Spaghetti or Confetti
09.03.2007 - Selecting a Crosscut Shredder is the Wisest Choice, advise HSM
If you are purchasing a shredding machine, then it is not a straightforward decision. As well as considering the bin capacity, number of sheets that can be shredded at a time, the noise level and the physical size of the machine to fit your office or home, an essential consideration is the security level. A simple description of this is the size of strip or particle that the papers are shredded into, hence spaghetti or confetti.
There are six different security levels, five of which are defined by the German DIN standard as per the table below. The more sensitive the documents that are being shredded, the higher level of
security required. A guide is provided in the following table:
(Please see separate file and insert here)
security required. A guide is provided in the following table:
(Please see separate file and insert here)
| HS Level 6 |
Essentially, a shredder that only produces strips of paper is not so secure and so represents a security risk. It is not unknown for the strips to be stuck back together to reconstitute an important document or to obtain information that may be used for fraudulent purposes. Indeed, there is even rumour of computer programmes having been written for this purpose.
As people have become more educated in their purchase of a shredder, most are opting for a crosscut machine. They appreciate that the small particles generated will be much more difficult or nigh on impossible, to re-construct. Indeed, the highest level six machines actually shred a single sheet of A4 paper into 15,000 particles.
Another consideration is the durability of the cutting blades / rollers. Machines that utilise a disc arrangement may not last, especially if they are often being asked to shred several sheets of paper at a time. The cut then becomes more of a perforation, again allowing sensitive papers to be re-constituted. Hardened steel rollers, cut from a single block of metal, as used in HSM branded machines, are a much more reliable option.
For a free impartial guide to the disposal of confidential and recyclable waste, including full details of the considerations to make when purchasing a shredding machine, please contact HSM on 01543 272480 or send an email to info@hsmuk.co.uk. Alternatively, to see a copy of the guide online and to review the complete HSM range, please go to www.hsmuk.co.uk.
For further press information please contact Martyn Billing of Calibre Marketing Tel/Fax: 01323 469320 Mobile: 07721 058409 Email: martyn@calibremarketing.co.uk
