NSA/CSS Approved Paper Shredders
High security shredders evaluated under NSA/CSS specifications
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American government agencies need to adhere to minimum requirements determined by the National Security Agency (NSA) and the Department of Defense (DOD) regarding paper shredders.
High-security paper shredders under NSA/CSS need to reduce paper documents to particles measuring 1/32 by 7/32 inch, or less, which corresponds to security level 6 or DIN P-7.
Top 7 US Government Approved Shredders
This page consists of a list of NSA approved shredders. It also provides additional information about NSA/CSS standards for document destruction.
All NSA shredders below meet the following requirements
- On NSA/CSS Evaluated Product List (EPL): Yes
- TAA Compliant: Yes
- Security Level: Level 6 / DIN P-7
#1 | Destroyit 2600/2 SMC High Security Paper Shredder
“Mobile, reliable and secure cross-cut shredder.”
This cross cut-paper shredder meets NSA/CSS Specification. It features automatic start/stop, quiet dust-free operation, casters for total mobility and a continuous-duty motor, as well as a low maintenance automatic oiler.
- Run-time: Continuous
- Sheet capacity: 6 pages
- Bin capacity: 13 gallon
- Noise level: 52 dB
- Official product page
#2 | Datastroyer 1628 MS
“This shredder can even do top-secret shredding.”
This shredder uses hardened steel cutting cylinders tightly aligned for tearing paper down to an incredibly fine confetti cut. It is durable and designed with the office in mind, with office-friendly cabinets, generous bin capacities, full bin sensors, and casters for better mobility. It also features specially-adjusted drives, thermally protected motors, and automatic start/stop sensors.
- Security level: Level 6 DIN P-7
- Run-time: Continuous
- Sheet capacity: 18 pages
- Bin capacity: 16 gallon
- Noise level: 52 dB
- Official product page
#3 | Datastroyer 502 SF
“An excellent choice for high security shredding.”
This high-security cross-cut shredder comes with an automatic oiler, a 2-gallon case of oil, and starter shredder bags. This shredder extremely high security and heavy-duty. It shreds paper into almost dust-like particles. Additionally, you don’t need to worry about overheating or paper jams. The handy indicator lights will always tell you if it needs any attention.
- Security level: Level 6 / DIN P-7
- Run-time: Continuous
- Sheet capacity: 10 pages
- Bin capacity: 37 gallon
- Noise level: 62 dB
- Official product page
#4 | Intimus 120 CC6
“A quiet and mobile high-security shredder.”
This high-security cross-cut shredder has low noise levels, an integrated auto-reverse function for easy removal of paper jams, and a sealed dust-free design with a robust wooden cabinet. It is mounted on rollers for flexible use and has light indicators for stand-by, a basket full, door open, and paper jam so that you know if it needs any attention.
- Security level: Level 6 DIN P-7
- Run-time: Continuous
- Sheet capacity: 10 pages
- Bin capacity: 32 gallon
- Noise level: 57 dB
- Official product page
#5 | Datastroyer DS-3
“Highly secure and portable paper shredder.”
This small and portable high-security deployment paper shredder is the perfect solution to your deployment or mobile data destruction needs. It features auto-starts and comes in an easily traveling hard case. It meets the NEW NSA/CSS specifications and can shredder paper into dust-like particles, making it super secure.
- Security level:Level 6 DIN P-7
- Sheet capacity: 7 pages
- Bin capacity: 3 gallon
- Noise level: 52 dB
- Official product page
#6 | Fellowes Powershred HS-1010
“Ultra secure and environmentally aware micro-cut shredder.”
Higher-capacity and ultra-fine micro-cut shredder are for your most top-secret documents. It meets NSA security requirements. Its energy savings system helps reduce energy costs and zero energy consumption when inactive. The electronically controlled safety shield stops shredder when it gets opened, and the SilentShred function offers ultra-quiet performance for shared workspaces. This shredder from Fellowes is also known as Fortishred.
- Security level: Level 6 / DIN P-7
- Run-time: Continuous
- Sheet capacity: 10 pages
- Bin capacity: 37 gallon
- Noise level: 62 dB
- Official product page
#7 | HSM Securio B24
“Cross-cut shredder made for durable, safe high quality materials.”
This powerful cross-cut is a desk-side size and high security to help protect sensitive information. It has Jam-stop technology to prevent jams when overloaded, even though its continuous duty operation lets you keep shredding with virtually no downtime. Automatic start/stop functions allow easy use.
- Security level: Level 6 DIN P-7
- Run-time: Continuous
- Sheet capacity: 8 pages
- Bin capacity: 9 gallon
- Noise level: 56 dB
- Official product page
More NSA listed shredding machines
Do you want to see more high-security paper shredders that are NSA/CSS approved? Then check the NSA shredder collection over at our partner Whitaker Brothers.
What are the criteria for an NSA/CSS shredder?
Paper shredders bought by an American Government agency have higher regulatory standards. These rules were introduced to ensure that governments use handled data confidentially. Rules are determined by the Department Of Defence (DOD) and the National Security Agency (NSA).
- DOD guidelines for government paper shredders are applicable for the military, which use the highest security level available. Confidential destruction of the paper data is the primary goal of the DOD.
- NSA guidelines for government shredders apply to all government agencies. The NSA compiles an Evaluated product list of shredders who meet specific data protection criteria.
More info? Read our Paper Shredder Buying Guide.
When is a shredder NSA or DOD approved?
The National Security Agency has divided government data into various security levels, ranging from 1 to security level 6, depending on the snippet size.
Many government agencies fall into security level 3 and deal with Personally Identifiable Information (PII) and Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI). Government institutions that work with Classified Information (CI) fall into the highest security level 6. A DOD compliant paper shredder is always security level 6.
- Security Level 3, Minimal DIN P-4
- Security Level 6, Minimal DIN P-7 (smallest shred size possible)
These security levels correspond to minimal DIN levels for the government paper shredder, and documents used in a DOD agency have to be shredded by a paper shredder of DIN level 7. An agency can always buy a paper shredder with a higher security level. Read more about security levels in our paper shredder guide.
In addition to these rules for the safe destruction of government data, government agencies in the United States of America (USA) need to buy paper shredders under the Trade Agreement Act (TAA).
This includes paper shredders bought from suppliers. Here is where the General Service Administration (GSA) Schedule comes into play.
- The TAA is an international agreement to make global trade more “fair”. Government agencies cannot buy paper shredders from countries that are not included in the TAA.
- GSA Schedule suppliers are certified to sell to government agencies.
What does TAA stand for?
The TAA stands for Trade Agreements Act. The central government created this act to ensure a fair international trade playing field between countries. This includes paper shredders for the government market.
The act requires suppliers and manufacturers to make sure that government paper shredders are ‘substantially’ made within a country under the TAA, read more.
Which countries are not part of the TAA?
Below is a list of countries that are not under the TAA, we did this because most countries in the world are under the TAA. Note that the list mainly consists out of big Asian manufacturing countries.
- China
- India
- Indonesia
- Iran
- Iraq
- Malaysia
- Pakistan
- Russia
- Sri Lanka
Because the list could have changed over time we recommend to check the most recent list of countries that are not TAA Compliant.
Shredder guide
What to look for when buying a secure paper shredder? Read our Paper Shredder Guide.
Paper shredders for offices
By Cara Dettmann/ 8 December 2020