The original item was published from August 9, 2024 10:58 AM to August 9, 2024 11:25 AM
Electronic or Digital records retention is important and required for every government agency.
Electronic records refer to any information created, received, maintained, or transmitted digitally. This includes emails, spreadsheets, word documents, images, videos, and audio files. Electronic records are essential for any organization as they contain critical information that is necessary for decision-making, collaboration, and compliance.
But maintaining and archiving digital records presents several management, security, compliance, and storage hurdles that every office must cross. Security risks arise from unauthorized access, data breaches, and cyberattacks. Compliance issues can arise from failure to adhere to regulatory requirements of the state set in RCW and WAC. Storage limitations can lead to expensive infrastructure upgrades. There are a number of things to consider, but by doing so an office may avoid the pitfalls of poor records management.
In the long run you will be happy with the work you put into better management of digital records as it saves physical space, reduces paper waste, and improves access and retrieval of information while creating efficiencies and cost reductions on staff time once a good program is put into place.
This week Rachel Wilson, Records Consultant, from the Washington State Archives provided a training on digital records archiving. The short training helps you understand the pitfalls and challenges of records management, while arming you with tools and information to make informed decisions on how to best manage your records.
Visit the WACO Education Hub to view the recorded training now: https://countyofficials.org/240/Office-Operations