IGW Blog

Leveraging IG Frameworks to Support Legal Hold Procedures In today’s data-driven world, organizations are producing, storing, and managing vast amounts of digital information. This explosion of data has made effective Information Governance (IG) more crucial than ever, particularly when it comes to legal compliance. One of the key areas where a strong IG framework plays a critical role is in supporting legal holds—the process of preserving information that may be relevant to litigation or regulatory investigations. In this blog post, [...]

How Information Governance Supports Your Data Disciplines Information governance supports an organization’s data disciplines by establishing comprehensive policies and procedures that ensure the effective management, protection, and utilization of data across those data disciplines. Here is how IG supports each data discipline: eDiscovery Efficient Data Management: IG provides structure and organization to data, making it easier to locate and retrieve information during identification, preservation and collection. Retention and Disposal Policies: By enforcing retention and disposal policies, IG ensures that relevant information is [...]

The Importance of a Robust Cybersecurity Incident Response Plan With cyberattacks becoming more sophisticated, organizations must prepare for the inevitability of a breach. The faster you can detect and respond to an incident, the better your chances of minimizing the damage. This is where a robust Cybersecurity Incident Response Plan (CIRP) comes into play. In this blog post, we’ll explore the importance of having a comprehensive incident response plan, key components of the plan, and best practices for implementing it [...]

As we increasingly rely on technology for communication, commerce, and daily tasks, the need to protect our personal information has never been greater. This blog will explore why information privacy is so important, the potential risks of inadequate privacy measures, and what steps we can take to safeguard our data. Understanding Information Privacy Information privacy refers to the right to have control over how your personal information is collected, used, and shared. This includes data such as your name, address, [...]

With vast amounts of data generated daily, managing this information effectively and securely is paramount. This is where information governance (IG) comes into play. A key aspect of IG is addressing risk and ensuring compliance with relevant laws and regulations. This blog post delves into the critical relationship between risk, compliance, and information governance, highlighting best practices and strategies for effective management. Understanding Information Governance Information governance refers to the overall strategy and processes an organization uses to manage its [...]

The concept of "infonomics" encapsulates this notion by treating information as a critical business asset, akin to traditional physical and financial assets. This article explores the principles of infonomics, its significance, and how organizations can leverage information to gain a competitive edge. Understanding Infonomics Infonomics, a term coined by Gartner analyst Douglas Laney, refers to the theory, practice, and management of information as an actual business asset. It involves valuing, accounting for, and managing information with the same rigor as [...]

As organizations increasingly rely on digital technologies, the management of records and information has evolved to embrace a range of sophisticated digital tools. Digital Records and Information Management (RIM) tools offer advanced capabilities for organizing, securing, and retrieving records efficiently. This article explores various digital RIM tools, their features, and their benefits in improving operational efficiency and information security. Key Features of Digital RIM Tools Document Management Systems (DMS):    - Centralized Repository: DMS provides a centralized location for storing and [...]

In the modern business landscape, data has become an invaluable asset, driving decision-making, innovation, and growth. However, with the increasing reliance on data, privacy risks have become a significant concern for organizations. Privacy risks refer to the potential threats and vulnerabilities related to the collection, storage, use, and sharing of personal information. Understanding the relationship between privacy risk and organizational risk is crucial for developing effective risk management strategies that protect both individuals' privacy and the organization's interests. Understanding Privacy [...]

Data governance refers to the management of data availability, usability, integrity, and security within an organization. It encompasses the policies, processes, and standards that ensure data is handled properly throughout its lifecycle. Implementing robust data governance can bring numerous benefits to businesses, ranging from improved decision-making to enhanced regulatory compliance. This blog post will explore the key business benefits of data governance and why it should be a priority for every organization. Improved Decision-Making One of the most significant benefits [...]

The eDiscovery market, encompassing the tools and services used for identifying, collecting, and producing electronically stored information (ESI) in legal proceedings, has experienced significant growth in recent years. As organizations generate increasing volumes of digital data, the demand for efficient eDiscovery solutions continues to rise. This article explores the current state of the eDiscovery market, its growth drivers, and projections for 2024 and beyond. Current Market Overview As of 2024, the eDiscovery market has matured into a robust sector, driven [...]

In the digital age, the preservation of information has become a critical concern for state and local governments. Digital preservation involves the processes and activities required to ensure that digital information remains accessible and usable over time. This is especially important for government entities that manage vast amounts of data, including public records, legal documents, historical archives, and more. This blog post will explore the importance of digital preservation in state and local government, the challenges involved, and best practices [...]

