The concepts of transparency and accessibility to government information are foundational goals for both Federal agencies and the public at large. The increasing pressure for government information to be more digitally accessible and transparent has brought us landmark initiatives such as the Freedom of Information Act, Open Government Directive, Presidential Directive on Managing Government Records and the Open Data Policy, to name a few. There are still many challenges that block the way to the ideal open government. One very large part of this is the government's ability to manage the massive amount of information that is constantly being generated and disseminated, and in both digital and physical formats. Effective control over information is crucial. After all, how can the government provide access to records that are at risk of being lost or mismanaged?
As a result of the exponential growth of information and move towards digital formats, coupled with decreases in agency funding, the federal records and information management landscape has reached a tipping point. A lack of confidence has resulted from growing amounts of risk rooted in a lack of formal training and the inability to meet federal compliance requirements. Faced with this dilemma, agencies have many questions to consider in finding the right balance between mitigating risk and maximizing the value of information assets to agencies and citizens.
A new Market Connections Inc. blind study underwritten by Iron Mountain - seeking to ascertain the current state of information management confidence among 150 Federal respondents responsible for records keeping - found that current record management practices are seen as lacking, leading Federal employees to believe their records are at risk and not properly protected. In fact, the study found that an incredible 85 percent of Federal employees surveyed said they are not fully confident current records management policies are meeting the needs of their agency, and only 33 percent of respondents said they were very confident their records were not at risk.
This risk is being exacerbated by the formal training gap present among Federal employees who are involved in records and data management processes. The study found that only 40 percent of respondents indicated that all employees receive formal training to appropriately manage records under their immediate control, and that 19 percent indicated having never received any training - even informally. Overall, less than half (46 percent) of respondents defined their records management training as very effective. Without consistent and effective training, it is impossible for agencies to establish confidence. A regularly trained staff is a more confident staff and likely one that offers less risk to records. The good news is, when training is taken, 98 percent say it is effective.
Taking that a step further, properly established training processes will result in agencies having a much easier time complying with the wide array of Federal laws and regulations that govern records management policies and programs. Currently, 72 percent of respondents believe there is room for improvement in either the tools or procedures available to ensure compliance with records management laws and regulations affecting their agency. This majority indicates that transparency shortcomings do not stem from agencies' culture or attitude, but rather cut to the core of agencies' ability to function with limited budgets and tools at their disposal.
The lack of agency confidence regarding records and information management practices is a problem that is driven by alarming levels of risk that have come about as a result of improper training and an inability to fulfill compliance requirements. By addressing these source issues, agencies will be able to realize their full ROI Return on Information and will be able to more effectively achieve their agency-specific missions. Increasing the value of existing information will ultimately drive value for citizens and result in a more transparent and accessible government.
For the full survey report and associated infographic, visit: www.ironmountain.com/federalrecordsatrisk
Most recent headlines
05/01/2027
Worlds first 802.15.4ab-UWB chip verified by Calterah and Rohde & Schwarz to be ...
07/10/2026
Dalet, a leading technology and service provider for media-rich organizations, today announced the latest Long-Term Supported (LTS) release of Dalet Flex. Build...
06/09/2026
June 9 2026, 23:00 (PDT) Dolby and MagentaTV Bring Fans Closer to the FIFA Worl...
19/08/2026
As the cost of IP nears price parity with traditional SDI, Reynolds argues that ...
19/08/2026
A private 5G bubble was chosen instead of traditional broadcast RF for the race ...
19/08/2026
(L-R) Rafael Manuel and Isabel Sicat attend the Filipi ana premiere during the 2026 Sundance Film Festival at The Ray Theatre on January 23, 2026, in Park Cit...
19/08/2026
Studio owners invited to have their say on rates cuts
The Music Producers Guild (MPG) are inviting UK-based studios to take part in an in-depth survey that ...
19/08/2026
Vintage-inspired desktop interface revealed
Harrison's latest hardware offering sees them head into the world of audio interfaces, delivering a 10-in/12...
19/08/2026
Granular effect remains locked to scale and tempo
Described as your dream granular effect , Minimal Audio's latest creation is capable of turning any s...
19/08/2026
First polyphonic SWAM instrument incoming
Audio Modeling's latest physical-modelling orchestral instrument is just around the corner, and is now availab...
19/08/2026
World Cup Games Generate 84 Billion Minutes Across FOX, Fox Sports 1 and NBCU...
19/08/2026
July brought typical peak-holiday drops in viewership, driven primarily by viewers stepping away from screens and a visible decline in reach across both traditi...
19/08/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
19/08/2026
Henry joins BCE as the company accelerates its commercial strategy and expands its international presence across the media, broadcast and technology markets. He...
19/08/2026
iWedia, a leading provider of software solutions for connected TV devices, today announced a major milestone in Android platform optimization with the successfu...
