them professionally shredded.

Take Your Document Destruction and Storage to a New Level with Help from Professionals 

Reduce your risk and vulnerability to the devious methods employed by increasingly savvy criminals. Don’t rely on small office shredders for document destruction and storage. Crown Information Management can help you take things to a new level with our additional services, including shredding, storage, media and product destruction, and document scanning. We understand the need to destroy and store documents securely and work with various industries.  Call us today, and let’s get to work!

For experienced help with shredding, media destruction, records management, and document storage, call Crown Information Management. You can reach us at 800-979-9545 or contact us online to learn more about our services. Put our team to work for you. We are a SOC1,NAID AAA, and PCI Certified company.  

Hire Professionals to Shred Old Digital Assets

We have embraced technology for years, adding new computers regularly that keep tons of information at our fingertips. If you are keeping up with technology, you know purchasing new computers for your home or business is necessary. The question then is, “What should you do with the old computer(s)?” Just like paper documents, getting rid of PCs and laptops should not be taken lightly. Cyber thieves are ready to take any information they can and use it to steal from you. Cleaning out a hard drive takes more than you might think. Even taking a hammer to one and throwing it in the trash doesn’t ensure that a hacker cannot retrieve information from it. Instead of taking chances, it pays to use a professional shredding company’s hard drive destruction services.

5 Tips for Using a Professional Shredding Company

A professional shredding company is an excellent choice for properly destroying your old hard drives. You can rest easier knowing they handle everything, so your hard drives are obliterated. Here are some tips that will make the process simple and straightforward:

1. Have all your files backed up. Get help from staff in your IT department. Ask them to fully back up all files from the hard drive you plan to have shredded. They will want to capture all documents, photos, videos, and other files.
2. Transfer any licensed software. If you have licensed software on the old machine, take time to transfer to your new PC. It may require deactivating it on the old machine and activating it on the new machine.
3. Ask for secure storage containers. Contact the professional shredding company you are working with and ask for some locked storage containers. These are the best ways to keep things safe and prevent unauthorized access.
4. Keep an inventory list of the media. A detailed list of the computers to be destroyed will make things easier to retrieve on destruction day. This list can include the media type with its make, model, serial number, and destruction schedule.
5. Schedule your destruction date. Once you have your equipment ready, it’s time to schedule your appointment to have the hard drives destroyed. Professionals will come to your location, take your hard drives, shred them onsite, and give you a Certificate of Destruction. This secure chain of command ensures your hard drives are destroyed, and you have regulatory proof for your records.

Get Help with Hard Drive Destruction

Crown Information Management has the right equipment and skills to destroy your hard drives so no one can retrieve any information. We will come to your location with our industrial shredder and properly eradicate your old hard drives. We will also give you a Certificate of Destruction. You can sit back and let us handle this, giving you time back in your day and peace of mind. We have many additional services that can assist you in your business, including shredding, storage, media and product destruction, and document scanning. 

For experienced help with media destruction, records management, and document storage, call Crown Information Management. You can reach us at 800-979-9545 or contact us online to learn more about our services. We are a SOC1,NAID AAA, and PCI Certified company.  

Certified Document Destruction and Records Management Company 

Every industry, from legal and medical to finance, education, and beyond, generates sensitive documents and records that must be properly stored and securely destroyed. Many of these industries are bound by strict regulations governing how confidential information is handled and disposed of, with non-compliance leading to severe penalties and reputational harm.

Partnering with a reliable paper shredding company is a smart solution for businesses across all sectors. These professionals understand the unique needs of your industry and go the extra mile to ensure their services support regulatory compliance. The most reputable shredding companies hold certifications that validate their commitment to secure and ethical practices, giving you confidence that your sensitive information is being managed responsibly.

By choosing a certified and trusted shredding partner, you can focus on your business knowing your records are handled securely and in full compliance with legal requirements.

Identity Theft During the Holidays

After the pumpkin pie is eaten and the Thanksgiving leftovers are put away, it’s time for the peppermint mocha to start flowing and the credit cards to come out. It’s the holiday shopping season with bargains galore just waiting for you to enter your card information. Identity thieves also enjoy this time of year as many people make merry, letting down their guard with their finances. Online shopping spikes during this time and credit cards are being swiped more frequently. Thieves know that now is an opportune time to steal your identity. They bank on you slipping up! Taking consistent steps to protect your information can keep you from becoming a victim this holiday season. 

