Does Your Business Destroy These Once They’re Expired?
ID cards are instrumental for any major business, especially ones that are housed in large buildings with multiple companies. ID cards allow business owners, building management and building security to track comings and goings, which doors are opened, and at what time.
Further, they allow business owners to restrict access to the building itself or to certain rooms or areas within the building based on an employee’s position. For example, IT team members will undoubtedly require regular entry to the server room, and the HR team will need access to the room or location in which employee paperwork is stored. But it’s unlikely that these two positions would intersect or require access to the same spaces, so an ID card can effectively ensure that personnel go only where they need to go.
Generally speaking, ID cards feature an employee’s name, their photo, their position, and the company logo. Card technology varies based on business preference and budget, but there are three main types:
- Scannable Cards: These are one of the cheaper, less secure ID systems. Here, business owners can generate a QR code to print onto the ID card.
- Swipe Cards: Every swipe card has a magnetic strip, but know that these cards can easily be reprogrammed or rewritten.
- RFID Cards (Radio Frequency Identification): These cards offer contactless entry as they operate on radio frequency.
The importance of ID cards as a real-time security feature is fairly clear. However, many are unaware of the consequence of improperly destroying ID cards once they’re no longer valid, useable, or rewriteable, and why their secure destruction (by a veteran team like Absolute Destruction) is paramount.
Companies like this can help you destroy lesser-considered security vulnerabilities — like ID cards (in addition to paper and data destruction) — in a quick, efficient, and secure manner and issue a Certificate of Destruction upon completion.
Effectively shredding ID cards is essential for a robust data security policy. Here’s why.
Secure ID Destruction Protects the Business and Its Employees
Once a team member has left the company, retrieving their card on their last day to clear or rewrite it is crucial. In instances when a card cannot be reprogrammed, or if it’s simply malfunctioning, then secure destruction is key.
Why? Should an ID card fall into the wrong hands, either intentionally or accidentally, it could help an individual illicitly gain access to the building after business hours, or during hours for larger companies wherein people can maneuver somewhat anonymously.
Once inside, and with free reign, these perpetrators could view, steal, or manipulate business files.To name just a few potential scenarios, said individual could use the information to commit identity theft (using an employee’s information), hold corporate files or data ransom, take information to a business rival, delete or tamper with vital files, or move money from bank accounts.
The Securest Destruction Option
One would be remiss to assume that painstakingly cutting cards into smaller pieces is sufficient protection. Magnetic stripe and RFID cards can still function despite your best efforts with a pair of scissors. For these reasons, ID cards should be shredded professionally.
The Bottom Line
By implementing heightened security measures — like shredding ID cards with an expert destruction company — you’re protecting employees from identity theft and your business from a security breach. Both circumstances are detrimental to your business financially and from a PR perspective. This extra step ensures everyone’s safety and your good reputation remains intact.