When disposing of old records, which method constitutes proper destruction?

• A. Burning without records.
• B. Deleting from system only, leaving physical copies.
• C. Shredding or secure disposal with documentation.
• D. Keeping indefinitely without policy.

Answer: (C)

Proper destruction of records requires securely disposing of both physical and digital copies and keeping documentation to prove what was destroyed, when, and by whom. Physically destroying records—shredding or using a qualified secure disposal service—ensures the material can’t be recovered, while securely erasing digital records or destroying the storage media prevents electronic access. A destruction log or certificate provides the audit trail needed to show compliance with retention policies and privacy regulations. Deleting from the system alone leaves physical copies in place, and destroying without documentation or policy leaves no verifiable proof of destruction; keeping records indefinitely without a disposal policy also fails to meet proper disposal standards.