Over the last couple of decades many good things have come out of the United States related to Records and Information Management, and have been of value in Canada as well.
For example there is DoD 5015.2 [1] dating back to the mid 1990s and remains a defacto standard for EDRMS (Electronic Document and Records Management System) software today and is incorporated into RFPs here in Canada as a mandatory requirement, simplifying the acquisition process.
The Office of Management and Budget (OMB), Executive Office of the President in the US just released an updated Circular No. A-130.
What does this have to do with Information Governance you ask?
Briefly, the Circular establishes general policy for information governance, acquisitions, records management, open data, workforce, security and privacy. It also emphasizes the role of both privacy and security in the Federal information life cycle. Importantly, it represents a shift from viewing security and privacy requirements as compliance exercises to understanding security and privacy as critical elements of a comprehensive, strategic, and continuous risk-based program at Federal agencies.
In addition, the document covers the Information Management Policy, mentioning information lifecycle, budgeting acquisition and use of information technology, the incorporation of records management into design, development and implementation of information systems, and training personnel in the required skills.
Clearly, the US government has taken the implementation of Information Governance at all levels as a critical business process.
What I do know from experience is that major initiatives like this do not go away and frequently get picked up and incorporated into Canadian legislation and regulation.
Information Governance is not just the latest ‘vendor buzz’ and will not be going away anytime soon.
NOW, is the time to get started on your IG initiative.
Rick Stirling,
WesternIM