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Certification Program

NAID® Certification Program
for Information Destruction Operations

The NAID Certification Program is offered on a voluntary basis to all NAID member companies providing information destruction services. Through the program, NAID members may seek annual certification audits for both Mobile and Plant-based operations in paper or printed media, micro media or computer hard drive destruction. The NAID Certification Program establishes standards for a secure destruction process including such areas as operational security, employee hiring and screening, the destruction process, responsible disposal and insurance.

Applicants are required to submit the most current Certification Application and associated fees to NAID Headquarters on a yearly basis. Once the application is received complete by NAID Headquarters, an auditor is assigned to the location to perform the audit. All audits are performed by security professionals with the Certified Protection Professional (CPP) accreditation. The CPP accreditation is issued by the American Society for Industrial Security.

When a NAID Member has had a successful audit, they are issued a certificate, showing their company name, type of operations and the specific media destruction performed at their location. The NAID Member is also listed on the NAID website as certified.

Under the above program, the certification application and associated fees cover only individual locations. If a NAID member operates in multiple locations, each location must pass the audit to be certified. NAID members who receive certification must specify the location certified in company literature when referencing the NAID Certification Program.

Certification Application and Scheduled Audit Process

The following is the process that is adhered to by NAID Headquarters in order for a NAID member to obtain Certification status:

  1. A NAID Member applies for NAID Certification by submitting a completed Certification Application to NAID Headquarters. This includes the Additional Required Materials requested on page 2 as well as the application fee.
  2. NAID Headquarters assigns and faxes a copy of the application to the regional auditor.
  3. The auditor contacts the applicant to schedule the audit appointment.
  4. The auditor then completes and faxes the "Audit Confidentiality Agreement," verifying the date and time of the audit, to the applicant and NAID Headquarters.
  5. The audit will take place as scheduled and at the end of the audit process, the auditor will report his/her findings on the Auditor Report form to NAID Headquarters for acceptance by Certification Review Board.
  6. After reviewing the auditor's findings and recommendation, the Certification Review Board will approve, deny or request further information/action on the applicant's Certification. NAID Headquarters will notify the NAID member of the results. If the audit has been approved, NAID Headquarters will provide the NAID member with appropriate Certification documentation, including posting successful Certification on the NAID website www.naidonline.org.

Certification Review Board

The Certification Review Board, composed of several NAID member representatives and outside professionals in security and records management, will make final outcome decisions on all audits (scheduled and unannounced), including review of any special considerations before audits and indicate required corrections before, during or after the Certification application and audit process.

Unannounced Audits

As an integral part of the Certification Program, Unannounced Audits will be randomly chosen by NAID's Certified Public Accountant and conducted for approximately 25% of all Certified locations annually. Auditors will have full latitude to check any and all criteria of the Certification Program, but will focus on security measures and observable operations that occur on a daily basis at the member's site. Any problems or issues found during an Unannounced Audit will be referred to the Certification Review Board for review. The Certification Review Board may require necessary actions take place by the member to rectify problems immediately and can revoke their Certification Status during that period.

Multiple Locations/Corporate Program

Companies with three or more locations may utilize this program by contacting NAID Headquarters at 602-788-6243 x 206 or certification@naidonline.org.

The NAID Certification Program is copyrighted and trademarked by the National Association for Information Destruction, Inc.

View the current list of NAID Certified Operations.

Certification Program Overview ( 29K)

Definitions of Certification Program Terms ( 25K)

Certification Application - US (155K)

Certification Application - International (154K)
(Outside of US)

Contact us for certification questions at certification@naidonline.org.