“During the lead-up to the start of a new financial year, businesses are clearing out old . These often contain confidential and sensitive information,” states Anthony Pearlgood, chairman of the Association’s Information Destruction Section.
“Data such as financial reports, customer records, computer hard disks and CDs might all be disposed of during this process. Compliance with the Data Protection Act is imperative for every business. Ensuring that confidential information is disposed of responsibly is an essential part of that compliance.”
The BSIA has produced a Security Waste Audit designed to help businesses assess whether their confidential waste is being disposed of securely. By making sure they have stringent confidential waste disposal measures in place, security managers will not only protect the business but also its customers and suppliers from the risk of identity fraud.
All BSIA Information Destruction Section members must hold ISO 9001:2000 accreditation, and will be inspected to BS 8470 (the British Standard for the destruction of confidential material).
For further information on the work of the BSIA’s Information Destruction Section visit www.bsia.co.uk/shredding The BSIA’s Security Waste Audit is available to download from www.bsia.co.uk/publications
