Category: Press Releases

Security Engineered Machinery Supports Asheville Man’s Budding Paper Shredder Business

January 14, 2021 at 8:30 am by Amanda Canale

Security Engineered Machinery, Co., Inc. (SEM), global leader in high security information end-of-life solutions, donated a commercial-grade paper shredder to Asheville, NC resident Austin Ferrell after seeing a local news story featuring Ferrell and his years-long passion for shredding. Ferrell, who goes by the alter-ego “Austin Shreds,” has made a name for himself in his local community by spending his free time shredding paper documents for area businesses and organizations. Ferrell operates out of an office he shares with his mother, Janet Price-Ferrell.

“As a parent of a kid with a disability, you’re always looking for something that your kid enjoys,” said Price-Ferrell. “He will shred for three or four hours a day!” Price-Ferrell added that she was ecstatic for her son to receive his new shredder, adding that “The one he was using did not keep up with him!”

An advocate for others like Austin with intellectual disabilities, Janet Price-Ferrell is also Executive Director of FIRST, a non-profit organization that provides persons with disabilities and their families with programs and advocacy to support and foster healthy, inclusive, and self-determined lives.

“All of us at SEM were so touched by Austin’s story and our shared passion for paper shredding,” added Heidi White, SEM Director of Marketing. “SEM’s heritage is in paper shredders — our company founder actually innovated the world’s first paper disintegrator — and so we wanted to show our support for this incredible young man and his business venture by sending him an equipment upgrade.”

SEM arranged for white glove shipment of a brand-new paper shredder for Ferrell to utilize. The SEM Model 2125PSP is a robust, commercial grade shredder, making it faster, more durable, and far less prone to jams than Ferrell’s existing shredder. It also offers a DIN 66399 P-5 (2mm x 15mm cross-cut) final particle size, making it a more secure shredder option for Ferrell’s blooming business.

When he received his new shredder, Austin was ecstatic to say the least. “He kept saying, ‘awesome,’” said Price-Ferrell. “He shredded for three hours straight and it never overheated.”

Those living in the Asheville, NC area can bring their paper documents to Austin Shreds for destruction in exchange for a donation. To learn more, visit the Austin Shreds Facebook page. To see Austin and the paper shredder in action, visit our YouTube page here.

Austin Ferrell of Austin Shreds
Austin Ferrell of Austin Shreds

Security Engineered Machinery Destruction Devices Showcased in Google Data Center Security Video

September 21, 2020 at 5:17 pm by Amanda Canale

Security Engineered Machinery (SEM), global leader in high security end-of-life data destruction, was recently showcased in Google’s Data Center – Security Risk and Management video. The video, which was published to YouTube, showcases Google’s abundant commitment to data protection by virtually touring visitors through each step of the multi-layered security system.

The video details the six-layer security system the protects data within all Google data centers, ranging from smart fences and patrols that surround the edges of a data center property to the critical physical destruction of hard disk drives (HDDs) and solid state drives (SSDs) once they have reached the end of their useful life. Each additional measure adds a level of complexity and specificity, as even entering the building after initial security outside requires an extra identification check and an iris scan.

The sixth and final layer, which consists of erasing and physically destroying HDDs and SSDs, is showcased at the end of the video with SEM hard drive destruction equipment. Custom engineered to Google’s specifications, the devices shred high volumes of enterprise drives into tiny strips of metal, effectively destroying the platters of the drives, rendering them completely useless.

SEM hard drive destruction equipment can be seen in use in Google’s Data Center – Security Risk and Management video.

“SEM has always been about protecting information from those who wish us harm,” said Andrew Kelleher, CEO and President of SEM. “After 50 years of working with the US Government to protect classified information, it only makes sense for our business to extend to protect individual citizens’ information as well in areas like data centers that house private, sensitive information,” Kelleher added.

The physical destruction location is referred to as “the mysterious sixth layer” by Wong, the narrator of the video. The smallest number of building personnel are allowed in this data destruction room, where drives must be passed through a locker system to even reach the inside the room.

