Steps to Remain Secure and Compliant With Hybrid Employees

The shift to hybrid working, which has seen millions of people mix office hours with time at home, has added to the security and confidentiality issues for many companies.

The UK has one of the highest levels of home working in Europe, according to recent research. Here employees work from home for 1.5 days per week on average. The average in Germany is 1.0 days, while in France and Italy, it is just 0.6 and 0.7 days per week.

This shift has created new challenges for businesses when it comes to data security and compliance. With employees working from home, it can be difficult to keep track of sensitive documents and ensure that they are properly disposed of.

ShredPro is a professional paper shredding company that offers secure, efficient and cost-effective shredding and recycling services all year round, wherever your staff are operating.

We ensure customers achieve the highest standards in the industry to ensure maximum protection of your confidential information while helping the planet, recycling your shredding to reduce the demand for natural resources.

How we help

ShredPro is a professional paper shredding company that offers secure, efficient, and cost-effective shredding and recycling services for a range of customers.

We ensure customers achieve the highest standards in the industry to ensure maximum protection of your confidential information while helping the planet, recycling your shredding to reduce the demand for natural resources.

Why it matters

The Information Commissioner’s Office, which oversees the enforcement of GDPR, has the powers to enforce fines for breaches. The higher maximum amount for offences is £17.5 million or 4% of the total annual worldwide turnover in the preceding financial year, whichever is higher.

The ICO says:

“You must ensure that you have appropriate security measures in place to protect the personal data you hold.”

The ICO adds:

“Deleting records that you no longer need, or are not proportionate to retain any longer, is an essential part of a good records management system.”

Practical steps you can take

Here are some steps that businesses can consider taking to remain secure and compliant in a hybrid work world:

1. Create a data security policy: This policy should outline the company’s procedures for handling sensitive data, both in the office and at home. The policy should also include guidelines for employees on how to protect data when working off-site and at home.
2. Train employees on data security: Employees should be trained on the company’s data security policies and procedures. This training should include information on how to protect their devices and data, as well as how to report security incidents.
3. Promote a positive work environment: Complying with data regulations is not about scaring colleagues. Encourage them to take responsibility in a supportive culture where people are encouraged, not frightened.
4. Provide cabinets for staff with most confidential documents: Our secure cabinets can be placed in employees’ homes if they hold documents which contain high amounts of sensitive information. We can book secure shredding visits, removing the documents and safely shredding them to accredited levels with certificates of destruction.
5. Regularly shred documents: All sensitive documents should be shredded before they are discarded. This includes documents that are no longer needed, as well as documents that have been marked as “confidential” or “privileged.”
6. Book a one-off shred service: When employees are in the office, by bringing old documents from home to destroy you can prevent an influx of documents piling up and the data breach risks that come with this by booking a ShredPro one-time shred service. We will visit to remove and safely shred all the documentation.
7. Implement strong password controls: Employees should be required to use strong online passwords for all of their devices and accounts. Passwords should be at least 12 characters long and include a mix of upper and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols.
8. Encrypt sensitive data: Sensitive data, such as financial information and customer records, should be encrypted before it is stored or transmitted. Encryption makes it difficult for unauthorised individuals to access digital data even if they are able to obtain it.

By following these steps, businesses can help to protect their data and remain compliant in a hybrid work world.

Guarantee

We offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee on all of our paper shredding services. We are confident that you will be happy with our services.

Customer Testimonial

“ShredPro have provided a reliable and professional shredding service, supplying neat containers that complement the existing office furniture. Monthly collections are carried out by friendly professional staff who collect and destroy all documents on site erasing any concerns we had regarding security. ShredPro provide a very proficient service and we look forward to continuing our partnership with them.”
Becki Morrow
BBC ALBA Broadcasting Corporation