A shredder is a machine that is designed to cut or shred paper, or other materials, into small strips, particles, or confetti-like pieces. The main purpose of a shredder is to destroy sensitive or confidential information. Shredding documents can help maintain privacy and reduce the risk of identity theft or data breaches.
Government agencies use shredders to safeguard sensitive information, comply with regulations, and manage documents efficiently. Shredding documents ensures that the agencies are destroying sensitive data to the point where it cannot be recovered, and reduces the risk of data leaks and espionage.
Also, many government agencies are subject to strict data protection and privacy regulations, like the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) or the Privacy Act. By using shredders, they are able to comply with these regulations by securely disposing records that contain personal or confidential information.
There are different security levels of shredders, and they are referred to as “P-levels.” These security levels are determined by the size and shape of shredded particles, and they specify the level of security a shredder provides. There are 7 P-levels. Level 1/P-1 shredders produce strips with a width of up to 12 mm (0.5 inches), which are large and provide minimal security. On the other hand, Level 6/P-7 shredders produce ultra-fine, micro-cut particles with a maximum width of 1 mm (0.03 inches) and a shred size of 5 mm squared (0.01 inches squared). These shredders are used to destroy top secret information.
Below is a list of our top 10 government shredders. All of the high security shredders listed below have a Level 6/P-7 security level.
1. Datastroyer 2360 SMC High Security Paper Shredder
Key Features:
- Security Level: Level 6 / P-7
- Shred Size: 0.8 x 5 mm
- Throat Size: 9.5 inches
- Sheet Capacity: Up to 7 Sheets
- Automatic Oiler: No
Our Datastroyer 2360 SMC High Security Paper Shredder has a paper shred size of 0.8 x 5 mm, making it impossible to put the shreds back together. The shred volume is 10 gallons, and it has a sheet capacity of up to 7 sheets. This shredder is ideal for single office use, or can be used by a small group of people.
This shredder is one of the safest shredders to operate. It has an “SPS” (Safety Protection System) safety features, like its transparent safety shield that goes over the feed opening. It protects fingers, ties, jewelry, or any unwanted items from slipping into the hardened steel cutting chamber. There is also an automatic power cut-off when the shred bag gets full or when the cabinet is opened, which allows the user to remain safe while using the machine.
2. Datastroyer DCS 36/6 High Security COMBO Paper & Optical Media Shredder
Key Features:
- Security Level: Level 6 / P-7
- Shred Size: 0.8 x 5 mm
- Throat Size: 13 inches for paper, 5 inches for CDs and DVDs
- Sheet Capacity: Up to 16 sheets
- NSA Rating: 7 sheets/pass, 15 reams/hour, 2,000 discs/hour
- Electrical: 115V/60 Hz; 220V/50Hz available
- Automatic Oiler: Yes
Our Datastroyer DCS 36/6 High Security COMBO Paper & Optical Media Shredder can destroy both paper and optical media like CDs, DVDs, credit cards, and ID badges. It is approved by the National Security Agency (NSA) for top secret destruction. The shredder has a sheet capacity of up to 16 sheets per pass, and can shred 2,000 discs per hour. There are separate slots for paper shredding and optical media.
The machine has a throat size of 13 inches for paper, and a throat size of 5 inches for CDs and DVDs. This product comes with an integrated automatic oiler and separate waste bins for paper and CDs. It uses an Energy Management and Control System (EMCS), which results in energy consumption reduction up to 90%. There is also a multi-functional control key with a reversing function and shred-bin level indicator.
3. Datastroyer 1628 MS High Security Paper Shredder
Key Features:
- Security Level: Level 6 / P-7
- Shred Size: 0.8 x 4.8 mm
- Throat Size: 16 inches
- Sheet Capacity: Up to 18 sheets
- Electrical: 115V/60Hz (20 amp. dedicated line required); 220V/50Hz available
- Automatic Oiler: Yes
Our Datastroyer 1628 MS High Security Paper Shredder can shred up to 18 sheets of paper at one time, and has a throat size of 16 inches. It produces confetti-like paper shreds, which fall into its 39 gallon waste bin that is easy to empty. The machine has a cutting cylinder made of 100% solid steel to ensure high cutting capacity and wear-resistant solid steel cutting rollers. It comes with an automatic oiler which helps prolong the life of the cutting head and keeps it in great condition. The shredder runs on a continuous duty thermally protected motor, and has anti-jam technology that can quickly reverse paper out when there is an overload.
4. Datastroyer 303-DVD/C with Custom Cabinet
Key Features:
- Waste Residue: 1.5 mm dust
- Feed Opening: 5.5 inches
- Cycle Time: 3 seconds per disc (approximately)
- Electrical: 10-130 VAC 50-60 Hz
Our Datastroyer 303-DVD/C with Custom Cabinet shreds CDs, DVDs, blu-ray discs, CAC (common access I.D. cards), credit cards with an EMV chip, magnetic stripe cards, and SIM cards for cell phones. In fact, the shredder meets the National Security Agency (NSA) requirements for the destruction of all types of CDs, DVDs, and blu-ray discs. All it takes is approximately 3 seconds to destroy one disc. It comes with a 6-gallon external vacuum which is housed inside a custom cabinet with built in casters for mobility, and 12 residue bags. No oil or lubrication is required when operating the machine, and the device is completely portable.
