If you are a business that wipes hard drives when changing out staff, upgrading systems or implementing e-cycling programs, there is a new product that can permanently wipe out old, unwanted data in an instant. Data Killer is the brainchild of a Japanese company, and it may stand to take the deletion of digital data to the next, badly-needed level.

Those who have ever tried to “zero all data” know how time-consuming it can be. According to the manufacturer, Data Killer will be faster, simpler and more effective. “You can think of it as a ‘data crusher.’ It erases data instantly. If you have data you need to get rid of, Data Killer can do it without taking lots of time,” Michishi Nanayama, the company’s CEO, said of his product.

Of course, one of the most appealing things about this product is that it can protect companies against information theft. However, Orange County shredding companies like Sergeant Shredder offer those companies one better: secure, immediate e-waste destruction at their location, while they watch from the safety of a live video feed.

If they want to attempt to wipe the data off the drive first, using a product like Data Killer, that’s fine. If they don’t, there’s still nothing to worry about because the moment the hard drive is handed over, it’s shredded right in the parking lot while a company representative watches. It’s a win-win that keeps company data private, permanently.

Not that they were ever in the running, though! Instead, the world record for paper shredding is now held by Iron Mountain, who shredded 111,920 lbs. of paper in a single day on April 14.

The event was a collaboration between the Dallas, Texas information management firm and Comerica Bank, designed to raise awareness of identity theft protection and paper product sustainability, both of which are supported by document destruction. San Diego clients of Sergeant Shredder know that shredding security-sensitive papers is the best way to curb identity theft risks, and that recycling paper by shredding it is the only way to be sure the paper you use is environmentally friendly.

Iron Mountain surpassed the previous world record for paper shredding, which was 87,360 lbs., a record set in 2011, by more than 12 tons. An official adjudicator from Guinness World Records attended the event to observe the record-setting attempt, certify the outcome and present Comerica Bank and Iron Mountain with the Guinness World Records certificate.

There was more to this great event, too; participants were encouraged to bring a donation of two nonperishable food items to help support the North Texas Food Bank. Fortunately, the event generated approximately 4,546 lbs. of food and monetary donations equivalent to roughly 13,588 meals that will help feed hungry families, seniors and children in 13 North Texas counties. As a fellow proponent of community service, Sergeant Shredder congratulates their peers at Iron Mountain and aims to continue charitable efforts while performing document destruction in San Diego.

Intelligence sharing may sound like something that “only the government does,” but in this information-hungry society, that’s not necessarily the truth anymore. Los Angeles shredding company Sergeant Shredder offers some examples of how this phenomenon has seeped into the cracks elsewhere.

Companies and even individuals are becoming so interested in knowing every facet of people’s lives that they’re willing to jump through hoops to get that information. Once a government activity finds its way into the private sector, it moves closer to becoming the norm – and in this case, a greater threat to our way of life. Who might want your information? Consider the following examples:

• Companies from which you are seeking employment
• Individuals you seek to rent a home from
• Health insurance companies and life insurance agencies
• Creditors, bill collectors and government agencies you owe money to

If any of these parties have good legal counsel, they can likely find a way to carefully walk the line between obtaining your information legally and illegally. This is what intelligence sharing means in our newer, less secure information climate. Lawmakers differ on cyber security, with Congressional members on both sides making good arguments for and against the Cyber Intelligence Sharing and Protection Act. The Intelligence Authorization Act of 2002, an amendment to the Freedom of Information Act, has also played a key role in the intelligence sharing shift.

To reduce your chances of becoming harmed by any intelligence sharing practices, start by reducing the information you share online. Keep your financial information as private as possible, and shred any documents that could be a potential information compromise (make sure you have the information stored digitally first). For more tips on protecting your privacy, visit this Los Angeles shredding blog.