Security Levels

Documents can be classified according to the security level appropriate to their level of confidentiality. DIN 32 757 defines five security levels and provides recommendations on how to destroy a document assigned to each of these categories, whereby the higher the security level, the smaller the shred size of the strips or particles. For special types of users an additional “Level 6” has established itself, exceeding the DIN standard.
For high volumes, as in the case of e.g. high-capacity shredders  it is possible to achieve a higher security level by additional measures, such as mixing or compacting the strips or particles.

Security Level 1

Security Level 1  

For all written documents that should be made illegible.
Strip width ≤ 12 mm
Strip length ∞

Security Level 2

Security Level 2 

For internal documents that should be made illegible.
Strip width ≤ 6 mm
Strip length ∞, or Strip area ≤ 800 mm2

Security Level 3

Security Level 3 

For confidential documents that should be made illegible.
Particle width ≤4 mm
Particle length ≤ 80 mm, or Particle area ≤320 mm2

Security Level 4

Security Level 4 

For documents that contain secrets that should be made illegible. Particle width ≤2 mm
Particle length ≤ 15 mm, or Particle area ≤30 mm2

Security Level 5

Security Level 5 

For extremely high security needs.
Particle width ≤ 0,8 mm
Particle length ≤ 13 mm, or Particle area ≤10 mm2

LEvel 6

Level 6 

Not listed under DIN 32 757 – for maximum security requirements. Particle width ≤ 1 mm
Particle length ≤ 5 mm, or Particle area ≤5 mm2