P 4 or P 5: Which security level makes sense for businesses?
by Wiepa Team on Jun 24, 2026Shredder Security Levels
P 4 or P 5: Which security level is suitable for businesses?
P 4 is a sensible standard for many confidential office documents. P 5 is appropriate when particularly sensitive documents are to be shredded.
When choosing a shredder, it's not just about price, size, or speed. The security level determines how finely paper is shredded and how well confidential information is protected.
Short Answer
For many companies, P 4 is the appropriate security level for confidential office documents. P 5 is suitable when particularly sensitive data is processed, for example, in doctor's offices, law firms, tax consultancies, HR departments, or executive management.
What does P 4 mean?
P 4 describes a security level for paper documents. The paper is shredded into small particles. For many personal and confidential office documents, P 4 is a sensible standard because documents are significantly harder to reconstruct than with simple strip-cut shredding.
What does P 5 mean?
P 5 stands for even finer shredding. This security level is suitable for documents with increased protection requirements. This includes sensitive personnel records, patient data, client files, confidential strategy papers, or documents with particularly sensitive information.
P 4 and P 5 in Comparison
| Criterion | P 4 | P 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Protection Need | confidential | particularly sensitive |
| Typical Use | Office, Administration, Reception | Practice, Law Firm, HR, Management |
| Paper Volume | usually faster to process | often slightly slower due to finer cut |
| Recommendation | good standard for many businesses | consider for increased data protection needs |
When is P 4 sufficient?
P 4 is often sufficient when typical confidential office documents are shredded. This includes printouts with customer data, invoices, offers, internal evaluations, notes, lists, and general personnel records.
When is P 5 appropriate?
P 5 is appropriate when documents are particularly sensitive or when the company consciously wants to establish a higher security level. This primarily concerns areas where personal data, client information, or health data are regularly processed.
Suitable Products in the Wiepa Shop
Decision Aid by Area
- normal office: frequently check P 4
- HR department: P 4 or P 5 depending on documents
- doctor's office: check P 5 for sensitive patient data
- law firm and tax consultancy: sensibly check P 5 for client documents
- executive management: check P 5 for confidential strategy and financial documents
Frequently Asked Questions
Is P 4 GDPR compliant?
P 4 can be suitable for many confidential office documents. The decisive factor is always the specific protection requirement of the documents and the internal data protection concept.
Is P 5 better than P 4?
P 5 shreds paper more finely and offers more protection. For normal office documents, P 4 is often sufficient, but for sensitive data, P 5 can be appropriate.
Which security level is suitable for doctor's offices?
For patient data, P 5 should be considered. Depending on the type of document, volume, and practice organization, a device with high performance may also be important.
Which security level is suitable for law firms?
Law firms and tax consultancies often work with confidential client documents. Therefore, P 5 should be considered for many areas of application.
Sources and Guidance
For data protection, protection requirements, and specific deletion concepts, companies should check official information on the GDPR, DIN 66399, and internal data protection regulations. This article serves as practical guidance for purchasing and office organization.
Other relevant articles: Security Levels according to GDPR, Strip-Cut or Cross-Cut, Organizing Document Shredding in the Office, Shredders for Doctor's Offices and Shredders for Law Firms and Tax Consultancies
Relevant pages: Office Supplies, Office Supply, E-Procurement and Shredders in the Shop
P 4 or P 5? We help you choose.
Wiepa supports companies in Wiesbaden and Rhein-Main with the selection of suitable HSM shredders, security levels, and accessories.
