Data Security: The Disposal Rule Training Course

Protecting sensitive information does not end when a document is no longer needed. This training course explains the FTC Disposal Rule and teaches employees how to securely dispose of consumer information in both physical and digital formats. Participants learn practical methods for destroying sensitive records, managing third-party disposal vendors, and reducing the risk of identity theft, unauthorized access, and compliance violations.

The course is designed for organizations that handle consumer report information, including employers, landlords, financial organizations, universities, and other businesses that collect or maintain sensitive personal and financial data.

Training Objectives

By the end of this course, participants will be able to:

• Understand the origins of the FTC Disposal Rule and its relationship to FACTA consumer protection requirements

• Distinguish consumer report information from general personally identifiable information (PII)

• Apply reasonable measures for securely destroying paper records containing sensitive information

• Understand appropriate methods for digital data destruction and electronic media sanitization

• Evaluate third-party document destruction and data disposal vendors

• Understand the importance of maintaining a secure chain of custody

• Verify and retain documentation such as Certificates of Destruction

• Recognize disposal obligations that may apply to landlords, employers, universities, and other organizations handling consumer information

Course Overview

Proper data disposal is an important part of an organization's information security program. When sensitive records are no longer needed, simply placing them in a regular trash or recycling bin can expose consumer information to unauthorized individuals.

The FTC Disposal Rule establishes requirements for organizations that possess or maintain consumer report information. The course explains what types of information fall under the rule and why organizations must use reasonable measures to properly dispose of information derived from consumer reports.

For paper records, secure disposal can include methods such as cross-cut or micro-cut shredding and other processes that make information unreadable and difficult to reconstruct. Participants learn why simply tearing documents or placing them in ordinary trash may not provide adequate protection.

Digital information presents different disposal challenges. Deleting a file or emptying a computer's recycling or trash folder does not necessarily eliminate the underlying data. The course introduces appropriate approaches to digital data destruction and media sanitization, including approved software-based methods, degaussing, and physical destruction when appropriate.

Organizations that use outside vendors for document shredding or electronic media destruction also have important responsibilities. Participants learn how to evaluate disposal providers, maintain appropriate controls over sensitive information, establish a secure chain of custody, and obtain documentation confirming that destruction has been completed.

The course emphasizes that secure data management includes the entire information lifecycle—from collection and use through storage and eventual disposal. Proper disposal helps organizations protect consumers, reduce security risks, and meet applicable regulatory obligations.

This program is available with English, Spanish, and French closed captions.

Key Benefits

• Learn the fundamentals of the FTC Disposal Rule in a concise training format

• Understand how FACTA relates to secure disposal of consumer report information

• Identify information that requires secure destruction

• Learn practical approaches to paper document destruction

• Understand digital data destruction and electronic media sanitization

• Improve third-party vendor oversight and documentation practices

• Reduce the risk of unauthorized access and identity theft

• Support organizational data security and compliance efforts

• Provide employees with consistent guidance on secure information disposal

• Access training on demand from desktop or mobile devices

Course Details

• Course Length: 9 minutes

• Language Options: English, Spanish, and French closed captions

• Progress Tracking: Included

• Mobile Compatible: Yes

• Participant Guide: Downloadable participant guide included

• Access: Streaming video on-demand access included with license

• LMS Compatibility: Compatible with your LMS or accessible through a hosted LMS platform

• Year Produced: 2026

• SKU: AT241

Who Should Take This Course?

This course is appropriate for employees and organizations that collect, access, store, or dispose of consumer report information, including:

• Employers and HR departments

• Property managers and landlords

• Universities and educational institutions

• Financial and lending organizations

• Compliance and risk management teams

• Administrative and records management personnel

• Information security and IT teams

• Organizations responsible for third-party document destruction

Why Data Disposal Matters

Secure disposal is an essential part of protecting sensitive information. Records that are no longer needed can still contain information that could be used for identity theft, fraud, or unauthorized access.

Employees who understand how and when information should be destroyed can help prevent sensitive records from becoming a security vulnerability. This course provides a concise introduction to the responsibilities organizations have when disposing of consumer information and the practical steps employees can take to support secure disposal practices.