At Seyfarth, we understand that great people are the key to our success, and we provide the opportunities to match. If you join us, you’ll work with state-of-the-art technology in a friendly and professional environment, and we will continue to invest in your professional development. If you want the freedom to grow at a firm that is invested in your future, keep reading. THE OPPORTUNITY: As the Information Governance Manager, you will be responsible for the development and implementation of [...]

In an era where data is a valuable commodity, privacy risk assessment has become a crucial practice for organizations aiming to protect personal information and maintain trust. As data breaches and cyber threats continue to rise, assessing privacy risks is not only a regulatory requirement but also a vital component of a robust data protection strategy. This blog post will explore the concept of privacy risk assessment, its importance, and the steps involved in conducting an effective assessment. What is [...]

As we step into 2024, the landscape of electronic discovery (e-discovery) in legal proceedings continues to evolve rapidly. With the exponential growth of digital data, legal professionals face new and complex challenges in managing and extracting relevant information for litigation. Here are some of the key e-discovery challenges that are shaping the legal landscape this year: Volume and Variety of Data   The sheer volume of digital data continues to grow at an unprecedented rate. In 2024, organizations generate vast amounts [...]

Digital preservation is the process of maintaining, archiving, and ensuring the longevity of digital information. As we generate and rely on vast amounts of digital data, preserving this information for future access and use has become a critical task. However, digital preservation presents a unique set of challenges that organizations must address to ensure the integrity and accessibility of their digital assets over time. This blog post explores the key challenges of digital preservation and offers insights into overcoming them. [...]

In 2024, the landscape of content services platforms (CSPs) continues to evolve, driven by the increasing demand for efficient digital content management. These platforms offer comprehensive solutions for creating, managing, storing, and distributing content, catering to organizations' diverse needs across various industries. Whether you're looking to streamline your document management processes, enhance collaboration, or improve regulatory compliance, the right CSP can make all the difference. This blog post will explore some of the best content services platforms in 2024, highlighting [...]

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming industries and revolutionizing the way we live and work. From personalized recommendations to predictive analytics, AI's capabilities are vast and its potential seems limitless. However, as AI systems increasingly rely on vast amounts of personal data, concerns about information privacy have come to the forefront. This blog post explores the intersection of AI and information privacy, the challenges involved, and how we can balance innovation with the protection of personal data. The Role of AI [...]

With vast amounts of data generated daily, managing this information effectively and securely is paramount. This is where information governance (IG) comes into play. A key aspect of IG is addressing risk and ensuring compliance with relevant laws and regulations. This blog post delves into the critical relationship between risk, compliance, and information governance, highlighting best practices and strategies for effective management. Understanding Information Governance Information governance refers to the overall strategy and processes an organization uses to manage its [...]

In our modern, network-connected world, we often take software and hardware compatibility for granted. However, this compatibility does not happen magically and it’s the result of a ‘scanner driver’ which allows document scanner devices to seamlessly communicate with software applications. The TWAIN Working Group (TWG), a not-for-profit organization, was designed to provide and foster a free, open source, universal public standard which links applications and image acquisition devices such as scanners and cameras. The Group was founded in 1992, a [...]

2018 is going to be remembered for a lot of reasons, many of which are not particularly positive. Perhaps the most germane to what we care about here at InfoGov World is that 2018 marked the year when data privacy became not only a buzzword, but a public reality. Even if you weren’t someone who followed data privacy closely (though if you are a reader of the magazine, we imagine you might be), the seemingly nonstop slew of high-profile breaches [...]

These days, one and done doesn’t cut it. Emerging technologies are keeping us on our toes. Stay current in the rapidly expanding fields of records management and information governance by earning a Master of Archives and Records Administration degree. San José State University’s MARA degree program is delivered 100% online, so you can keep your current job and get ready for career advancement. In this flexible online program, you’ll gain a solid foundation in both theory and practice while preparing [...]

The findings from IG World's annual Purview Survey are here... In 2022, we launched our first annual Purview Governance survey - the latest in a series of surveys designed to collect and share valuable information within the world of Information Governance. This year we bring you updated results, fresh from IG professionals. The survey explores organizational use of Purview (previously M365) - a product available since July 2017. In addition to providing a cloudbased SaaS model for Microsoft [...]

The Ethical Conundrums Surrounding Artificial Intelligence By Christopher Surdak, JD This week I presented at the Sub-Four eDiscovery and Information Governance in the legal industry, hosted at Pelican Hill Resort. While these topics may strike some as exciting as watching paint dry, others of us find these topics to be interesting, relevant and sometimes even critical to our careers and our lives. In the session I moderated we discussed the implications of Artificial Intelligence on the legal profession, and whether [...]

