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Understanding Shredder Security Levels

1. Level 2 – Strip Cut is the least secure method of shredding documents, and we can only really recommend it for general document shredding. Strip Cut shredding is exactly what it sounds like: documents are merely cut into long strips, meaning that if a criminal were persistent enough, he or she could easily piece the document back together so it was readable. The only documents that should be destroyed in this manner are those that have no information on them that could not possibly lead to any sort of financial or personal loss if they were to be read by someone with bad intentions. We don’t mind going on record stating that we are not big fans of strip cut shredding, considering that there are so many cross cut (or better) machines on the market that offer near the capacity of strip cut models, with none of the worry.

2. Level 3 – Cross Cut is the next step up, and it is a world of difference as far as security goes. Cross cut machines cut paper into short confetti-like rectangular shapes. Most cross cut shredders on the market today offer what is known as a Security Level of 3. This classification relates to what are known as the FACTA regulations, passed by congress in 2005. These laws state that businesses and individuals who regularly handle sensitive financial and personal information of either employees or customers must properly destroy these documents whenever they are being discarded. In other words, if you have a file of, say, social security numbers, you can’t just put it in the recycling bin, you must shred it in a machine that offers a Level 3 Security or above. If you don’t you may find yourself subject to pretty steep fines, as well as possible litigation if someone can prove that they were financially damaged due to documents that you mishandled. The safest, easiest way for you to protect yourself is to do your shredding with a Level 3 (or better) cross cut machine.

3. Levels 4-5 Cross Cut. Sometimes known as “diamond cut,” these shredders cut paper into particles that are similar to L3 cross cut, but are either smaller, or diamond-shaped (even more difficult to piece together) or both. These Security levels are what you might want to consider when you must regularly shred documents that contain information that is vital to the survival of your business, or is otherwise considered top secret. It important to note that as security levels rise, in most cases the sheet capacity of the machine will drop. While it is possible to find L3 shredders that have sheet capacities near that of L2 strip cut models, that is not often the case with L4 and L5 machines. You will have to decide what the balance is between the level productivity you want out of your machine, and the level of security you need on a regular basis.

4. Level 6 Micro Shred. Usually reserved for high-level, top-secret government work (such as the military and Homeland Security), these shredders virtually obliterate your average sheet of paper into thousands of tiny particles. To get a rating of L6, a shredder must meet guidelines set out by the National Security Administration, usually seen as “NSA/CSS Specification 02-01.” It’s probably overkill for the average business to seek out an L6 Security shredder, but they are available, albeit with some of the productivity caveats that go along with Levels 5 and 6.

If you are interested in more information about the Paper Shredders you might want to visit MyBinding.com. They offer a great price on this machine and they even offer Free Shipping. MyBinding carries large selection of shredders, bags, and accessories, including the full line of MBM Destroyit Shredders. Check it out today!

Article from articlesbase.com

Posted on September 15, 2011 by , Reply

Understanding the Industrial Security Clearance Process

For millions of Americans, a national security clearance is required to gain employment and maintain a job working with a large variety of government and military agencies. The Defense Security Service has a Central Adjudication Facility called the Defense Industrial Security Clearance Office (DISCO) where they process about 150,000 personal security clearances each year. Some individuals are granted clearance by the DISCO after this process; however for many people the investigation process may bring up a few reasons why an agency may doubt their application for security clearance.

When this happens the case is transferred to the Defense Office of Hearings and Appeals.

DOHA

The DOHA handles all security clearance applications in question. Once a case is handed to the DOHA, they can request further investigation, interview the applicant, require psychological evaluations, and send out written interrogations. Annually, the DOHA receives and process about 40,000 cases.

The ratio of favorable adjudicated cases by the DOHA is very good. In about 96% of cases, they grant or continue existing clearances, and the process ends. For the remaining 4% the DOHA decides to revoke or deny the clearance and all are issued a Statement of Reasons.

Statement of Reasons

The Statement of Reasons details every specific reason why the applicant may not have been granted clearance and alerts the candidate of their right to appeal this decision with a written rebuttal or a hearing. About 10% of those who receive a Statement of Reasons simply accept it without rebuttal and the process ends with no clearance. The other 90% must challenge the denial with first a written rebuttal submitted within 20 days, clearly outlining a denial or admittance of each allegation made in the Statement of Reasons. This is the point in which consulting with a qualified and experienced security clearance attorney may be necessary and helpful in challenging the denial decision. The Edmunds Law Firm, for example, has a strong history of regaining clearance for their clients based on the written rebuttal alone, and also has a strong reputation in the courtroom.

