| There are a lot of people out there claiming to offer | | | | model of shredder either. If you see a shredder |
| Department of Defense (DOD) approved or | | | | branded as DOD approved, you can rest assured |
| authorized paper shredders. Many claim that the | | | | that it is marketing jargon. The term NSA approved |
| National Security Administration (NSA) endorses | | | | is a true label as long as it follows the approved NSA |
| certain brands or models of shredders. Is this true? | | | | CSS Specification 02-01 list. |
| Do certain departments of the military really back or | | | | Level 6 shredders do offer the highest security a |
| endorse certain paper shredders? The short answer | | | | paper shredder can offer. Level 6 particles range in |
| is yes and no. | | | | size from small particles to dust (1mm x 4-5mm or |
| What it all boils down to is that the National Security | | | | smaller). These particles cannot be re-assembled. |
| Administration / Central Security Services (NSA/CSS) | | | | They can be used to shred the most sensitive |
| has come up with a list of Level 6 shredders | | | | documents in existence. If UFOs really do exist, you |
| approved for top secret and high security shredding. | | | | can probably be certain the U.S. Government is using |
| This list really does exist, however, the National | | | | level 6 shredders to hide it. All jokes aside, level 6 |
| Security Administration does not endorse any | | | | shredders get the job done. |
| particular brand or model of shredder. The exact | | | | Level six shredders use cutting blades that are very |
| name of this list is NSA/CSS Evaluated Products List | | | | complex, which feature blade fins that are very close |
| (EPL) for High Security Crosscut Paper Shredders. | | | | together. Because of the amount of these blades, |
| The list is referred to as NSA/CSS Specification | | | | level 6 shredders are not recommended for |
| 02-01. | | | | high-volume shredding. They typically shred anywhere |
| The NSA has this to say about the list, "The | | | | from 1-10 sheets at a time, depending on the model. |
| Evaluated Products List (EPL) contains a listing of high | | | | Because these shredders are so intricate, it is also |
| security crosscut paper shredders that have been | | | | recommended that they be oiled on a regular basis. |
| evaluated by the National Security Agency (NSA) or | | | | Security levels 1-5 are defined by the DIN 32757 |
| its designee and meet the performance requirements | | | | (Deutsche Industrial Norm). This is a German |
| of NSA/CSS Specification 02-01, High Security | | | | organization that defines various measurement |
| Crosscut Paper Shredders. Inclusion of a product in | | | | standards. Security level 6 is defined by the U.S. |
| the EPL is not an endorsement by NSA or the U.S. | | | | government and is not approved or defined under |
| Government." | | | | DIN 32757. |
| Many military and government entities, including the | | | | High security paper shredders are not for everyone. |
| Department of Defense, use the NSA/CSS list for | | | | Most offices, schools and other organizations do not |
| finding paper shredders. There is no circulated DOD | | | | require or need such high security. Most organizations |
| approved list of shredders. The Department of | | | | will get plenty of security from a level 3 to level 4 |
| Defense does not endorse or back any paper | | | | paper shredder. |
| shredder. The military does not endorse any brand or | | | | |