13 Jan 26 Tips for 2026: Start the Year Secure With On-Site Confidential Shredding
A new year is the ideal time to reset your habits, reduce clutter, and protect sensitive information. Whether you’re managing a business or organizing your home, these 26 practical tips will help you stay secure, compliant, and organized throughout 2026.
1. Set a shredding schedule
Decide early if monthly, quarterly, or annual shredding makes the most sense for your needs so documents never pile up.
2. Put shredding on your calendar
Treat document destruction like any other priority task by scheduling it ahead of time.
3. Review what you kept last year
Take a look at what you saved in 2025 and ask if it still needs to exist in 2026.
4. Create a retention plan
Knowing what to keep and what to shred helps prevent over-storage and unnecessary risk.
5. Sort paperwork as it comes in
Handling mail and documents daily keeps sensitive information from sitting around.
6. Designate a “to-shred” area
A clearly marked bin or box makes secure disposal simple and consistent.
7. Assign shredding responsibility
Businesses should make shredding part of someone’s defined role to avoid gaps.
8. Don’t save paper “just in case”
If you don’t legally or operationally need it, it’s safer to shred it.
9. Shred outdated tax records
Once you’ve passed the required retention period, old tax documents should be destroyed securely.
10. Eliminate expired client files
Old contracts, applications, and forms can become liabilities if stored too long.
11. Shred envelopes, too
Mail often contains names, account numbers, and addresses that identity thieves can use.
12. Review financial statements regularly
Keep what’s current and shred the rest to minimize exposure.
13. Clear out old hard drives
Digital media contains just as much sensitive data as paper and requires proper destruction.
14. Back up before you destroy
Always secure essential files before shredding documents or media.
15. Destroy digital media properly
Throwing devices in the trash is never enough to protect data.
16. Pair paper and digital cleanouts
Doing both together creates a more complete security reset.
17. Train staff on data handling
Employees should understand how to manage confidential information responsibly.
18. Use locked bins when possible
Controlled collection points reduce the chance of unauthorized access.
19. Identify problem areas
Printers, reception desks, and storage rooms are common document pile-up zones.
20. Conduct quarterly reviews
Regular check-ins keep bad habits from creeping back in.
21. Know your industry requirements
Different industries have different rules around document retention and destruction.
22. Keep Certificates of Destruction
Proof of secure shredding matters for compliance and peace of mind.
23. Document your shredding process
Clear procedures help during audits and internal reviews.
24. Stay updated on regulations
Privacy and data laws evolve, so staying informed protects your organization.
25. Set privacy goals for the year
Small goals like “less paper storage” or “fewer boxes per purge” add up.
26. Partner with On-Site Confidential Shredding
Mobile, on-site shredding ensures documents are destroyed securely, right at your location, with no guesswork.
Why On-Site Confidential Shredding
On-Site Confidential Shredding in HUDSON VALLEY, ROCKLAND COUNTY, BERGEN COUNTY, NEW YORK, NEW JERSEY and CONNECTICUT brings secure, mobile shredding directly to your home or business. You can watch documents being destroyed on-site and receive a Certificate of Destruction, ensuring your information is handled safely and responsibly.
For more guidance on document security and retention, visit: Federal Trade Commission – Identity Theft Prevention