After the DOHA receives the rebuttal, they send the applicant a File of Relevant Materials (FORM), which gives the applicant 30 days to send another written explanation addressing the materials and any remaining allegations or concerns from the DOHA. If, after receiving this written explanation, the DOHA feels the allegations were unfounded, they can grant clearance to the applicant. If this is not the case, the application is assigned to an individual Administrative Judge who will consider the case with or without a hearing. About 88% of the cases reviews by the administrative judge without a hearing will be denied clearance.

Hearing

A hearing can be requested by either the applicant or a DOHA attorney. At this point in the process, it is very important to seek the professional legal counsel of a security clearance denial attorney, like The Edmunds Law Firm.  The attorney, at this point, requests information from the DOHA regarding witnesses and evidence against the applicant to prepare an explanation or rebuttal in court. The applicant must be present in person at the hearing, which will be held in a city near the applicant’s residence or place of employment. Any witnesses called in the hearing may be subject to cross examination.

After the hearing, the Administrative Judge reviews the evidence and makes a written decision regarding the status of the applicant’s security clearance as well as an inclusion of all policies, facts, findings, and conclusions about the allegations outlined in the Statement of Reasons. If clearance is granted after the hearing, the DOHA notifies the applicant as well as their employer. If they are still denied security clearance after the hearing, they have the opportunity to appeal.

Appeal

On average, about 20-30% of the hearing decisions are appealed. A written appeal must be submitted by the applicant within 15 days, which is then put in front of a board of three administrative judges. Because no new evidence is submitted between the hearing and the appeal, most appeals make the claim that the evidence doesn’t support the decision or there was not enough consideration take regarding the mitigation evidence during the hearing. The board of three administrative judges in appeal court can consult with the administrative judge who proceeded over the hearing for more clarification.

The decision made in the court of appeals is final. Any applicant whose clearance has been officially denied or revoked by the administrative judges is not allowed to reapply for clearance for at least a full calendar year from when the first denial decision was made

Seeking Security Clearance Denial Counsel

When faced with the first steps of a security clearance denial, it is a good idea to seek legal help in regaining or gaining security clearance. A DOHA attorney will know the ins and outs of the security clearance application and process and will be able to offer valuable advice and assistance in securing the necessary clearance to gain or continue employment.

 

 

The Edmumds Law Firm has over 33 years of experience in mitigating security clearance cases. Visit www.securityclearancedenial.com for helpful information on the process of gaining security clearance and appealing security clearance denial decisions. Call (800) 481-2526 or fill out the contact form on securityclearancedenial.com to set up a free case analysis consultation today.

Article from articlesbase.com

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Posted on July 11, 2011 by , Reply

Understanding the Value of Instant Criminal Records Information

Criminal records have become some of the most valuable resources available to the general public.  They can be used by businesses, by consumers, by homeowners, entrepreneurs, parents, school administrators and everyone in between.  However, if you are unaware of the value offered by these record searches, you’ll need to understand just what these searches offer, in order to see how they can be of use within your life and why you need them.  What do these records offer?

Instant Information – Online criminal record checks provide you with immediate, accurate, targeted information about a person’s past.  You’ll find that by searching through millions of records, including state and county criminal records, state inmate databases, sex offender records, federal inmate databases and more, these searches provide you with detailed information that will help you make an informed decision about anyone.  In addition, this information is available in mere seconds, which has obvious benefits for you.

Savings – One of the single largest drawbacks to using criminal records is the fact that “free” doesn’t always mean free.  While you might be granted access to these records under the Freedom of Information Act, you’ll discover that quite a few providers will charge you an arm and leg to make use of their search functions.  The right provider, however, will actually ensure that you have the information you need, without charging you a thing.  Obviously, this is an important consideration for anyone, from businesses to private consumers.

Accuracy – Criminal records have traditionally suffered a drawback due to common names.  Even names that you might not consider to be common can be shared by quite a few different people across the nation.  Therefore, online criminal record search providers offer you a means of ensuring accuracy in your searches.  You’ll find that simply adding a birth date to your search query can have enormous benefits and can help to guarantee that the information you receive is as accurate as possible.

Easily Understood – Have you ever actually read a criminal record report?  If so, then you know that these documents can be quite confusing.  Unless you have a background in law, you might not be able to make much sense of these records.  However, the right criminal record search provider will ensure that you know who committed the crime, their age at the time, where the crime was committed, the type of crime and the actual offense in question.

