What Are Paper Shredder Security Levels: A Beginner’s Guide

When it comes to document shredding, the size of the shred matters significantly. Not only does it impact the security of your information, but it may also affect the overall cost of your shredding service. Let’s delve into the different security levels and what they mean.

Different Security Levels: What and Why

As of 2018, there are seven distinct shredder security levels, designated as levels P-1 through P-7. Each level, indicated by the “P” for paper material, corresponds to a specific shredding size. These standards are defined by DIN 66399, outlining the maximum area and width of shredded particles, as well as offering guidance on the most suitable levels for various types of sensitive information.

Here’s a breakdown of the different P-class sizes, ranging from the largest to the smallest:

P-1: Strips ≤ 12 mm (½ inch) wide

P-2: Strips ≤ 6 mm (¼ inch) wide

P-3: Paper ≤ 320 square millimeters of particles

P-4: Cross-cut ≤ 160 square millimeters of particles, width ≤ 6 mm

P-5: Cross-cut ≤ 30 square millimeters of particles, width ≤ 2 mm

P-6: Cross-cut ≤ 10 square millimeters of particles, width ≤ 1 mm

P-7: Cross-cut ≤ 5 square millimeters of particles, width ≤ 1 mm

Understanding Shredder Grades:

P-1 Grade: From the Top

Strip-cut shredding is the hallmark of P-1 shredders, producing strips of paper ≤ ½” wide. While they boast high throughput due to their large size, the resultant shreds can be easily reconstructed, making them better suited for less sensitive information.

P-2 Grade: Slightly Thinner Strips

P-2 shredders produce strips of paper ≤ ¼” wide. Though they offer a slight security boost over P-1 shredders, the size of the shredded paper still poses risks, potentially allowing readable information on a single strip.

P-3 Grade: Taking it to the Next Level

With strips of paper only ≤ 2 mm wide, P-3 shredders offer a balance between speed and security. They are favored for their ability to handle large volumes while maintaining sufficient security levels. These shredders in certain cases may offer a cross cut for ≤ 320 square millimeters of particles.

Shredder Class P-4: Double Protection with Cross-Cut

The transition to cross-cut shredding occurs with P-4 shredders, providing enhanced security. These shredders cut paper twice, resulting in shredded paper with significantly smaller particles, making reconstruction difficult if not realistically impossible.

P-5 Class Shredders: Smaller Cross-Cut

P-5 shredders offer increased security with smaller cross-cut shredded particles, although not meeting NSA guidelines for classified information destruction. Ideal for those prioritizing security over speed.

P-6 Class Shredder: More Secure but Less Common

P-6 shredders produce particles ≤ 10 square millimeters, falling into an intermediate category similar to P-5 shredders. While suitable for security-conscious organizations, they may struggle with large document volumes.

Shredder Class P-7: The Pinnacle of Protection

P-7 shredders offer the highest level of security, with particles ≤ 5 square millimeters, meeting NSA requirements for shredding classified information. However, they are slower in processing, averaging only 10 sheets per pass.

Understanding these shredder security levels allows you to make informed decisions regarding the protection of your sensitive information, balancing security needs with operational efficiency.

We hope this blog post was informative. If you need any further information or suggestions in your shopping journey, please feel free to WhatsApp us or send us an email at support@stok.international. We look forward to hearing from you!