Preservation Of The Integrity Of Electronic Records

By Terry Eastwood This book reports the findings of a research project on the means of protecting the integrity of active and semi-active electronic records. The project, which is commonly referred to as "the UBC Project," was conceived by two of the authors of this book, Luciana Duranti and Terry Eastwood, and conducted between 1994 and 1997. The third author, Heather MacNeil, who worked formally as the principal research assistant on the project, acted as an equal in the research and in the writing of this book. The project investigated a number of fundamental questions that have arisen over the past decade as a consequence of the rapid development and use of computer technology for the creation, maintenance, and preservation of recorded information. One of the first comprehensive studies of the issues associated with the management of electronic records was conducted by the United Nations. The study, commonly known as the ACCIS report, aimed to "develop guidelines for implementation of electronic archives and records management programmes for use by United Nations organizations, taking into account traditional archives and records management practices. " The report of the study of electronic records in eighteen United Nations organizations identified a number of enduring issues. It recognized that the United Nations had to "distinguish between record and non-record material. "l It recognized the problem of ensuring the authenticity of records, which, rather narrowly, it construed as "assuring legality.

One of the biggest challenges faced by any organization today is that of managing electronic records, a vital but complex undertaking involving multiple roles within the organization and strategies that are still evolving. Bringing together for the first time the views, experience and expertise of international experts in the records management field in the public and the private sectors, this book covers the theory and practice of managing electronic records as business and information assets. It focuses on the strategies, systems and procedures necessary to ensure that electronic records are appropriately created, captured, organized and retained over time to meet business and legal requirements. In addition to chapters covering principles, research and developments, there are case studies relating to practice and lessons learned. The chapters are written by a fully international line-up of contributors. Readership: This book explores issues and addresses solutions, not only for records professionals but also for information, IT and business administration specialists, who, as key stakeholders in managing electronic information, may have taken on crucial roles in managing electronic records in their organization. It will also be a key textbook for records management courses.

The federal government generates and increasingly saves a large and growing fraction of its records in electronic form. In 1998, the National Archives and Record Administration (NARA) launched its Electronic Archives (ERA) program to create a system to preserve and provide access to federal electronic records. To assist in this project, NARA asked the NRC to conduct a two-phase study to provide advice as it develops the ERA program. The first two reports (phase one) provided recommendations on design, engineering, and related issues facing the program. This report (phase two) focuses on longer term, more strategic issues including technology trends that will shape the ERA system, archival processes of the ERA, and future evolution of the system. It also provides an assessment of technical and design issues associated with record integrity and authenticity.

As a celebration of Anne Thurston’s pioneering work on records and archives management as an essential basis for demonstrating integrity in government, this excellent volume brings together scholars and practicing archivists to discuss key issues around records as evidence for accountability, transparency and the protection of citizens’ rights. Never before have authors from the developing and developed worlds come together to explore the intersection of records management, public administration and international development. The book covers Thurston’s work, the importance of records management for effective governance and digital records management and preservation in developing countries. Case studies from across Africa enhance the theoretical and practical perspectives taken by the authors. This book is essential reading for scholars and students interested in records management and good governance around the world.

Many organizations do not yet have a formal programme of records management, but increasingly they are recognizing the benefits of well managed records and the serious consequences of inadequate records systems. Establishing records management and maintaining an effective programme requires specialist expertise. This essential manual of practice provides a detailed guide to the concepts, skills and techniques of records management for organizational staff who have a responsibility for setting up, maintaining or restructuring a records management programme. It offers invaluable advice on the management of records in both electronic and traditional paper media, and focuses on the following areas: understanding records management analysing the context for records management classifying records and documenting their context creating and capturing records; managing appraisal, retention and disposition maintaining records and assuring their integrity providing access implementing records management. The appendices provide a wealth of additional information including a list of standards for records management, an annotated bibliography and sources of further information, and details of professional and advisory bodies. Readership: This much needed manual is an indispensable purchase for organizations wishing to introduce better practices for managing their records. The book is intended to be of value to experienced records managers as well as LIS practitioners and newcomers to the field. It should be on the desk of every manager and every information professional with responsibility for records management.

Data integrity is a critical aspect to the design, implementation, and usage of any system which stores, processes, or retrieves data. The overall intent of any data integrity technique is the same: ensure data is recorded exactly as intended and, upon later retrieval, ensure the data is the same as it was when originally recorded. Any alternation to the data is then traced to the person who made the modification. The integrity of data in a patient’s electronic health record is critical to ensuring the safety of the patient. This book is relevant to production systems and quality control systems associated with the manufacture of pharmaceuticals and medical device products and updates the practical information to enable better understanding of the controls applicable to e-records. The book highlights the e-records suitability implementation and associated risk-assessed controls, and e-records handling. The book also provides updated regulatory standards from global regulatory organizations such as MHRA, Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (UK); FDA, Food and Drug Administration (US); National Medical Products Association (China); TGA, Therapeutic Goods Administration (Australia); SIMGP, Russia State Institute of Medicines and Good Practices; and the World Health Organization, to name a few.

Many organizations are moving away from managing records and information in paper form to setting up electronic records management (ERM) systems. There is a range of reasons for this: economic considerations may be the driver for change, or government policy initiatives may be coming into play. Whatever the situation in your organization, this book provides straightforward, practical guidance on how to prepare for and enable ERM. It sets out and explains the issues organizations need to consider in selecting a system, and the procedures required for effective implementation. Help is also given with the complexities of managing hybrid records during an interim period between paper and electronic record management. The book is divided into three main parts covering the preparation for ERM, and its design and implementation. The key areas covered are: the underlying principles the context making a business case for ERM the main issues for design the information survey the file plan appraisal methodology preservation access the main issues for implementation project management procurement change management training the future of information management. Readership: This essential guide should be on the desk of any library and information professional, records manager, archivist or knowledge manager involved in planning and introducing an ERM system, whether in a public or private sector organization.