Skip to main content
All CollectionsProduct FAQ's & Guides
What Is The Most Secure Type Of Paper Shredder?
What Is The Most Secure Type Of Paper Shredder?

A quick guide to paper shredder security classifications.

D
Written by Doireann Hunt
Updated over a week ago

Security level is an important factor to consider when purchasing your shredder. Paper shredder security is easily identified by the DIN P-Level classification established by the German Institute for Standardisation. The classification is based on the size and cut of the paper particles once they have been shredded. The Classification has three levels of security.

Protection Category 1

This category contains P-1, P-2 and P-3 paper shredders. This security class is suitable for users with a need for a low to normal security level to shred internal data.

Protection Category 2

This category contains P-3, P-4, and P-5 paper shredders. This security class is suitable for users that need to shred sensitive and confidential data.

Protection Category 3

This category contains P-5, P-6, and P-7 paper shredders. This security class is suitable for users that need to shred secret data. If maximum security standards are required P-7 shredders are recommended.

Particle Sizes

DIN P-Level Classification

Protection Category

Particle Size After Shredding

P-1

1

Max 2,000mm² or strip width max. 12.0mm

P-2

1

Max 800mm² or strip width max 6.0mm

P-3

1 + 2

Max 320mm² or strip width max 2.0mm

P-4

2

Max 160mm² and strip width max 6.0mm

P-5

2 + 3

Max 30mm² and strip width max 2.0mm

P-6

3

Max 10mm² and strip width max 1.0mm

P-7

3

Max 5mm² and strip width max 1.0mm, or suspension with particle area max 5mm², or reduced to ash with particle area max 5mm²

So, Which Level is Right for Me?

Most general use shredding can be carried out by shredders in protection category 2, at P-5 and below. For shredding sensitive documents we recommend using a shredder at P-5 security level or higher. P-7 is the maximum security level for shredders and would be suitable for shredding highly sensitive and top secret documents with no possibility of document re-production with the current technology.

Shop Our High Security Shredders (Level P-5 and above)

Did this answer your question?