Simplicity – Finally, no matter how accurate, how swift or how easy to understand those results might be, if the user interface is not simple to use, you can find serious difficulty in accessing criminal records.  Therefore, you should ensure that the search provider that you choose offers an easy to use interface, with clear directions on usage.  This provides you with an easy means to enter your search criteria, without having to jump through any hoops.

As you can see, online search providers like CriminalPages.com can offer you incredible value and benefits, allowing you to gain access to the information that you need in mere seconds, without any hassles or headaches.

Article from articlesbase.com

Gerald Celente, the founder of the Trends Research Institute, believes that the Internet will empower the youth of the world to unite to start a revolution that will overthrow the existing deadlocked elitist establishment. He predicts that in 2011 every citizen is going to realize that the Great Recession the world has been living through is actually a Great Depression, because the American establishment is “running out of schemes.” RT on Facebook: www.facebook.com RT on Twitter: twitter.com

Posted on May 20, 2011 by , Reply

Constitutional Understanding: New Education Materials Provide Activities to Develop Student Understanding of U.S. Constitution

Constitutional Understanding: New Education Materials Provide Activities to Develop Student Understanding of U.S. Constitution










Washington (PRWEB) September 15, 2005

As the people of Iraq wait to read and vote on the newly printed Iraqi Constitution, American educational institutions are looking for ways to commemorate the September 17, 1787 signing of the United States Constitution.

The 2005 school year will mark the first time that all educational institutions receiving federal aid will be required by law to provide programs on the United States Constitution.

National History Day, Inc. has teamed with Newsweek and Oxford University Press to provide teachers with a variety of classroom activities and resources to meet the Constitution Day federal mandate and place our nation’s blueprint in historical context.

The materials are available online by visiting http://www.NHD.org and clicking on “Constitution Day.”

“The United States Constitution reflects our nation’s diversity, our unity, and with 27 amendments it stands as a testament to our continued work of forming ‘a more perfect union’,” said National History Day Executive Director, Cathy Gorn. “I believe that the Constitution Day materials we are providing will encourage students and teachers to engage in a dialogue about what it means to be a citizen.”

Sen. Robert Byrd, D-W.Va., introduced the federal legislation requiring education and government institutions to commemorate Constitution Day and President Bush signed the bill into law in December of 2004. When Sen. Byrd introduced the legislation, he stated his hopes that the bill will foster a deeper reverence for and a better understanding of the United States Constitution.

218 years after the 55 delegates to the Constitutional Convention held their final meeting, the United States Constitution stands as the world’s oldest written blueprint for government.

National History Day, Inc. is a yearlong history education organization that is transforming the way history is taught and learned. National History Day help teachers meet educational standards; disseminates high quality curriculum materials; and sponsors challenging contests that teach students critical skills for the 21st century. National History Day improves education EVERY day and is the only history education organization providing information on Constitution Day that will help students to place the U.S. Constitution in historical context.

The Newsweek Education Program is a highly respected producer of educational materials that supports using Newsweek to teach current events in high school and college classrooms. The program aims to engage students with the issues of the day to prepare them for their future as active citizens in our democracy.

Oxford University Press believes strongly that curriculum materials must not simply convey information; they must also involve students in the subject matter so that they become active and eager participants. As the world’s oldest university press, Oxford remains committed to providing students with the highest quality scholarship. Every book in the Oxford School Social Studies Program draws on the expertise not only of the individual scholar-authors, but also a range of other scholars to whom Oxford University Press has unrivaled access. It is our goal to equip all students with the analytical and literary skills that will enable them to succeed in their continuing education and future careers and ultimately to become the informed and involved citizens that a strong democracy requires.

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Posted on April 22, 2011 by , Reply

Understanding The Wicca Religion

The Encyclopedia of Religion defines a religion as “the organization of life around the depth dimensions of experience – varied in form, completeness and clarity in accordance with the environment of the culture”.


Practitioners of Wicca are believed to be descendants of the Ancient Druids who were priests and healers who created an environment where people celebrated nature and believed that everything in nature including humans were sacred and powerful.


This practice began in earlier times when human beings were hunter-gatherers. Their rituals were associated with Fire, hunting, breeding of animals, preserving nature and healing.


Wiccans are believed to have originated from the Celtic region (Western Europe and British Isles). They were persecuted by many cultures for their Witchcraft or Magickal traditions which included celebrations such as Esbats and Sabbats which are centered on lunar and solar cycles.