“We are honored to have our machines in use by one of tech’s greatest innovators,” commented Ben Figueroa, Strategic Account Manager at SEM. “We pride ourselves on having the most efficient, secure end-of-life solutions for sensitive data, and to be showcased in this video by one of the world’s largest data holders is a sign we are continuing to engineer our products with the future in mind.”

SEM additionally manufactures destruction devices that are capable of destroying paper, optical media, SSDs, and other electronic media devices for commercial and government clients around the world.

Security Engineered Machinery Releases Information Destruction 101 for Executive Branch Agencies

June 9, 2020 at 1:46 pm by Paul Falcone

Security Engineered Machinery (SEM), global leader in classified end-of-life data destruction, released Information Destruction 101, a comprehensive informational presentation for Executive branch agencies. The presentation breaks down the latest destruction requirements from the National Security Agency’s (NSA) Evaluated Product Lists as well as the Information Security Oversight Office’s (ISOO) latest Notices regarding Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI). SEM released the presentation in response to numerous mandate and classification changes for sensitive information that have occurred over the past two years.

Within the presentation, viewers can learn the latest requirements for the destruction of classified, CUI, and Unclassified materials including paper, optical media (including CDs, DVDs, and BDs), hard disk drives (HDDs), solid state drives (SSDs), and other small electronic media devices. For example, classified and CUI paper must be destroyed to a 1mm x 5mm final particle size, which is outlined in the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Special Publication 800-88 and referenced by both the NSA and ISOO.

“It can be overwhelming to assimilate the various regulatory requirements for classified, CUI, and sensitive end-of-life data destruction in the federal space,” commented Heidi White, SEM’s Director of Marketing and presenter in the Information Destruction 101. “Providing the most up-to-date information in an easy to digest format seemed like the ideal way to assist our executive agency partners in understanding all of the intricacies of information end-of-life destruction requirements.”

SEM has long been at the forefront of educating both the data destruction industry and the executive branch agencies with whom they partner. Since developing the world’s first disintegrator for the United States Navy over 50 years ago, SEM has been vigilant in developing technology and equipment to meet each new destruction mandate.

“It is our responsibility to our partners around the world that we take the often-complicated wording of government policy and break it down into simple, direct messages,” said Bryan Cunic, Director of Sales at SEM. “We’re happy to have this resource available to anyone for training or educational purposes.”

The presentation can be found on SEM’s website, along with other resources to aid in understanding the NSA’s Evaluated Products Lists, CUI mandates, and other industry information security regulations.

Security Engineered Machinery Donates to Local Habitat for Humanity #BeamOfHope Fund

June 4, 2020 at 3:41 pm by Flora Knolton

Security Engineered Machinery Co., Inc. (SEM), global leader in high security information end-of-life solutions, donated $2,500 to the Habitat for Humanity MetroWest/Greater Worcester (Habitat) #BeamOfHope fund to support local veteran families in need during the coronavirus crisis. During a fundraising drive in the month of May, SEM employees pledged $1,250 and SEM provided a 100% match.

“During the current pandemic, Habitat for Humanity made a plea for some desperately-needed funds, and SEM answered the call,” commented Nicholas Cakounes, SEM Executive Vice President. “We’ve partnered with this incredible organization in the past, and we’d hate to see this crisis leave them unable to assist veterans who are struggling to find or keep housing.”

As a Veteran-owned company that supplies critical equipment to the Department of Defense and other government organizations, SEM is committed to Habitat’s mission of assisting Veterans. Since 2018, SEM has participated annually in Operation Playhouse, a unique program offered through Habitat for Humanity enabling local businesses and organizations to build and donate a custom playhouse to benefit the children of local veterans and military personnel. Habitat’s #BeamOfHope Crisis Fund was implemented as the organization is struggling for revenue amid a crisis where not many people are suited to donate due to the impact of the global coronavirus pandemic. SEM stands with Habitat in hopes they can continue serving those most in need.

“We were honored to give to Habitat for Humanity as their non-profit does so much good for veterans who need homes. We hope this donation along with others helps them serve those who need it most and to survive this financial crisis,” added David DiTullio, SEM’s Vice President of Finance.

