A Lot in Store

Over the years, NAID has built quite a reputation for experimentation and research, and 2013 will be no exception.

Take, for instance, the Australian Disposal Habits Study to be released Feb. 19. It marks the fourth such study conducted by NAID. We already know from experience that these studies substantially increase awareness of secure destruction issues in the regions where they are conducted. Then, the association will have enough experience elsewhere (i.e., the U.K., Spain, Canada and Australia) to try it in the U.S. later this year.

The NAID Information Destruction Policy Compliance Toolkit (CTK) is another example of an experiment that has led to a long line of other projects. While it was marginally successful on its own, it directly led to the development of the Customer Employee Training Program and Video, which, I am happy to report, has been successful in taking the CTK program to a new level of relevance. In 2013, these two programs will be the heart of two new initiatives.

Throughout the year, NAID will host a number of Data Destruction Policy and Training Development Workshops modeled after the successful events we held in Canada during the winter. These events, co-sponsored by local privacy officials and like-minded associations, are designed to teach customers how to partner with NAID members using the NAID CTK and training program while also strengthening NAID’s relationships with important policymakers and buying group organizations.

In addition to these workshops, NAID will use its newly acquired Shred School brand to provide advanced training on the use of these and other NAID programs. It will not be the only training offered under the Shred School name but it will be an important part. Members can consult the Shred School website, www.shredschool.com, for dates and new developments.

As readers may have guessed, NAID has many initiatives in the pipeline for 2013. I singled out the workshops, Shred School and U.S. Disposal Habits Study only to show how these programs have evolved and expanded throughout the years.

The future of the secure destruction industry belongs to companies who can embrace the fact that their roles change with the marketplace. We cannot expect to benefit from the growing compliance pressure on our customers without understanding how to help them beyond just destroying their media.

Bob Johnson is CEO of the National Association for Information Destruction. He can be reached at rjohnson@naidonline.org.