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Robert F. Smallwood, author of 8 books on Information Governance topics, including the world’s only textbook Information Governance,  2nd Edition, (Wiley, 2020) comprehensive 442-page textbook on electronic records management (Managing Electronic Records, Wiley, 2014), is also co-Founder & CEO of IGWorld magazine, Founder of InfoGov World Expo, Founder and Chairman of the Certified Information Governance Officers Association, and Managing Director of the Institute for IG, has been nominated for the Emmett Leahy Award for pioneering contributions in the field of [...]

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]In May, 2022, ISO published ISO 24143:2022 Information and documentation — Information Governance — Concept and principles, which provided needed clarity, concreteness, and credibility to the IG discipline. What could be the potential impact of this new standard?   IG, which is a “super discipline” that includes the collaboration of Privacy, Cybersecurity, Information Risk, Data Governance, Records Management, and eDiscovery functions (and more), is maturing rapidly. The new ISO standard arrives less than 10 years after IG hit the US [...]

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]In May, 2022, the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) published ISO 24143:2022 Information and documentation — Information Governance — Concept and principles, which provides needed clarity and credibility to the IG discipline.   But it could be strengthened greatly, by building on previous foundational work by ISO.   To make the new IG standard carry more weight, to give it more “teeth” so to speak, it should require the accomplishment of compliance with other related ISO standards.   ISO 27701 [...]

ISO 24143:2022 Information Governance – Concept and Principles was published in May, however, a close examination reveals some serious omissions - and some entries that simply do not belong.   Key Stakeholders   The new standard lists these, “Stakeholders which are engaged in the collaboration include but are not limited to:”   — Data Management   — Information Management   — Records Management   — Knowledge Management   — Regulatory Compliance   — Digital Preservation   — Information Security   [...]

Hooray! Finally, a standard for Information Governance (IG) has been established.   Last month, the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) published ISO 24143:2022 Information and documentation — Information Governance — Concept and principles, which provides needed clarity and credibility to the IG discipline. Yes, IG is real, and not a “phony discipline” as some Luddites have suggested.   The first issuance of this standard covers a wide swath of IG, but what is missing? Some key concepts, I believe.   [...]

Listen to the latest episode of IG Talk with Robert Smallwood, featuring Robert’s interview with an exceptional, vibrant, and brilliant leader in IG, Natausha Cruz Wilson. She's the Director of Information Governance at Qualcomm and a Keynote Speaker at InfoGov World Expo 2022.   IG Talk with Robert Smallwood is a podcast featuring interviews with Information Governance leaders around the world, discussions about IG news, events, and best practices.   This episode is brought to you by InfoGov [...]

News Release 2022 CIGO Assn Announces IG Best Practice Awards February 1, 2022 CIGO Association is pleased to announce that submissions are invited for the 2022 1st Annual CIGO IG Best Practice Awards. Submission Deadline is Monday, February 28, 2022. Only one nomination per organization. More information is here. Submissions must be made in PowerPoint, no more than 10 slides. An additional 1-page written summary is optional and recommended. Finalists will be notified by March 20, 2022. The winner will [...]

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]News Release February 1, 2022 CIGO Association to Hold Hybrid 1st Annual IG Leadership Summit The Certified Information Governance Officers Association (CIGOA) will hold its 1st annual IG Leadership Summit in San Diego March 24 & 25 at the Horton Grand Hotel in the Gaslamp Quarter, and also online.  The event will consist of two 1-day workshops, the first on Change Management, led by Matt D. M. Watson, PhD, author of Nudge Change Management, and the second on IG Program Management by Robert Smallwood, MBA, CIGO, [...]

When you perform an audit of your online self, you might be shocked to discover you have at least 25 accounts. Going through those accounts, you could be surprised to realize how much you repeat passwords. The problem with this action is that you’re exposing yourself to different risks. Cybercriminals are adept at uncovering one of your passwords and using them to break into other accounts. Your account activity may seem normal until your login credentials get bought on the [...]

Information Governance thought leader and pioneer Robert Smallwood will return to his alma mater to teach this Fall. Smallwood is CEO and founder of IGWorld magazine and the Institute for IG, as well as Chair of the CIGO Association. He graduated from the University of Northern Iowa (UNI) in Cedar Falls with a double major in Management & Psychology with Honors in 1981, while lettering in cross country. A decade later, he earned his MBA in International Business with Honors [...]

