Secure and store

How best to secure and store records depends on whether they are physical or digital. Physical records can be secured by keeping them in vaults and warehouses with appropriate access, temperature and humidity controls. For digital records, a range of sophisticated technology can be used. Electronic storage can save space and costs, but digital records may be more susceptible to inappropriate access.

Storage

Storing digital records introduces the options for electronic storage. Storing physical records directs you to further information for storing records of various physical formats.

If you have records stored with the National Archives, Storage and charging at the National Archives provides further information.

Business continuity and disaster recovery

Your agency will also need to consider how it will deal with any disaster that threatens its records. Loss of records can disrupt your business, as information about decisions and outcomes may no longer be available. In order to continue functioning, it is important that your agency considers what business continuity and disaster recovery plans need to be in place in the event of a disaster.

Security

Securing records provides information on how to protect records from unauthorised access or interference.