What are DIN Standard Security Levels?

Security levels that are recognised in Europe are known as DIN Standard (also referred to as DIN 32757-1 standard). DIN Standard security levels are recognised worldwide and influence security around paper based information.

What level of security do you need in a paper shredder?

Paper shredders come in several different security levels and it can be confusing. With the majority of shredder manufacturers using the DIN security system to define their shredders security level, when deciding on a model it can be helpful to use the Din Security levels as a guide. There are 6 levels currently available with level 6 being the most secure and level 1 providing the least security.

Paper shredders with Security Levels 1-2
On the low end of security, shredders at this level would not generally be considered acceptable to protect your information. It’s just not secure enough to shred an A4 page into around 40 pieces and rely on this to protect your information.

Paper shredders with Security Levels 3-4
With paper being shredded multidirectional, this level of shredder generally provides destruction that is beyond reconstruction and recognition. Many Government departments, agencies and corporate office environments are using this level of paper shredder to protect their critical information.

Paper shredders with Security Levels 5-6
High security and top secret! This range provides a level of security that is generally a requirement within many Federal Governments, Defence Forces and Intelligence agencies to protect sensitive documents. Paper is shredded multidirectional in to very small pieces where not even a part of a character is easily recognised. Beyond forensic recovery, these paper shredders are also often referred to as super micro cut.

SCEC Endorsed & SEG Tested Paper Shredders

Australian Federal Government Departments and Agencies mostly use Security Level 4 and 5, "Class B and Class A" document shredders. It is important with this level of security that not any brand of paper shredder is used. Only SEG tested and SCEC Endorsed document paper shredders, optical media shredders and destructors used to destroy CD, DVD & High Density Blu-ray discs that are SEG Tested or SCEC Endorsed can be commissioned and approved for use within the Australian Federal Government Departments and Agencies office environments.

Having been thoroughly examined and tested, SEG and SCEC Endorsed Paper & Optical Media Shredders have gained SEG, SCEC and DSM compliance and have been approved by ASIO T4 protective security for government use.

Any Australian Government Office and Contractor to the Australian Federal Government who has obligations to comply by correctly destroying information are encouraged to utilise the resources of the SEG "Security Equipment Guide" or SEC - “Security Equipment Catalogue” which is available from ASIO T4 Protective Security. The SEG "Security Equipment Guide" and "Security Equipment Catalogue" is available via online access to select government and interdepartmental authorities, constantly being updated in real time. Agencies should refer to the SEG "Security Equipment Guide" or SEC "Security Equipment Catalogue" when selecting this physical security destruction equipment.

SCEC – Security Construction and Equipment Committee

Being a standing interdepartmental committee, the SCEC – The Security Construction and Equipment Committee are responsible for the evaluation, testing and endorsement of security equipment that will be used by Australian Government Departments and Agencies. Class A and Class B high security paper and optical shredders, degausers and destructors for varying office use applications are included under this category.

SCEC Approved Bulk Shredding & Document Destruction

When large volumes of data destruction is required, outsourcing to SCEC Approved Document Destruction Contractors is a much more practical option. In the majority of cases, use of an ASIO-endorsed destruction company for all levels of classified information up to SECRET or TOP SECRET when directly supervised by an agency officer can be acceptable.