6 Suggestions to Protect Your Identity and Be a Safe Holiday Shopper

You can find great deals on holiday shopping while preventing your personal information from being compromised. Follow these six suggestions from our online security experts:

1. Make ‘caution’ your word of the season while online shopping. One of the riskiest scams you can fall for is online shopping scams. Practice extra caution if you use marketplace shopping sites such as those on social media platforms or other digital marketplaces. You don’t have the same protections as you will with a reputable retailer. Only use traceable payment methods like peer-to-peer payment apps with purchase protections like you find through PayPal or Venmo. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Be aware that scammers will create websites to reel you in with a great bargain, but you never receive the merchandise.
2. Be aware of ‘shoulder’ surfers. These criminals quietly watch you while shopping or using ATMs, computers, and kiosks. They hope you will inadvertently give away personal information, which they will use to steal from you. Protect yourself by being aware of who is around you while using an ATM. Additionally, cover the keypad when you use your PIN at checkout registers.
3. Monitor your accounts closely. It’s easy to get caught up in the holiday shopping excitement and lose track of how much you are spending. It is a good idea to check your accounts daily and compare your receipts with what you see. You can also set up automated notifications for your credit card accounts so you know when a purchase is made.
4. Limit the number of credit cards you use. Juggling multiple credit cards is challenging. Limiting the number of cards you use makes tracking your spending much more manageable. You can also keep a close eye on any ‘strange’ transactions.
5. Avoid shopping on public Wi-Fi. Public networks are typically not secure. Hackers can use unsecured Wi-Fi access and take sensitive information you transmit. It is better to avoid any online shopping or logging into your bank account while using a public Wi-Fi network.

Take Your Identity Theft Protection to a New Level with Help from Professionals 

Enjoy all the holiday baking, shopping, and gathering you want when you take the necessary precautions to protect your identity. Crown Information Management can help you take things to a new level with our additional services, including shredding, storage, media and product destruction, and document scanning. We understand the need to destroy and store documents securely.  Call us today, and let’s get to work!

For experienced help with shredding, media destruction, records management, and document storage, call Crown Information Management. You can reach us at 800-979-9545 or contact us online to learn more about our services. We are a SOC1,NAID AAA, and PCI Certified company.  

Keeping your clients’ and customers’ data secure is paramount in today’s age of cyber thugs. Ransomware and malware attacks are on the rise. There is another area you must keep safeguarded. It includes all the documents you must hold onto for potential audits, employee records, or other sensitive bits of information. You may put many software security systems into place but leave hard copy documents at risk. Criminals are savvier by the day, whether online or on your premises. Timely and professional paper shredding services in Orlando, FL commercial premises can help save the day.  

Gain a Better Understanding and Select Your Shredding Services

We are a data-driven world. Each day, billions of bits of data are exchanged across the globe. This information includes personal data from clients, customers, and businesses. Luckily, we have many options for securely storing digital information. Yet, an abundance of hard copy (aka paper) data is continually generated and needs to be appropriately stored and destroyed. Proper destruction does not mean simply loading a black trash bag and hauling it outside to the dumpster. Appropriate destruction comes in the form of a certified professional shredding company that not only completely obliterates your paper records but also gives you a certificate of destruction to prove it. When you need verifiable proof to withstand an audit, you need to obtain a certificate of destruction.

Understanding What a Certificate of Destruction Signifies 

Most people don’t realize the significance of holding a Certificate of Destruction. Here are three tips to help you understand why it matters:

1. Why secure document shredding is vital in today’s business world. Think about it – your company generates loads of information daily via emails, text messages, and paper. This information includes personal information such as social security numbers and banking information. Tax documents, invoices, medical records, and proprietary information are also collected. If this information falls into the wrong hands, you risk lawsuits and your company’s reputation.
2. There is immense value in a Certificate of Destruction. Obtaining a Certificate of Destruction is significant to your regulatory requirements. It adds an additional safety layer because it proves that your paperwork was destroyed. A certificate is critical for corporations and companies that must adhere to strict record-keeping and safety rules. You will also know you are in regulatory compliance according to GDPR and HIPAA requirements.
3. You can work with a quality shredding partner. You can only get a certificate if you utilize the services of a company certified to destroy your documents. The right company will have robust protocols in place to ensure your records are secure through the entire chain of custody. They usually have secure onsite shredding capabilities, CCTV surveillance, and quality staff. 

