| Explore our full collection of High-Security Shredders & discover the perfect security solution for your business. |
What are Shredder Security Levels & Why Do They Matter?
Every shredder on the market — from strip-cut units to government-approved P-7 machines — falls under a classification system that breaks particle size into seven levels (P-1 through P-7).
These paper shredder levels tell you how small the particles will be, and therefore, how hard it is to reconstruct the document. The higher the number, the smaller the particle - the smaller the particle, the higher the security.
This is why federal agencies and intelligence communities rely on security levels for shredders rather than brand names or marketing claims—they follow standards.
The quick version:
How Do Shredder Security Levels Work? A Level-by-Level Breakdown
| Level | Cut Type | Particle Size | Security Type | Best For… |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| P-1 | Strip-Cut | ≤12 mm strips | Low security. Strips are easily readable & reconstructable. | Junk mail, general office clutter. |
| P-2 | Strip-Cut | ≤6 mm strips | Slightly narrower strips, but still low-security. | Basic, low-risk internal documents. |
| P-3 | Cross-Cut | ≤320 mm² particles | Minimum level for business confidentiality. | Small businesses with low-sensitivity data. |
| P-4 | Cross-Cut | ≤160 mm² particles | Standard for most offices handling PII, HR, & customer data. | HR departments, customer service teams. |
| P-5 | Micro-Cut | ≤30 mm² particles | Suitable for extremelyhighly sensitive corporate data and regulated industries. | Medical (HIPAA), legal firms, finance, & accounting. |
| P-6 | High-Security Micro-Cut | ≤10 mm² particles | Near-NSA level; used for very sensitive internal government documents. | Government agencies, defense contractors. |
| P-7 | Ultra High-Security Micro-Cut | ≤5 mm² particles | Highest security level; required for Top Secret & SCI destruction. | Intelligence agencies, military, classified government, & DOD environments. |
| Still unsure which paper shredding security levels your business requires? Contact our expert team for tailored advice & quotes today. |
P-4 vs. P-5 Shredder — Which One Do You Actually Need?
One of the most common questions we get is “P-4 vs. P-5 shredder: what’s the difference?” Let’s break it down:
P-4 Shredder
- Particle size: ~160 mm²
- Good for confidential office documents in busy environments
- Fast throughput
P-5 Shredder
- Particle size: ~30 mm²
- Appropriate for extremely sensitive information
- Required in many legal, healthcare, and financial environments
- Slightly slower due to the finer cut
Many customers assume P-5 is close to NSA-level destruction, but the particle size difference is significant. P-7 particles are 95% smaller, making them hundreds of times harder to reconstruct.
If you’re still undecided between the two, consider your regulatory landscape first. Browse our selection of P-5 shredders and P-4 shredders and easily compare security levels today.
What Is a High-Security Shredder & Who Needs One?
A high-security shredder is the industry term for P-5, P-6, and P-7 machines that destroy documents into tiny particles that cannot be reconstructed by any known forensic method.
You need a high-security paper shredder if you handle:
- Classified or top-secret government documents
- Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI)
- Defense contracts (ITAR, CMMC, DFARS, and NISPOM)
- Sensitive legal case files
- Financial records with long-term exposure risk
- Medical data under HIPAA
- Intellectual property or R&D documents
High-security doesn’t always mean “slow.”
Modern NSA-listed shredders from brands like Datastroyer now offer surprisingly large throughput thanks to improved blade geometry and optimized feed systems. Ten years ago this wasn’t the case — today’s generation is dramatically more efficient.
| Explore our full lineup of NSA-listed high-security shredders today. |
When Should You Choose a P-7 Shredder?
A P-7 shredder is the highest security rating on the market and the only particle size accepted by the NSA for the destruction of Top Secret and SCI materials.
A P-7 machine is required if you:
- Work in military or intelligence environments
- Must meet NSA/CSS 02-01 destruction specs
- Operate under classified contract obligations
- Need “no-reconstruction possible” assurance
Many federal contractors find that moving from outsourced destruction to an in-house P-7 device reduces both risk and ongoing service costs. Explore our full range of P-7 shredders today to enhance your business’s security and compliance.
Which Shredder Security Level Is Best for Your Office? (A Quick Decision Guide)
Choose a Level P-4 shredder if you…
- Are a business handling customer data
- Want solid protection without overbuying
- Need the best balance of security + speed
Choose a Level P-5 shredder if you…
- Work in legal, finance, healthcare, or HR
- Handle documents that could cause liability if leaked
- Need more protection, but not NSA-level
Choose a Level P-7 shredder if you…
- Work in a government, intelligence, or DOD role
- Have compliance requirements dictating NSA EPL-listed equipment
- Need the absolute maximum protection possible
| Shop our entire range of Data Destruction Equipment today. |
Partner with Whitaker Brothers & Protect Your Business With the Correct Shredder Security Level
Choosing the correct shredder security level isn’t just a technical decision — it’s a security investment. Whether you’re safeguarding client trust, complying with federal regulations, or protecting classified data, the proper product eliminates risk at the source.
Whitaker Brothers has been trusted for over 80 years, supplying shredders to more than 115 countries, including federal agencies, embassies, Fortune 500 companies, schools, and small businesses. And because we’re a family-owned, veteran-owned company, you’ll always get real human guidance — not automated scripts.
Ready to protect your information with confidence? Explore our full assortment of paper shredders or request professional guidance from our team today.