how companies rate
In fact, handling electronic records is a sore spot for far
too many organizations. The survey found that e-records
are a challenge for organizations of all sizes, regardless
of their maturity level. Often, paper and other physical records represent very different sets of issues than
e-records. While the basic principles of intelligent records
management still hold true, e-records require different
procedures and workflow. Organizations must mesh a
strategy with IT so that data is stored in appropriate tiers
and cycles through different systems and storage devices
during its lifecycle.
The study looked at the factors that make leaders stand
out. A key ingredient is their ability to embrace several
strategic elements, including following formal, enterprise-wide policies and programs that are legally credible.
Says Brennan, “In today’s world of growing regulatory
and legal oversight, companies simply cannot afford the
risk and cost associated with records management programs that aren’t comprehensive. The research shows that
there are very clear policies and approaches that drive best
practice results. Once an organization knows where it sits
it can take the appropriate steps to improve processes and
drive the changes needed to build a more effective records
management framework.”
Understanding Best Practices
Achieving outstanding results doesn’t happen by chance.
The Compliance Benchmark Report reports on five key best
practice areas that deliver results and reduce risk exposure.
“Ultimately,” Brennan says, “behaving proactively reduces
the odds of an incident taking place and it allows an orga-
nization to use its data, information and knowledge far
more strategically.”
In the end, a comprehensive framework for records
management is paramount. Organizations that adopt best
practices and work with a provider, such as Iron Mountain,
to conduct a risk assessment, survey and audit records,
and build physical and digital systems to streamline and
automate processes are poised for far greater success.
Concludes Brennan: “Today’s records management
environment is increasingly complex and challenging. But
with the right solutions in place it’s possible to transform
processes, reduce risk, and manage costs.” ▲
full report
There’s much more information available in the complete 2010 Compliant Records Management Benchmark Report. New in this year’s report is a deeper
statistical analysis of the benchmark data, which
reveals the key areas of focus for organizations with
a high degree of maturity — and provides that profile
information to readers as a way to measure your
progress and to inspire you to address compliant
records management.
The full report also includes:
> How your peers are dealing with destruction,
retention and privacy
> How effective and widespread retrieval, access
and indexing practices are
> What’s the latest thinking on managing information created and controlled by end users
> What your peers are doing for training and
best practices around all the information
management categories
> How to build records management support
and accountability across the enterprise
And lots more.
Go to www.ironmountain.com/insights to
download a copy of the complete report.
You’ll also learn how Iron Mountain can help you:
> Evaluate your program and compare it against
industry best practices
> Benefit from more than five decades of records
management expertise
