When a data breach occurs, personal information such as Social Security numbers, addresses, and credit card numbers are often stolen by cybercriminals. This can lead to identity theft, which can ruin your credit score and cause you to lose money. In addition, data breaches can also result in fraud, which is when someone uses your personal information to commit a crime. If you’re a business owner, a data breach can also mean the loss of customers and money.
The Devastating Effects Of Data Breaches
The effects of data breaches don’t just impact the individual victims; they can also hurt the economy as a whole. A study by the Ponemon Institute found that the average cost of a data breach is $3.86 million. When you multiply this by the number of data breaches each year, it’s easy to see how this can add to significant losses for businesses and the economy.
In addition to the financial repercussions, data breaches can also cause severe damage to people’s reputations. For example, in 2013, Target Corporation suffered a significant data breach that affected millions of customers. As a result of this breach, Target’s stock prices plummeted, and the company was forced to spend millions of dollars on compensating customers who had their personal information stolen.
Data breaches can have devastating consequences for both individuals and businesses. It’s essential to be aware of these risks and to protect yourself from data breaches. One way to do this is properly shredding sensitive documents before disposing of them.
How To Properly Shred Sensitive Data
When it comes to shredding sensitive data, there are a few things you need to keep in mind. First, it’s crucial to choose a reputable shredding company. Many companies offer document destruction services, but not all are reliable. Make sure you research and choose a company with a good reputation and certification by the National Association for Information Destruction (NAID).
Second, you must ensure that the company uses secure shredding methods. Cybercriminals can easily compromise shredding machines that use blades, so choosing a company that uses cross-cut or micro-cut shredding technology is essential. This type of technology creates smaller pieces of paper that are much more difficult to reconstruct.
Finally, you need to make sure that your confidential documents are destroyed. Some companies simply dump documents into a bin outside so anyone can access them. Make sure you ask the company how they dispose of shredded paper and whether or not it’s incinerated or recycled.
Now Is The Time To Start Protecting Your Privacy
If you’re concerned about the security of your personal information, it’s essential to take steps to protect yourself. One way to do this is properly shredding sensitive documents before disposing of them. Document Destruction of Virginia can help you do this safely and securely. We offer secure shredding services that use cross-cut or micro-cut technology to create smaller pieces of paper that are much more difficult to reconstruct. In addition, we dispose of shredded paper in a manner that ensures its safety and confidentiality. Contact us today for more information about our secure shredding services.