Start the new year secure

File being labeled with a barcode for secure tracking and records management

Enhanced barcode labeling for accurate file tracking and secure records management.

Get Organized for a Smarter 2026

As the new year begins, many businesses focus on setting goals, improving efficiency, and reducing unnecessary risk. While financial planning and operations often take center stage in January, records management is an area that should not be overlooked. The way your organization stores, scans, and destroys documents plays a critical role in security, compliance, and day-to-day productivity.

January is the ideal time to evaluate your records management strategy and make improvements that will benefit your business all year long.

Why the New Year Is the Right Time to Review Your Records

Over time, paper files, digital records, and stored documents can quietly accumulate. Without a clear system in place, this can lead to:

  • Increased security risks

  • Higher storage costs

  • Difficulty locating important files

  • Compliance and retention issues

Starting fresh in the new year gives businesses the opportunity to clean up outdated records, streamline access to active files, and ensure sensitive information is properly protected.

Secure Storage: Protect What You Need to Keep

Not all records can—or should—be destroyed. Many documents must be retained for legal, regulatory, or operational reasons. Secure records storage ensures that important files are protected while remaining accessible when needed.

National Archives storage solutions provide:

  • Controlled access to sensitive records

  • Itemized tracking and fast retrieval

  • Protection from loss, damage, or unauthorized access

Reviewing your storage needs at the start of the year can help eliminate unnecessary boxes, reduce costs, and improve organization.

Document Scanning: Start the Year by Reducing Paper

Paper documents can slow down workflows and create security vulnerabilities. Converting physical records into digital files allows businesses to work more efficiently while strengthening data protection.

Document scanning offers:

  • Searchable digital files

  • Easier sharing and collaboration

  • Remote access to important documents

  • Improved disaster recovery

For organizations with large volumes of paper, our Document Imaging services make it easy to securely send documents for digital conversion—no matter where you’re located.

Secure Shredding: Eliminate Risk Before It Builds

Keeping documents longer than necessary increases the risk of data exposure. January is a smart time to review retention schedules and securely destroy records that are no longer required.

Professional shredding services help businesses:

  • Stay compliant with retention regulations

  • Protect sensitive and confidential information

  • Free up office and storage space

  • Reduce liability

Shredding outdated records early in the year helps prevent risk from accumulating as business activity increases.

Start the Year with a Smarter Records Strategy

A proactive approach to records management sets the tone for the year ahead. By combining secure storage, document scanning, and certified shredding, businesses can improve efficiency, enhance security, and maintain compliance.

If your organization is beginning the year with overflowing file cabinets, rising storage costs, or concerns about data security, now is the time to call National Archives.

National Archives, Inc. provides trusted records management solutions designed to help businesses start the year organized, protected, and prepared for what’s ahead.

Start the new year secure—and keep it that way all year long.

Next
Next

BEWARE THE GRINCH