What is the proper method for destroying records to avoid compromise?

The proper method for destroying records to avoid compromise involves ensuring that any personal data is unrecognizable and beyond reconstruction. This means using a method that effectively eliminates the possibility of recovery or reconstruction of sensitive information.

Destruction methods could include shredding physical documents into tiny pieces, securely wiping digital content to overwrite the data completely, or using data destruction services that guarantee irreversible deletion. The primary goal is to guarantee that the information cannot be accessed or reconstructed by any means, which is essential for maintaining confidentiality and safeguarding sensitive personal or organizational data.

Other options involve varying levels of handling and storage rather than outright destruction of records. For instance, staging containers or shipping to records centers may be part of a management protocol but do not directly address the essential requirement of permanently removing sensitive information from existence. Similarly, altering data does not ensure that it cannot be reconstructed to retrieve sensitive information.