New Release For Immediate Release Ricoh USA, a Digital Business Services & Printing Solutions company, has joined Certified Information Governance Officers Association (CIGOA), Electronic Discovery Reference Model (EDRM), Hyland Software, Iron Mountain, and Institute for Information Governance in supporting a global information governance survey by InfoGov World Media. The groundbreaking information governance (IG) survey was designed to gain critical insights into how information governance (IG) programs are planned and implemented around the world. To ensure a thorough analysis, the study [...]

In his seminal work Out of the Crisis , famed statistician and management consultant W. Edward Deming wrote, “Inspection does not improve the quality, nor guarantee quality. Inspection is too late. The quality, good or bad, is already in the product.” While written in 1982, even now in the information age increasingly defined by big data analytics, these words still resonate. And it may be that viewing an organization’s information assets through a quality management lens can help an organization [...]

How would you manage the security of your environment differently if you knew where all of the sensitive assets lived within your organization? It's the question we often pose to CISO's, “How would you manage the security of your environment differently if you knew where all of the sensitive assets lived within your organization?” Most security professionals have embraced the notion of “Zero Trust”. The premise of Zero Trust assumes that the bad guys are either already in, or will [...]

CEOs around the globe are scratching their heads, wondering how it is possible that the most advanced and skilled cybersecurity teams are regularly bested by hackers. Even IT security companies are vulnerable, as demonstrated by the SolarWinds attack late last year. US agencies, including parts of the Pentagon, the Department of Homeland Security, the State Department, the Department of Energy, the National Nuclear Security Administration, and the Treasury were attacked. So were private companies, like Cisco, Intel, Microsoft, and Deloitte. [...]

Ransomware attacks have become increasingly more sophisticated and pervasive with the latest incidents at Colonial Pipeline and JBS being prime examples. It's pretty clear that even the most sophisticated cybersecurity defenses can be penetrated, even at tech firms that are loaded with cyber talent and all the latest tools. To wit: Intel, Microsoft, and Cisco, which were hacked during the SolarWinds attack last year. So how in the world is it possible for companies to defend themselves against ransomware attacks? [...]

Information Governance World magazine announced today that strategic partners Hyland Software and Iron Mountain will help underwrite a planned global Information Governance survey. Also supporting the study are the Certified Information Governance Officers Association (CIGOA), Electronic Discovery Reference Model (EDRM), and the Institute for IG. The results will be released at InfoGov World Expo 2021, held in 3D virtual reality, in September. Robert Smallwood, CEO & Publisher, stated, “We are pleased to welcome Hyland and Iron Mountain as partners in [...]

The proliferation of collaboration tools has transformed the information landscape altering the risk profiles of security, privacy, and compliance. Add to this the potential liabilities inherent to new data stores—that may include PII or sensitive information—and it may be that evaluating new tools and services solely from the perspective of the content owners needs and IT requirements is not enough. The full spectrum of potential risks created by new applications must be considered in context of different business groups, their [...]

San Diego, April 8, 2021 The Certified Information Governance Officers Association (CIGOA) today announced a new scholarship program for professionals in the Information Governance (IG) profession who have been out of work and are looking for a career transition. This year, four full training scholarships will be awarded, providing access to the CIGO certification training and mentoring program, which has been utilized by major companies including Honeywell, Hormel, and Delta Airlines. “We’d like to do our part to help those who [...]

IG World to Conduct Global InfoGov Study, Release Results at InfoGovWorld Expo 2021   NEWS RELEASE For Immediate Release April 6, 2021 Contact: Robert Smallwood  [email protected]    San Diego, CA, April 6, 2021 – Information Governance World magazine announced today that it will conduct a global study on Information Governance (IG). The results will be presented at the virtual InfoGov World Expo 2021 in September. Robert Smallwood, CEO & Publisher, stated, “After observing the flawed and biased studies that have been conducted in [...]

IG World magazine is pleased to announce the world’s first global Information Governance (IG) conference, trade show, training, and job fair event to be held September 14-17, 2021 in 3D virtual reality (VR). The event will begin with two days of IG training sessions, followed by two days of interactive conference sessions in 3D VR, and concluding with a job fair.   Uniquely, the conference will last 12 hours each day (6am-6pm ET; 12 noon to Midnight CET), covering time [...]

You may already have a formal Data Governance program in place. Then again, perhaps you don’t. Or … you are presently going through the process of trying to convince your Senior Leadership or stakeholders that a formal Data Governance program is necessary. Maybe you are going through the process of convincing the stakeholders that Data Governance is well worth the time and investment in terms of resources and time spent formalizing accountability for data across the organization. No matter what [...]