19/08/2026
NTP Technology announces that ST 2110-30 audio-over-IP connectivity with AES67 and RAVENNA capabilities is now available for the brand's world-class audio i...
19/08/2026
Net Insight has been selected to provide its Nimbra platform by the service provider Big Blue Marble, formerly ORS Group, as the core media transport solution f...
19/08/2026
LiveU has supported Coventry City FC and several other top-flight UK football clubs through one of their most demanding live production challenges of the year, ...
19/08/2026
Nature Seekers Documentary Shot with Blackmagic URSA Cine 12K LF
Brie Clayton August 18, 2026
0 Comments
Filming endangered turtles required camera...
19/08/2026
Neyrinck Brings D-Control Consoles Back to Life on Apple Silicon with D-Control ...
19/08/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
19/08/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
19/08/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
19/08/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
19/08/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
19/08/2026
Riedel Communications today announced that Edith Cowan University (ECU) in Perth, Australia, implemented a comprehensive communications infrastructure that brin...
19/08/2026
QuickLink, a leading provider of award-winning video production and remote guest contribution solutions, will spotlight a major leap forward in remote guest con...
19/08/2026
Integrated platform melds media asset management, playout automation and newsroom workflows
EMAM, PlayBox Neo and SNEWS have officially launched Nuvex, a conne...
19/08/2026
Screen Australia releases the Private Investment Toolkit to strengthen screen in...
19/08/2026
Do Aussies truly value local content? Unpacking Screen Currency 2026 with Deirdr...
19/08/2026
There's an early Christmas gift for Bookish fans, as UKTV confirms the re-commission of the hit U&alibi drama, created by and starring Mark Gatiss. Viewers ...
19/08/2026
Wednesday 19 August 2026
Sky gives sports fans the chance to watch multiple liv...
19/08/2026
On Saturday September 5 Katie Taylor will step into the ring for the fight of her life against Flora Pili in front of 80,000 fans in Croke Park. A legendary fig...
18/08/2026
SportStream 2026, a free three-day virtual event, will take place September 15-17. One registration provides access to all three days of live programming and on...
18/08/2026
BeckTV will introduce BeckFlow to the European market at IBC2026, demonstrated on the Providius stand (10.F53).
BeckFlow is a web-based schematic documentation...
18/08/2026
Boland Communications will introduce a SMPTE ST 2110 input option for its 4K monitors at IBC2026, along with a new 55-inch super-narrow bezel display for video ...
18/08/2026
Dolby Laboratories and the Seattle Seahawks have announced a partnership integrating Dolby OptiView into the Seahawks' live streaming coverage, making the S...
18/08/2026
For BMG Executive Producer of Sports Production, Graham Taylor, producing live s...
18/08/2026
TMRW Sports has appointed Rufus Hack as President of Golf, a newly created role in which he will lead the company's golf businesses including TGL presented ...
18/08/2026
SMT will provide race technology for FOX Sports' coverage of the Freedom 250 Grand Prix of Washington, D.C. on August 23, when the NTT INDYCAR SERIES races ...
18/08/2026
The live, YouTube-native roundtables combine fan voices, credentialed reporters,...
18/08/2026
Behind The Mic provides a roundup of recent news regarding on-air talent, includ...
18/08/2026
The industry legend sounds off on replacing the Heat's iconic Medusa score...
18/08/2026
William F. Rasmussen, the sports fan-turned broadcaster and entrepreneur whose out-of-the-box idea of a 24-hour cable sports network, ESPN, changed forever the ...
18/08/2026
DAZN Group has completed its acquisition of ViewLift, a provider of streaming and digital solutions for sports content owners. The acquisition was first announc...
18/08/2026
The American Association of Professional Baseball (AAPB) has added SI TV, Sports Illustrated's 24/7 streaming channel, as a broadcast partner for the remain...
18/08/2026
The Esports Foundation has announced that the inaugural Esports Nations Cup (ENC), originally scheduled for November 2026 in Riyadh, will be postponed to Novemb...
18/08/2026
Diversified has announced a new Global Managed Services Practice, consolidating the company's managed services capabilities into one organization. Rob Mello...
18/08/2026
Appear has completed a proof of concept with Thoroughbred Racing Productions (TRP), demonstrating multi-camera remote live production over bonded 5G cellular an...
The concepts of transparency and accessibility to government information are foundational goals for both Federal agencies and the public at large. The increasing pressure for government information to be more digitally accessible and transparent has brought us landmark initiatives such as the Freedom of Information Act, Open Government Directive, Presidential Directive on Managing Government Records and the Open Data Policy, to name a few. There are still many challenges that block the way to the ideal open government. One very large part of this is the government's ability to manage the massive amount of information that is constantly being generated and disseminated, and in both digital and physical formats. Effective control over information is crucial. After all, how can the government provide access to records that are at risk of being lost or mismanaged?