Many millions were persecuted by the Roman, Saxon and Norman invasions or killed by massive genocides (Witch hunts) by Christians in the dark ages.


The Wiccan Rede is the rule that governs the behavior of the practitioners. It is usually summarized in one line; “An’ it harm none, Do what ye will.”.


One other rule of behavior refers to the Threefold Law, which states that everything we do is returned three fold. This generally dissuades the practitioners of Wicca to do nothing that hurts another. It is similar to the Law of Karma.


Most religions teach specific rules of behavior to its followers. In contrast, Wiccans are given the freedom to practice and adapt their religion to their lifestyles. The main focus of the Wiccan religion is the existence of the spirit in all of us. Every animate and inanimate thing is connected to each other by this unifying spirit that exists in us all. So there is no worship of any Gods or spiritual entities.


However, Wiccans use their magickal incantations to create or manifest their wishes with the help of spirit guides. Wiccans believe that spirit guides exist in everything including the celestial objects such as stars and planets. The spirit of the Moon is held in high esteem and represents the Goddess. The Sun is the male entity that is invited to help with the manifestations. These spirits are powerful and their energies help us achieve our dreams. They are not worshipped, but respected and revered for their guidance and assistance.


The Earth is revered as the highest source of power and the four elements Fire, Water, Air and Earth are assumed to be powers that create our future in accordance with the spirit’s manifesting requirements (incantations). Wiccans also believe in negative energies that may thwart us in our manifestations.


Before any ceremony, a sacred circle is cast which keeps out the negative energies that may dilute or negate the efficacy or our incantations. All negative energies are commanded to return to their origins and stay away until we complete our rituals in the belief that our thoughts and visualizations become manifest most effectively when the all the surrounding energies cooperate and guide our spirit.

Rose Ariadne has been practicing ancient forms of Witchcraft for over 25 years. Get more info about the Wicca religion here: http://www.askroseariadne.com/editorials/the-wicca-religion.html

Posted on October 6, 2010 by , Reply

Why are powerful liberal politicians so afraid of grassroots Democrats understanding “KELO VS NEW LONDON” case?

Why are they fearful of allowing grass roots Democrats understanding the significance of powerful politicians colluding with rich businesses and taking property from middle class families?

Will the Democrats suffer a hemorrraging of voters once regular Obama-voters undersand how his Supreme Court Jutice nominees will destroy their freedom?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kelo_v._City_of_New_London#Dissenting_opinions

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On June 25, 2005, Justice Sandra Day O’Connor wrote the principal dissent, joined by Chief Justice William Rehnquist, Justice Antonin Scalia and Justice Clarence Thomas. The dissenting opinion suggested that the use of this taking power in a reverse Robin Hood fashion— take from the poor, give to the rich— would become the norm, not the exception:

“ Any property may now be taken for the benefit of another private party, but the fallout from this decision will not be random. The beneficiaries are likely to be those citizens with disproportionate influence and power in the political process, including large corporations and development firms. ”

She argued that the decision eliminates “any distinction between private and public use of property — and thereby effectively delete[s] the words ‘for public use’ from the Takings Clause of the Fifth Amendment.” 125 S.Ct. 2655, 2671

Clarence Thomas also penned a separate originalist dissent, in which he argued that the precedents the court’s decision relied upon were flawed and that “something has gone seriously awry with this Court’s interpretation of the Constitution.” He accuses the majority of replacing the Fifth Amendment’s “Public Use” clause with a very different “public purpose” test:

“ This deferential shift in phraseology enables the Court to hold, against all common sense, that a costly urban-renewal project whose stated purpose is a vague promise of new jobs and increased tax revenue, but which is also suspiciously agreeable to the Pfizer Corporation, is for a ‘public use.’ ”

Thomas also made use of the argument presented in the NAACP/AARP/SCLC/SJLS amicus brief on behalf of three low-income residents’ groups fighting redevelopment in New Jersey, noting:

“ Allowing the government to take property solely for public purposes is bad enough, but extending the concept of public purpose to encompass any economically beneficial goal guarantees that these losses will fall disproportionately on poor communities. Those communities are not only systematically less likely to put their lands to the highest and best social use, but are also the least politically powerful.[11]
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Posted on July 5, 2010 by , 2 comments

Understanding the US Constitution part 1- 5 Key Concepts Everyone Should Know


Easily understand the basic concepts of the US Constitution by mastering 5 Key Concepts. Understand Freedom, Liberty, Founding Principles and American History like never before. By Craig Seibert.

Posted on June 16, 2010 by , 15 comments