TO OFFER NEW CRM/CIGO CERTIFICATION Albany, NY and San Diego, CA, October 1, 2020 - The Institute of Certified Records Managers (ICRM) and the Certified Information Governance Officers Association (CIGOA) announce a strategic alliance partnership to jointly offer a new information governance (IG) credential for Certified Records Managers, the CRM/CIGO (Certified Information Governance Officer). The new CRM/CIGO certification process includes a training and testing program that is 100% online. The training is a master class in IG, followed by a [...]

Join IGWorld Magazine for an informational webinar – in 3D virtual reality! Our featured speakers are Doug Laney, Data Analytics & Innovation Fellow, West Monroe; and Didier Navez, SVP Dawex. You’ll learn how Dawex's Data Exchange platform brings the principles and formulas for monetizing information from Doug Laney’s groundbreaking book, Infonomics to life. Join us for a unique IG event! Learn about Data Exchanges and experience the future of work! Click to view the Agenda The event will be held [...]

The path to leveraging information value: From IG to Infonomics. Is data the new oil? Join us and key C-level executives to understand how to navigate the journey to harvesting newfound information value. You’ll learn the principles and formulas for monetizing information from Doug Laney’s groundbreaking book, Infonomics. Click to view the Agenda We’ll have insightful presentations and panel discussions, including a “virtual” group lunch, then a “virtual” reception where you can network with peer executives and industry leaders. The [...]

The path to leveraging information value: From IG to Infonomics. Is data the new oil? Join us and key C-level executives to understand how to navigate the journey to harvesting newfound information value. You’ll learn the principles and formulas for monetizing information from Doug Laney’s groundbreaking book, Infonomics. We’ll have insightful presentations and panel discussions, including a group lunch, then a reception where you can network with peer executives and industry leaders. The event will be held at the award-winning [...]

  In today’s business environment, businesses are increasingly affected by external forces: privacy regulations, like the CCPA (California Consumer Privacy Act) are bringing data privacy and protection issues to the fore; the continued explosion of content stresses IT capacities; an evolving workplace and workforce forces new management thinking; and the changing IT landscape requires new modernization strategies. Addressing any of these is a daunting challenge for any organization, but it’s important to point out that the common thread among them [...]

The path to leveraging information value: From IG to Infonomics. Is data the new oil? Join us and key C-level executives to understand how to navigate the journey to harvesting newfound information value. You’ll learn the principles and formulas for monetizing information from Doug Laney’s groundbreaking book, Infonomics. We’ll have insightful presentations and panel discussions, including a group lunch, then a reception where you can network with peer executives and industry leaders. The event will be held at the award-winning [...]

Friday morning, Facebook disclosed the latest in an ongoing series of privacy and security lapses that have come to define the company in 2018. For nearly two weeks in September, a bug let third-party developers view the photos of up to 6.8 million Facebook users, whether they’d shared them or not. Facebook will eventually alert affected users with a notification, which will send them to a page that details what happened and which apps might have their photos on hand. [...]

Information security is often perceived as a highly technical and often futile pursuit. We can thank the entertainment industry for this – evil hackers who can break through any cyberdefenses certainly make for an exciting storyline. Sure, the risk to your information is very real. However, in real life, smart information management does not have to be complicated – it starts with common-sense practices and tools your organization may already own. 6 steps to success Follow these simple steps and [...]

Robert F. Smallwood MBA, CIP, IGP Publisher of IG World Magazine; and Managing Director at Institute for IG Digital technologies are radically transforming business and government, and the lives of everyday consumers. We live in a new era where the world’s largest taxi company (Uber), owns no vehicles; the world’s most popular media owner (Facebook), creates no content; and the world’s largest accommodation provider (AirBnB), owns no real estate. The digitization of modern society extends into politics, with Big Data [...]

With this book, Mr. Laney may have done Wall Street a trillion dollar favor! That may be how much hidden value there is which lies is in the information assets of digitally-driven public companies - but is not reflected on their Balance Sheets. He makes the case for monetizing and leveraging information assets so clearly, so deftly, so convincingly, and with such powerful examples - it seems that the accounting profession should be embarrassed for not having reached his conclusions [...]

It could very well be that bad information is killing Americans at record rates. Medical mistakes kill over 250,000 people each year in the U.S. It is the third leading cause of death overall, behind heart disease and cancer, according to a study by doctors at Johns Hopkins.[i] These numbers are certainly low, since they do not include deaths at nursing homes, surgery centers, and in-home care settings. The United States has the most expensive healthcare in the world: the [...]