According to the Credit Industry Fraud Avoidance System organisation, there were over 42,000 incidents of identity fraud in 2002, nearly double the number reported in the previous year.
One way of combating this rise is for businesses and individuals to ensure that confidential information is destroyed in a secure manner, such that it doesn't end up in the hands of the fraudsters.

The BSIA's Information Destruction Section works to raise awareness of how important it is for businesses to destroy confidential information in a secure way. We have produced the first Code of Practice covering this area which ensures compliance with the terms and conditions of the Data Protection Act 1998, and stresses the need for full audit trails.

The Code is currently being developed into a Publicly Available Specification (PAS) by the British Standards Institution – the first step on its approval path to becoming a fully-fledged British Standard.

Ultimately, the goal would be to develop this document into a European Standard. That would represent a significant benchmark for the sector, and reassure customers that the security company tasked with protecting its identity/corporate reputation is suitably qualified to do the job.

For more information, take a look at: www.bsia.co.uk/bsia_destruct.taf

Source

SMT

Postscript

Lloyd Williams is the new chairman of the British Security Industry Association's Information Destruction Section, and managing director of Shredall EM Ltd