Privacy is everywhere these days. And as RIM professionals, we must be aware of how privacy laws impact records and information management. But terms like ‘sectoral versus comprehensive regulatory approach,’ ‘cross contextual behavioral advertising,’ and many, different—and often convoluted—definitions of ‘personal data’ can make privacy a difficult topic to stay engaged in. Thankfully, for RIM…
Keeping records longer than needed for legal, regulatory, and business or operational needs exposes companies to significant risks and expenses, particularly in the age of privacy. Despite the threats, companies continue to fall behind in executing defensible dispositions successfully. Disposition is a critical step in the records and information management lifecycle, and a challenge is…
Ever wondered how long a company’s balance sheets have to be kept for tax purposes in Switzerland, or whether sharing personal data with third parties is restricted in Brazil? Maybe your first question is, “Where and how would I even look for those requirements?” In the world of records and information management (RIM), legal research…
April 5, 2023 Virtual Coffee with Consulting: What on Earth is Going on with ChatGPT and What Does it Have to do with IG? ChatGPT is just one of many ventures pushing the boundaries of large language models and AI. The technology is fascinating, but ChatGPT isn’t the only example. And clearly, the sexiness of…
Big buckets have been the trend in recent years, but if they are too big and designed without a sound strategy, unnecessary risks are created for your organization. While everyone wants a simple retention schedule, ignoring necessary exceptions leads to over-retention of records that effectively counteract the benefits of simplicity. The two areas impacting big…
It’s a common mistake in records and information management (RIM) to put all your focus on creating your records retention schedule (RRS) and neglect what comes next: implementation. Lax planning, poor preparation, and a lack of oversight will frustrate even the best efforts in creating an RRS and expose your organization to unnecessary risks. Don’t…
Long gone are the days of intricate departmental records retention schedules—often very long, with duplicative record categories scattered across multiple business areas. Today, a simplified functional (or Big Bucket) records retention schedule (RRS) is the way to go and is now considered industry best practice. A 2018 multi-sectoral survey of practitioners confirmed that a simplified…
A records retention schedule (RRS) is truly the linchpin of a sound and legally defensible records management program. Each RRS must be designed to provide a balance between robust coverage of business operations on the one hand, and simplicity of use and administration on the other. A bottom-up approach that incorporates input from businesses and…
Litigation is stressful! Its adversarial, complex, and mistakes can lead to bad outcomes, including penalties and increased costs for your organization. As a Records Management Professional, what can you do to prepare? This joint presentation with the ARMA Triangle and ARMA Madison Chapters aims to introduce some RIM steps and considerations that will make the…
If there’s one thing that the past couple of years have taught us, it’s to expect the unexpected. Crises are sure to affect us all, whether it’s through extreme weather, natural disasters, or global pandemics. In these unpredictable times, having a strong business continuity plan has never been more important. A pillar in any business…