Work with a Trusted Partner for Your Secure Shredding Needs

You don’t have to worry whether you are compliant when you use Crown Information Management for your paper shredding needs. We show up at your site, securely transport your records to our trucks, shred the documents into tiny confetti-sized bits, and give you a Certificate of Destruction when we are done. We also provide locked containers to ensure what needs to be destroyed will get destroyed during your scheduled pickup. Our other services provide you with the additional support you require, including storage, hard drive destruction, and indexing. Are you ready to take your information management to a new level? Call us today!

For experienced help with document storage, shredding, media destruction, and records management, call Crown Information Management. You can reach us at 800-979-9545 or contact us online to learn more about our services. Put our team to work for you. We are a SOC1 Report,NAID AAA, and PCI Certified company.  

Save Money and Meet Regulatory Standards with Professional Document Storage

Many businesses face the age-long battle of how to properly and economically store paper documents. Numerous offices fight for space that can easily be freed up with quality storage solutions. The question to be answered is, what makes a “quality storage solution?” Some companies choose public storage units to house their documents. This isn’t the best option, especially if you fall under government rules and regulations regarding handling client and customer information. Storage units do not offer the convenience and safety of a professional document management company. You want a provider that can help ensure you meet your regulatory responsibilities with quality records storage services.

4 Reasons to Use a Professional Storage Company Instead of a Public Storage Unit

When deciding on the best solution to end your storage woes, consider why a records management company emerges as the best option:

1. You save money without using a storage unit. A public storage unit can be costly. Not only do you have the monthly storage fee, but you must invest in storage racks, filing cabinets, and boxes to ensure everything stays well organized. When you run out of space, you have to start the process over. Professional storage companies have the space you require with the additional benefits of digitization, remote retrieval, and enhanced security for reasonable monthly rates.
2. You enjoy more convenience than a storage unit. Your self-storage unit may be down the street, but that doesn’t mean retrieving the documents you require is easy. In fact, it means you must leave your office physically, drive to the unit, dig through boxes, and drive back. If you need files frequently, you will likely get frustrated quickly. A document management system like the one you will find with Crown Information Management gives you the convenience of easy access to digital records. They can be indexed for retrieval online anytime. You can also arrange for boxes of documents to be delivered and picked up as you need. You can even schedule shredding when necessary.
3. Your records are safer from weather events and theft. Self-storage units don’t offer the level of safety that professional storage companies can. If a storm hits, you have little recourse if your records are in a storage unit. A document management company builds its facilities to withstand Mother Nature’s anger to a greater extent. They also keep your records safe as everything is kept under contact top-quality security surveillance.

Use the Pros for Your Record Storage Solutions 

Crown Information Management has the services you need to ensure you have the best options available. Do you have a storage unit that needs to be emptied? We can unload your storage unit for you. You can rest easy knowing we are helping you save money and meet your regulatory responsibilities. Additionally, we understand the importance of having a solid compliance program and can help you establish one for your document retention. We have many additional services to meet your needs, including shredding, storage, media and product destruction, and document scanning. Call us today, and let’s work together with our team of professionals supporting you every step of the way!

For experienced help with document storage, media destruction, and records management, call Crown Information Management. You can reach us at 800-979-9545 or contact us online to learn more about our services. Put our team to work for you. We are a SOC1 Report,NAID AAA, and PCI Certified company.  

Convenient Document Destruction by a Trusted Company

Most people think of purges happening twice a year: once in the spring for spring cleaning and then again at the end of the year. In reality, any time is a good time to clear out your home, desk, or office of the mounds of paper that need to be shredded. In fact, October is a great time because you can go into the holiday season with a clean desk, and the year-end clear-out should go much smoother. If you have specific compliance rules you need to follow, scheduling a document shredding purge will help you meet your compliance requirements. In all cases, partnering with a professional information management company will make the task much easier.