Shredder security levels determine how small your documents are cut and therefore how secure the destruction is. The European standard DIN 66399 (which updated the older DIN 32757) defines seven security levels from P-1 (lowest) to P-7 (highest).
The higher the security level, the smaller the particle size and the more impossible reconstruction becomes. Shredsec operates at P-3 (DIN Level 3) as standard for all shredding services – the minimum recommended level for confidential business documents.
Understanding Security Levels
Why Security Level Matters
Basic strip-cut shredders (P-1, P-2) produce long ribbons of paper that can potentially be reassembled. Criminals and intelligence agencies have successfully reconstructed strip-cut documents using patience or computer-assisted matching.
Cross-cut shredders (P-3 and above) cut paper in two directions, creating small particles that make reconstruction virtually impossible. The higher the level, the smaller the particles.
Choosing the Right Level
| Security Level | Suitable For |
|---|---|
| P-1, P-2 | Non-confidential documents only |
| P-3 | Confidential business documents (Shredsec standard) |
| P-4 | Highly confidential documents |
| P-5 | Secret documents |
| P-6, P-7 | Top secret / classified documents |
Most businesses require P-3 for routine confidential waste. Higher levels are typically needed for government, military, financial services with classified data, or specific regulatory requirements.
Types of Shredding Cut
Strip Cut (Ribbon Cut)
Strip-cut shredders slice paper into long vertical strips the length of the original document. These strips can potentially be reassembled.
- Security levels: P-1, P-2 only
- Pros: Faster, cheaper machines
- Cons: Lower security, potential for reconstruction
- Shredsec view: Not recommended for confidential documents
Cross Cut (Particle Cut)
Cross-cut shredders use two contra-rotating cylinders to cut paper in both directions simultaneously, producing small rectangular particles.
- Security levels: P-3 and above
- Pros: High security, impossible to reconstruct
- Cons: Slower than strip-cut (but industrial machines are fast)
- Shredsec view: All our shredding uses cross-cut technology
Micro Cut
Micro-cut is essentially very fine cross-cut shredding, producing tiny particles for the highest security applications.
- Security levels: P-5, P-6, P-7
- Pros: Maximum security for classified documents
- Cons: Slowest shredding speed
- Shredsec view: Available on request for high-security requirements
DIN 66399 Security Levels Explained
P-1
Maximum strip width: 12mm | Maximum particle size: No limit on length
Suitable for: General internal documents with no confidentiality requirement. NOT suitable for any document containing personal data or sensitive information.
P-2
Maximum strip width: 6mm | Maximum particle size: No limit on length
Suitable for: Internal documents requiring basic destruction. NOT recommended for confidential documents – strips can be reassembled.
P-3 (Shredsec Standard)
Maximum particle size: 320mm² with max width 4mm (typically 4mm x 30mm)
Suitable for: Confidential documents containing personal or sensitive data. This is the minimum recommended level for:
- Personal data under UK GDPR
- Financial records
- Employee information
- Customer data
- Business confidential documents
This is the security level Shredsec uses for all standard shredding.
P-4
Maximum particle size: 160mm² with max width 6mm (typically 2mm x 15mm)
Suitable for: Highly confidential documents requiring additional security. Often specified for:
- Board papers
- M&A documentation
- Highly sensitive personal data
- Financial services compliance
P-5
Maximum particle size: 30mm² with max width 2mm (typically 0.8mm x 12mm)
Suitable for: Secret documents. Used by:
- Government departments
- Defence contractors
- Financial institutions with classified data
P-6
Maximum particle size: 10mm² with max width 1mm (typically 0.8mm x 4mm)
Suitable for: Highly secret documents. Used by:
- Military
- Intelligence services
- High-security government facilities
P-7
Maximum particle size: 5mm² with max width 1mm (typically 0.8mm x 2.5mm)
Suitable for: Top secret documents requiring maximum security. The highest classification available.
Comparison Table
| Level | Max Particle Size | Typical Dimensions | Security | Use Case |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| P-1 | Strip 12mm wide | 12mm x page length | Very Low | Non-confidential |
| P-2 | Strip 6mm wide | 6mm x page length | Low | Basic internal |
| P-3 | 320mm² | 4mm x 30mm | Standard | Confidential business |
| P-4 | 160mm² | 2mm x 15mm | High | Highly confidential |
| P-5 | 30mm² | 0.8mm x 12mm | Very High | Secret |
| P-6 | 10mm² | 0.8mm x 4mm | Extremely High | Highly secret |
| P-7 | 5mm² | 0.8mm x 2.5mm | Maximum | Top secret |
Other Material Types
DIN 66399 also covers security levels for other materials:
- O-1 to O-7 – Optical media (CDs, DVDs)
- T-1 to T-7 – Magnetic media (tapes)
- E-1 to E-7 – Electronic media (hard drives, SSDs)
- F-1 to F-7 – Microfilm
- H-1 to H-7 – Hard drives (physical destruction)
Contact us if you need destruction of non-paper media.
Which Level Do You Need?
Most businesses: P-3 is appropriate for general confidential waste including personal data, financial records, and business documents. This is Shredsec’s standard level.
Higher security requirements: If you handle classified information, highly sensitive personal data (medical, legal), or have specific regulatory requirements, you may need P-4 or above. Contact us to discuss.
Government and defence: P-5 and above is typically required. We can arrange certified high-security destruction.
Shredsec Security Standards
All Shredsec shredding is carried out to P-3 (DIN Level 3) as standard:
- Particle size: Maximum 4mm x 30mm
- Cut type: Cross-cut (two-direction cutting)
- Standard: Complies with DIN 66399 / DIN 32757
- Certificate: Destruction certificate documents security level
Higher security levels available on request for sensitive requirements.
Get a Quote
Need secure shredding services? Contact Shredsec:
Call: 0800 654 6507 Email: service@shredsec.com
We serve Bury St Edmunds, Ipswich, Norwich, Cambridge and the wider Suffolk and East Anglia area.
Contact Shredsec to discuss your shredding requirements.