Deborah Huegel, Vice President of Philanthropy of Metrowest Habitat for Humanity, commented, “We are so grateful for SEM’s support of local veteran families, especially during this health crisis when so many families are having a tough time surviving the economy’s upheaval.  SEM has been and is a wonderful supporter, and we thank them from the bottom of our hearts for being so generous!  It will be put to good use protecting those who are vulnerable.”

SEM’s 2020 Operation Playhouse build, originally scheduled for this past May, has been postponed to October of 2020 due to COVID-19.

New CUI Directive Defines Latest Targets and Final Implementation Dates for all Executive Branches

May 27, 2020 at 8:46 pm by Flora Knolton


The Latest ISOO announcement details new target dates for policy, training, and implementation.

WESTBOROUGH, MA, May 26, 2020 —On 14 May 2020, the Information Security Oversight Office (ISOO) released CUI Notice 2020-01: CUI Program Implementation Deadlines (the “Notice”), which includes specific dates of implementation and deadlines for affected government agencies that handle or store Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI). The Notice applies to all Executive Branch agencies.

The Notice references 30 June 2020 as the deadline for the initialization of an awareness campaign for workforces within agencies that have access to CUI. By this date it is expected that relevant agencies will be able to define and identify potential CUI within an office as well as summarize the actionable plan the office will follow to properly store, dispose, and in the case of legacy material, re-mark and reuse said CUI information.

The deadline for agencies to draft their policies detailing CUI guidelines moving forward is 31 December 2020. By this date, now current policies must be rescinded or modified with a policy that satisfies the new mandates set by ISOO for individual agencies to follow, and these policies will be implemented over the course of the following calendar year. The use of any Classification Marking Tools (CMTs) in the labeling and marking of CUI materials must also be updated by the 31 December 2020 date.

“The CUI implementation timeline is a critical step towards data security in the U.S.,” said Andrew Kelleher, President and CEO of Security Engineered Machinery (SEM). “We applaud ISOO for their tireless efforts in safeguarding CUI. By ensuring all agencies are storing, labeling, and destroying CUI data appropriately, we can help protect government agencies and the citizens of our country as a whole.”

All physical safeguards must be in place by 31 December 2021, including how an agency ensures CUI is kept out of sight and out of reach from those who do not have access. All agencies that store CUI information in Federal Information Systems must additionally have those systems updated and configured to no lower than Moderate Confidentiality impact value, as outlined in 32 CFR 2002.14.

In addition, training on the policy for an agency’s workforce including sub-agencies must be implemented and completed by 31 December 2021. This includes detailing CUI’s purpose, individual responsibility, and destruction requirements. Destruction requirements for end-of-life CUI should be as detailed as possible and, at a minimum, follow specifications outlined by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Special Publication 800-88, Guidelines for Media Sanitization. It should be noted that NIST 800-88 specifically states that paper containing sensitive information such as CUI must be destroyed to a 1mmx5mm final particle size at end-of-life, which is the same final particle specification as classified information destruction.

“Technology advancements have made it easier for criminals to reconstruct data, whether on digital or traditional media,” added Heidi White, SEM’s Director of Marketing. “Ensuring that end-of-life media is destroyed to the appropriate specifications, which for CUI is NIST 800-88 standards, cannot be overstated.”

The Notice can be read in its entirety here.

Security Engineered Machinery Donates to Local Eagle Scout Project for Children

February 6, 2020 at 6:48 pm by Paul Falcone

 

Benjamin Duby with his constructed Gaga Ball Pit.

Security Engineered Machinery donated monetary funds to the Eagle Scout project of Benjamin Timothy Duby of Worcester, MA. The project, which began in late 2019, was to construct a Gaga Ball Pit for the students of Wawecus Road School in Worcester, MA to be able to use during recess. Duby recruited family members and friends to aid in the construction after securing the funding from SEM and additional partners.

Benjamin worked as an intern for SEM in the past in both the manufacturing and shipping departments between his own school semesters. In his initial proposal for the project and funding, Duby stated: “Being a small elementary school, there is little budget for a playground and I noticed that another school one mile away had a playground that was much larger and more extensive. Building these pits will provide kids with a safe game to play at recess and a way to stay active.”

