Quit stockpiling and spring clean those records

HOW long should we keep our company records?  Well how long is a piece of string?

Many businesses find themselves with an abundance of documents, both hard copies and electronically stored, with no idea when they should get rid of them.

Offices become cluttered with paper, files, computers and CDs with no end in sight.

But there is light at the end of the chaotic tunnel.

The British Security Industry Association (BSIA) guidelines suggest businesses should put in place a records management system to dispose of data without risk of loss.

Some documents, like company registers need to be kept for the lifetime of the organisation, whereas VAT personnel records should be properly disposed of seven years after termination of employment.

This is why it is important to take the time to make staff aware what can be retained and for how long.  Educating employees on data loss prevention will go a long way in saving the organization money and time.

The BSIA recommend putting a policy in place for secure shredding and recycling for company records, and obtaining an approved service provider.

There are no more excuses for stockpiling those old PC’s.  It’s time to quit hoarding and spring clean your records.  Just remember, get them all professionally shredded, safely file the Certificate of Destruction and win back all that space.