America is facing a security crisis of daunting proportions, but surprisingly, the biggest threat to confidential information is not digital. Most identity theft involves documents, identification, secure files that are illegally shared or not protected properly, and free document shredding services around the country are working to combat this increasingly common breach in their customers’ security systems.

Secure shredding services are mandatory in the health care field: patients’ right to privacy is covered extensively by state and federal laws that require sensitive documents to be destroyed after a period of time. Those old dental records? Most likely the file has been destroyed per state and federal regulations.

Free document shredding services work with their clients to combat potential “information flight,” and secure document storage continues to top the list of upgrades for most small business owners. Although many companies store their clients’ files and information in digital format, the risk of on- or off-site security breaches does drive many companies to paper-based storage of confidential information.

In fact, despite major efforts to convert paper files to digital ones, Americans still burn through more than 80 million tons of paper every year. Most client information remains on paper where, despite security precautions, confidential files remain accessible without a password.

Any employee can open a client data file that is located in an actual folder or envelope and has the potential to remove said data from the premises, opening a business to potential repercussions once the theft is discovered. The FBI reported recently that information theft does cost businesses across the country over $20 billion every year.

Free document shredding services may work with a business to determine what documents can be destroyed and what may need to be converted into a digital file that is locked digitally from employees or outside identity thieves who should not have access to that information. With digital security breaches on the rise, companies of every size must work harder to secure confidential client information.