Class A & Class B Government Shredders

The Protective Security Policy Framework (PSPF)

High Security, Class A and Class B Paper Shredders can be identified as having passed testing against the SEG (Security Equipment Guide). Testing is performed against the ASIO T4 Protective Security, SECURITY EQUIPMENT GUIDE (SEG001.1), TEST PROCEDURES for Class A and B paper shredders (v1.0 06/09/2011).

To assure accuracy of testing against the SEG, a high level of technical and analytical competence is required and for this reason, it is preferable the testing authority engaged is a NATA test house operating under the ISO 9001 quality system. A NATA test house is competent to provide consistently reliable testing and inspection data to the Australian government, industry and to the broader community.

At the conclusion of testing, the supplier of the shredder/s will be supplied with a Test Report from the NATA testing authority. The Test Report will reveal in the Summary section of the test report, if the paper shredder tested has Passed or Failed testing against the ASIO T4 Protective Security, SECURITY EQUIPMENT GUIDE (SEG001.1), TEST PROCEDURES for Class A and B paper shredders (v1.0 06/09/2011).

When purchasing Class A and Class B paper shredders, the purchaser should request the Test Report/s from the seller, for relevant models under consideration. This provides the purchaser with evidence of the test against the SEG (Security Equipment Guide) on the device/s being considered and Passed testing, meeting the requirements of the ASIO T4 Protective Security, SECURITY EQUIPMENT GUIDE (SEG001.1). The Summary page of the test report will reveal the outcome of testing, PASS or FAIL.

In Australia, the ASIO T4 Protective Security, SECURITY EQUIPMENT GUIDE (SEG001.1), TEST PROCEDURES for Class A and B paper shredders (v1.0 06/09/2011) is used to determine whether or not, a paper shredder is suitable for the purpose of shredding paper based, security classified information to a Class A or Class B security level.

The security classification of paper based documents is the determining factor whether an A Class paper shredder is required for the destruction of information SECRET or above or if a B Class paper shredder is required for the destruction of information CONFIDENTIAL, PROTECTED.

Not only Australian government departments, but contractors to the Australian government are also required to shred security classified information using A and B Class paper shredders. If your business is a contractor to the Australian government, when purchasing Class A or B paper shredders, the purchaser should also request the Test Report/s from the seller for evidence that testing was conducted against the SEG on the relevant models under consideration. This also assures Australian government contractors that certified, security endorsed paper shredders are being used that meet the requirements and also when security audits are performed, that suitable destruction devices are being used for the purpose.

For more information and guidance about Class A and Class B paper shredders, contact us on 1800 874 733 or info@documentdynamix.com.au.