5. Datastroyer 007SF High Security Paper Shredder Package
Key Features:
- Security Level: Level 6 / P-7
- Shred Size: 0.8 x 4.5 mm
- Throat Size: 13 inches
- Sheet Capacity: Up to 20 sheets
- Electrical: 115V/60Hz (20 amp. dedicated line required); 220V/50Hz available
- Automatic Oiler: Yes
Our Datastroyer 007SF High Security Paper Shredder Package includes the shredder, an automatic oiler with 1 gallon capacity, a 2-gallon case of oil, and a case of 50 bags. This device has the largest bag volume (63 gallons) compared to other high security paper shredders. In fact, its bag volume has a 20% greater capacity than any other National Security Agency (NSA) evaluated product. It is used by many government organizations that need top-secret information destroyed, and is built for high-volume classified paper shredding. It can shred up to 20 sheets of paper at one time, and has a 13 inch throat size that accommodates a variety of paper dimensions. The machine is the only NSA approved shredder to have key lock security to prevent unauthorized users from shredding.
6. Datastroyer 702 SF High Security Paper Shredder
Key Features:
- Security Level: Level 6 / P-7
- Shred Size: 0.8 x 4.5 mm
- Throat Size: 16 inches
- Sheet Capacity: Up to 20 sheets
- Electrical: 115V/60Hz (20 amp. dedicated line required)
- Automatic Oiler: Yes
Our Datastroyer 702 SF High Security Paper Shredder can shred up to 20 sheets of paper per pass and reduces your documents into a particle size of 0.8 x 4.5 mm. It has a comprehensive i-control system of sensors and indicators that control the shredder’s functions, and alerts the user about its operational status and possible overloads. The device has backlit icons that tell the user when there is a paper jam, oil is needed, shredder bin is full, and when the cabinet door is open. If you forget to turn off your shredder at the end of the day, its ecologic energy management system automatically goes into sleep mode after 30 minutes of inactivity.
7. Datastroyer 502 SF High Security Paper Shredder
Key Features:
- Security Level: Level 6 / P-7
- Shred Size: 0.8 x 4.5 mm
- Throat Size: 12.25 inches
- Sheet Capacity: Up to 13 sheets
- Automatic Oiler: Yes
Our Datastroyer 502 SF High Security Paper Shredder can shred up to 13 sheets of paper per pass, and has a 12.25 inch throat size that can take in different paper sizes. There is a 32 gallon waste capacity. The machine has a Dynamic Load Sensor (DLS) that detects the volume of paper being shredded, and alerts the user if there is a possible overload. The Datastroyer 502 SF High Security Shredder has Silentec technology that reduces noise and makes the device operate quietly so you will not be interrupted if you are working. As a result, this shredder is ideal for office environments.
8. Datastroyer 2605 SMC High Security Paper Shredder
Key Features:
- Security Level: Level 6 / P-7
- Shred Size: 0.8 x 5 mm
- Throat Size: 10.25 inches
- Sheet Capacity: Up to 13 sheets
- Automatic Oiler: Yes
Our Datastroyer 2605 SMC High Security Paper Shredder comes with an automatic oiler that has 1 gallon capacity, a 2-gallon case of oil, and a case of 50 bags. It is one of the safest shredders to use, and contains “SPS” (Safety Protection System) safety features, such as a transparent safety shield over the feed opening, and automatic power cut-off when the shred bag gets full or the cabinet is opened.
There is an “ECC” (Electronic Capacity Control) indicator that helps prevent jams by indicating the shredder’s capacity levels. In addition, the shredder has a large multifunctional “easy switch” button that shows you the shredder’s operational status using built-in optics. Colors and symbols are used to display to the user the current status of the shredder so they will be aware of how it is functioning.
9. Datastroyer 2603/2 SMC High Security Paper Shredder
Key Features:
- Security Level: Level 6 / P-7
- Shred Size: 0.8 x 5 mm
- Throat Size: 10.25 inches
- Sheet Capacity: Up to 11 sheets
- Automatic Oiler: Yes
Our Datastroyer 2603/2 SMC High Security Paper Shredder is a micro-cut shredder that can destroy up to 11 sheets of paper at one time. It is approved by the U.S. Department of Defense, and meets the National Security Agency/Central Security Service specification 02-01 for Level 6/P-7 security since it has exceptional shredding capabilities, and can transform documents into particles that are 0.8 x 5 mm. The shredder comes with an automatic oiler that has a capacity of 1 gallon, a 2-gallon case of oil, and a case of 50 bags. Instead of manually oiling this shredder, its automatic oiler infuses the cutting head while paper is being destroyed, which saves the user time and makes shredding easy.
10. Datastroyer 1010 MS High Security Paper Shredder with Auto Oiler
Key Features:
- Security Level: Level 6 / P-7
- Shred Size: 0.8 x 4.8 mm
- Throat Size: 10.5 inches
- Sheet Capacity: Up to 7 sheets
- Automatic Oiler: Yes
Our Datastroyer 1010 MS High Security Paper Shredder with Auto Oiler is on the National Security Agency/Central Security Service Evaluated Products List for Paper Shredders. It has a 10.5 inch throat size that can shred up to 7 documents at once, and its shreds resemble confetti. The machine has a 25 gallon waste bin that is very easy to empty. Its controls are user-friendly, and there is an automatic start and stop function and paper feed function with overload protection to prevent paper jams. It runs on a thermally protected continuous duty motor. The shredder has a cabinet mounted on casters, so it can be moved around an office.
