Think your electronic files are gone after you clear off your desktop’s recycling bin? Think again. When you delete your old electronic files off and clear your recycle bin, it really isn’t gone forever. That is, it may still live in the hard drive.

A common question to ask is, how do I know what needs to be properly destroyed, and what should I make sure I keep for a certain length of time? We’ve included a list that you can always refer to for knowing when (or if) to shred certain documents.

There are certain documents that we recommend you to shred and destroy even if they are not outdated: pay stubs, monthly statements, and anything that contains credit card information. Throwing tax documents away carelessly after the recommended 6 years “because they are outdated” could endanger the security and confidentiality of your business. The sensitive data contained in your tax papers may include information that may be used in identity theft.

These days we all rely on fast and convenient online shopping more than ever before. So what does this mean for our online safety? According to Stats Canada, in 2019 one-fifth of the Canadian business population was impacted by a cyber security incident. While you shouldn’t quit online shopping, it is important you are protecting your private information. 

Did you know shredded paper should not be placed with your other recycling items. We’re sharing best practices and what we do at Merlin to ensure proper recycling.

Why is it essential to destroy or shred technology? With increased storage available on single devices, organizational risk is now higher than ever.

As we reach Phase 3 of the province’s re-opening plan, many individuals are coming back to the office but also receiving the option to work in a hybrid-model, meaning workdays are split between the home and office. With this change in structure, it’s critical for businesses to assess their security policies and the use of confidential documents at remote locations.

We all are guilty of leaving our desk at the office a little messier than we should and just swiping everything into our top drawer when it gets a little too much. With many of our desks moved to our own homes, unfortunately we can’t escape the mess and we might not even have the space we used to.