The operating standards outlined in this document specify responsibilities for compliance with the Records Management Policy.  (company) personnel engage in one or more of the following roles in the conduct of daily business operations; it is each individual’s responsibility to know and understand the operating standards required for that role. 

 

 

1.        Company As Information Owner

The Company is responsible for providing adequate means to produce, store, access, retain, and destroy company records in order to appropriately mitigate risk and ensure business operations.  This includes programs, tools, technology, facilities, and equipment.

 

2.      Record Author, Record User, Record Custodian

 

Quality Responsibilities

ü        Make and keep full and accurate records, in accordance with the High Quality Information Standards outlined in the Policy, for all business functions for which they are responsible.

 

Accessibility Responsibilities

ü        Ensure the record is accessible in accordance with its security classification

ü        Maintain the media, location, and organization of the record to ensure ongoing access

ü        Create copies of the record, when appropriate, to increase accessibility and/or maintain accessibility for others

 

Protection Responsibilities

ü        Protect the record in accordance with the (company) Security Policy and Standards:

ü        Records are protected in accordance with their security classification

ü        Electronic records are not placed on hard drives, but are backed up on the Company network

ü        Physical records are not placed in personal locations, but are maintained on Company premises

 

Retention Responsibilities

ü        Do not destroy original records

ü        Destroy record copies after their useful life by utilizing the company provided recycling receptacles

 

3.  Record Owner

 

A Record Owner’s overall responsibility is to ensure records have acceptable quality, appropriate accessibility, adequate protection and proper retention. They are responsible to:

ü        ensure that all records are inventoried in the Record Catalog, and that information about the records, such as security classification, assigned retention period, media, location, etc. are correct and complete

ü        attest to compliance with the Records Management Policy and Operating Standards on a periodic basis, and develop and execute any action plans required to become compliant

 

Quality Responsibilities

ü        Ensure full and accurate records are created and kept

ü        Monitor and audit record creation and maintenance as appropriate

ü        Select organization, location and media that support high-quality records

 

Access Responsibilities

ü        Grant and maintain access to information as appropriate

ü        Select and store in the appropriate media and location in order to maximize operations efficiencies and mitigate risk

ü        Organize records in a fashion that maximizes access for operational efficiencies

 

Protection Responsibilities

ü        Ensure that records are protected in an appropriate manner, in accordance with the (company) Security Policy and Standards

ü        Classify and control records in accordance with the (company) Security Policy and Standards

 

Retention Responsibilities

ü        Assure that records are being held in accordance with the (company) Retention Schedule. The Record Owner will maintain records at least as long as the minimum retention period identified on the (company) Retention Schedule.

ü        Not destroy records before the end of their retention period, or if the records are the subject, or it is anticipated that they may be the subject, of a legal or formal request for access, even if the retention period has expired.

ü        Follow the (company) Destruction Procedures for destruction of records that have reached the end of their retention period

 

4.  Offsite Storage Contact

The Offsite Storage Contact is responsible for fulfilling the administrative duties associated with records sent to and returned from offsite storage for their area.  Responsibilities include:

ü        Use of the offsite storage administration system to order and send records

ü        Accurate and complete execution of the Offsite Storage Administration Procedures

ü        Appropriate protection of records while in the possession of the Offsite Storage Contact

 

5.       Security Management Team

The Security Management team is responsible for establishing and maintaining appropriate standards, rules, and controls for access to and protection of Company information resources, in accordance with the (company) Information and Security Policy and Standards.

 

6.       Records Management Team

The Records Management Team is responsible for establishing and maintaining a standardized records management program by developing and administering appropriate policies, procedures, guidelines, and industry standards as part of its program, as well as monitoring and reporting on records management compliance practices.  The team will assist the Company in the appropriate creation, management, and retention of their records.  This will happen through the provision of advice, training, collaboration, recommendation, and measurement of accountability in records management matters.  The Records Management Team is also responsible for the offsite storage administration function, including authorized, secure, and timely sending, retrieving, and destroying of these records.

 

7.       Records Management Steering Committee

The steering committee is responsible for providing guidance and governing the direction of the (company) records management program through decision-making, support, leadership, and communication.  Specific committee roles include:

 

Records Management is responsible to:

ü        Direct the program by bringing forth agendas and items for discussion and approval

ü        Develop team professionals with the skills and expertise required of a leading records management provider

ü        Provide an effective program, encompassing the procedures, standards, tools, and support structures that support the realization of its vision

ü        Create awareness, understanding, and ownership so that all employees can fulfill their roles

ü        Build accountability and ensure compliance through the use of governance models and tools that measure results

 

Other committee members are responsible to:

ü        Ensure the program goals meet business requirements and appropriately mitigate any business risk associated with their area of specialty

ü        Provide guidance and leadership on records management issues and initiatives

 

8.       (company) Management

Management holds ultimate accountability for attestation of compliance with the Records Management Policy and Operating Standards. Management is responsible for assigning appropriate Record Owners.  Management also approves destruction of records as outlined in the Records Destruction Procedures.

 

9.       Internal Audit

Internal Audit is responsible for periodic audits to provide feedback to the company and to the Internal Audit Committee on records management compliance.

 

 

 

 

10.  Continued Business Operations

The CBO Team is responsible for ensuring the company’s business operations will continue in the event of an interruption.  Responsibilities include working with the Company to ensure:

ü        Records will be accessible in the event of record corruption or loss resulting from natural or human disasters. 

ü        Records will be backed up to ensure accessibility against loss or corruption of operating systems, applications and data files.

ü        Back-up and recovery procedures will be implemented and maintained for use in emergency or disaster situations so that access interruption is managed appropriately. 

ü        CBO plans will determine record importance levels (such as vital, important, or irrelevant) and accessibility requirements, as required for a CBO event.