The pit, known as a Gaga Ball Pit, is a last person standing arena game where players of all ages bounce a ball towards each other in an attempt to make contact with a player below their legs. If a player is hit by the ball, they are out of the game, and this continues until there is a single player remaining.

“We’ve seen the work ethic and values that Benjamin holds when he has assisted us through his internship,” said Andrew Kelleher, President and CEO of SEM. “Therefore, when he asked if we were willing to help him and the children of Wawecus Road School, it was a very easy decision to make.”

Throughout the 52 years they have been in business, SEM has consistently given back to the community they’ve called home for the last half a century. In the last few months alone, SEM has donated hundreds of pounds of food to the Worcester County Food Bank, provided over 80 toys for less fortunate children from Westborough, MA over the holidays, and built a log cabin playhouse for a local veteran family.

Mr. Duby completed his Eagle Scout project on December 13th and passed the Eagle Scout board of review on January 28th, which is no small feat for a scout to achieve.

Security Engineered Machinery Announces Two Key Hires

January 8, 2020 at 7:33 pm by Heidi White
david_wesolowski_david_ditullio
David DiTullio, VP of Finance, and David Wesolowski, Director of Operations

Security Engineered Machinery is pleased to announce that David DiTullio and David Wesolowski have joined the team as Vice President of Finance and Director of Operations, respectively. The announcement was made by Andrew Kelleher, President and CEO of SEM.

David DiTullio joins SEM with over two decades of manufacturing finance experience, most recently as Director of Financial Planning and Analysis at Oxford Instruments. He has held similar roles at NEC Energy Solutions, UTC Fire and Security, and Nypro, Inc. In his role as VP of Finance at SEM, Mr. DiTullio will be responsible for all financial aspects of the company including financial management, cost accounting, information technology, and cash management. Mr. DiTullio received both a BS in Economics-Finance and an MBA in Corporate Finance from Bentley College.

David Wesolowski has 20 years of experience as an operations leader focused on increasing efficiency and productivity while improving company culture. Prior to joining SEM, Mr. Wesolowski worked for Thermo Fisher Scientific, most recently as Director of Operations and Site Leader. With proven experience in business acumen, improving the customer experience, employee engagement and development, and project management, Mr. Wesolowski will be primarily responsible for engineering, procurement, service, manufacturing, and warehouse operations. Mr. Wesolowski received a BS in Business Administration from Roger Williams University and an MBA from Bryant University.

“David DiTullio brings 23 years of finance experience to the team with targeted expertise in leadership, analysis and forecasting, cost accounting, and financial reporting in the manufacturing sector,” said Mr. Kelleher. “Just as impressive, David Wesolowski has over 20 years of multi-faceted operations experience with targeted expertise in operational efficiency, lean manufacturing, client relations, teambuilding, and metric management and reporting. Both Davids’ impressive experience is complimented by their exemplary personal attributes including integrity, dedication, and positivity, making them a perfect fit for SEM.”

Mr. DiTullio and Mr. Wesolowski will be working out of the company’s corporate headquarters in Westborough, MA.

Security Engineered Machinery Donates Paper Shredder to Retired Marine Major

November 25, 2019 at 7:46 pm by Paul Falcone

Industry-leading data destruction device manufacturer provides Model 2125P paper shredder to retired US Marine Major James Manel as a thank you for his military service

WESTBOROUGH, MA, November 25, 2019 — Security Engineered Machinery Co., Inc. (SEM), global leader in high security information end-of-life solutions, donated a new Model 2125P cross-cut paper shredder to retired US Marine Major James Manel. Major Manel, a longstanding user of SEM equipment, served 27 years of active duty including numerous senior intelligence roles as well as two deployments to Iraq.

