If you are looking to buy an industrial paper shredder, you may not be sure what DIN security level you need to shred paper documents.
So we thought we’d give you a quick guide to DIN security levels (DIN 32757-1) to help you make the right choice.
Level 1 GENERAL – LOW SECURITY (DIN 1)
Level 1 is typically found on home shredders you might use on a daily basis and offers a basic level of shredding security. Paper shredders at this level will typically shred paper into long strips. To give you an idea, if you were to shred one sheet of A4 paper, it would turn into about 40 shredded parts.
DIN level 1 paper shredders will shred documents into pieces approximately 12mm (1/2″) wide. DIN level 1 paper shredders are perfect for shredding documents such as self-addressed envelopes, but may not be large enough. insurance to shred bank statements or personal documents, information, etc.
Level 2 INTERNAL – Low to Medium Security (DIN 2)
DIN 2 shredders also shred paper documents into strips, but they are slightly narrower than DIN level 1 shredders. As a rough guide, one sheet of A4 will shred into approximately 100 shreds. The dimensions of the shredder cutouts are 6mm (1/4″), perfect for home or small office use.
Level 3 CONFIDENTIAL – Medium Security (DIN 3)
DIN 3 industrial paper shredders will shred paper documents into very narrow strips of less than 2mm. Some DIN 3 industrial shredders have cross-cut blades that shred paper into very small pieces, almost like confetti.
The great thing about industrial cross-cut shredders is that not only will they do a very good job of shredding paper documents, but also the shredded paper is much easier to condense, so you won’t have to empty it as much as a standard shred. .
DIN 3 rated industrial shredders are more than capable of shredding sensitive documents including bank statements, utility bills, personal or banking details.
Level 4 SECRET – Medium to high security (DIN 4)
Industrial shredders with DIN 4 have a cross-cutting action. They will shred documents into roughly 2x15mm pieces, which is very small. This DIN level 4 can be used to shred almost any type of document to a very high standard. Its use is recommended to destroy confidential documents used by companies such as law firms or banks, or anyone who does not want the information to be obtained by a third party.
Level 5 TOP SECRET – High Security (DIN 5)
DIN 5 rated industrial shredders offer one of the best cross-sectional particle sizes available at 0.8 x 12mm size.
Industrial shredders at this level are typically found inside law offices or government or municipal buildings, where confidentiality and privacy are the highest priority.
Level 6 MAXIMUM – Maximum security
Industrial shredders with DIN 6 offer the highest level of shredding safety. Industrial shredders at this level can shred documents into tiny particles of approximately 1 x 5mm. Industrial shredders that offer this level of security are widely recognized as the most secure way to destroy paper documents used by the military and government industry.
