Newsletter Signup
Sign up for our FREE newsletters now!
Data Retention, Security & Access
|
Most companies have lost control of sensitive business data as a result of the popularity of personal computer systems. The trade secrets, financial records and confidential memoranda that were once the province of a secure mainframe computer are now scattered across countless disks and tapes in every corner of the organization. This has made companies much more vulnerable to corporate espionage, the theft of trade secrets, and requests for electronic documents in litigation. With many or all computers connected to the Internet the problem is much wider spread and posses a greater risk to companies and business owners. The solution; a well-crafted, properly implemented data retention policy that can have a huge return on investment. The benefits include: Easier, cheaper fulfillment of requests for electronic documents, Reduced risk of theft of trade secrets and corporate espionage, Segregated privileged files to preserve confidentiality, Established procedures to secure files in the event of a disaster. Policy development should be guided by these risks, and establish retention periods for each category of electronic documents. Once policies were made, Metronet Systems, Inc. can automate the process of appropriately use of company e-mail systems, documents, images and other computerized data and how information will be destroyed, and privileged records are segregated. Ironically, computers can become part of the solution with technologies that facilitate and track data retention practices. Metronet Systems, Inc. can either fully automate or train “in-house” personnel to be familiar with hierarchical storage management programs, operating system security features, and document indexing software that can help. Disaster recovery plan and e-mail and Internet usage policies should be addressed as well. As part of an on-going process, some time might be set-aside for employees to purge their computers of their own electronic archives. Periodic reminders can be issued from computer logon screens and new employees can be educated during orientation sessions. |
Data Retention & Security