Major James Manel, retired US Marine Corps, with his new SEM 2125P paper shredder

“I have used SEM shredding equipment across the spectrum of use cases, from Division G-2 staff to service level headquarters in the Pentagon as well as at intelligence components,” commented Major Manel. “SEM shredders have provided a class-leading level of durability and performance, both at home and deployed, that ensure the complete destruction of documents and provide peace of mind. Now, using the SEM 2125P in the home office brings professional quality and reliability as well as that same peace of mind to residential data security for my family. It also makes economic sense when you consider the monetary and time cost of home use shredders and how often they have to be replaced and the frustration of using them. SEM shredders truly have been a lifetime partner for data destruction in my professional life, and now at home as well.”

SEM learned of Major Manel after he had purchased a SEM paper shredder from a third-party surplus site. Upon receiving the shredder, Major Manel noted that it had a damaged cutting head and was missing both a power cord and automatic oiler, at which time he contacted SEM to procure replacement parts.

Command photo of Major James Manel during his time as Commanding Officer of the Marine Detachment at Defense Language Institute, Foreign Language Center, Monterey, CA

“When we learned that Major Manel had received a non-working SEM shredder, even though it was from a third-party, we knew we wanted to provide a replacement,” said Heidi White, SEM Director of Marketing. “Like countless other Veterans, Major Manel has made extensive personal sacrifices in support of our country for which we can never adequately thank him, and providing him with a new shredder was our small way of showing our endless gratitude.”

SEM cautions never to buy SEM data destruction devices from third-party surplus sites, noting that these devices are typically used, in non-working condition, and do not include any type of warranty. In contrast, every device sold by SEM or an authorized SEM reseller includes a warranty and access to SEM’s award-winning customer support team.

“Unfortunately, we do see this quite a bit, and we consistently caution people against buying SEM products from non-authorized sites,” noted Bryan Cunic, SEM Director of Customer Care. “Since we cannot replace every non-working shredder, we do encourage people to contact SEM prior to purchasing from a third-party to ensure the vendor is an authorized reseller. This quick phone call or email can save a lot of headaches in the long run.”

A Veteran-owned company, SEM has been the leading supplier of high security data destruction devices to the federal government and its entities for over 50 years. In 1968, SEM founder Leonard Rosen invented the world’s first high security paper disintegrator, and today SEM continues to innovate new products to destroy classified and sensitive data stored on a variety of media, both traditional and digital.

“There really is no other manufacturer that matches what SEM makes,” added Major Manel. SEM makes hardcopy destruction convenient and reliable in my experience. I am a huge fan of SEM products!”

Thank you, Major Manel, for your service.

The Move to 5G and Increased Data Size will Introduce Both New and Familiar Security Risks

October 31, 2019 at 12:25 pm by Paul Falcone

Destroying storage devices at end-of-life will be critical as data centers utilize new tech.WESTBOROUGH, MA, October 29, 2019 —Security Engineered Machinery Co., Inc. (SEM), global leader in high security information end-of-life solutions, published a whitepaper warning of the security risks that will be introduced as the transition from 4G to 5G rolls out over the next few years. The paper, written by SEM President Andrew Kelleher, stresses the criticality of having proper data decommissioning policies and equipment to securely destroy physical media that holds sensitive information in data centers around the world.

“We have seen the world’s information all move towards the digital format over the last decade with our communication, the internet, and streaming entertainment,” commented Kelleher. “Now, the upcoming transition to the 5G network will allow larger, more dense data to move at faster speeds to more people than ever before. Data centers will have to scale their technology in-house to meet these latest technological advancements and it is imperative that obsolete drives are disposed of properly.”

For consumers of digital media and content creators, this 5G rollout is exciting news. For businesses that store and handle data, however, this transition will present some costly, high security risk challenges. One often overlooked risk in the digital age comes in the form of data disposal and destruction. With the growing threat to cybersecurity, where an attempted attack happens every 39 seconds, physical end-of-life destruction is often treated as a less immediate concern. The fact is that the improper disposal of physical media can lead to devastating effects to government entities, individual companies, organizations, and consumers.

“It is critical for companies to acknowledge and address the security challenges that these changes will present as old media is replaced, and having a proper plan and policy will be crucial to a secure transition,” Kelleher continued. “Planning now can protect the future of consumers, data centers, and individual companies that host their data in data centers as the transition to the future begins.”

To read the whitepaper, click here.