Email archiving UK law, regulations and implications for business

The use of business email has grown exponentially over a relatively short period of time, bringing with it the huge advantages of worldwide, cost-effective, easy and nearinstantaneous communication. However, as all those involved in the management of IT systems know, the growth in email usage has brought its own challenges.

The concept of information governance is not a new one, but the challenge posed by the sheer volume of information generated by email is. Even organisations with well-defined and well-enforced policies on the use of traditional communications have struggled to police electronic communications. Information transfer is the chief challenge many organisations, and unless that information can be easily located and retrieved, an organisation risks confusion, duplication of effort and embarrassment. On top of these costly irritations, the same organisation may also suffer more serious losses resulting from an inability to take action against wrongdoers, and an inability to defend itself adequately against legal actions, some of which may be based on questionable evidence. Equally importantly, the law is beginning to adapt to deal with the rolling back of the electronic frontiers.Where organisations are not willing to take electronic data management seriously, recent legal developments are likely to compel them to take notice.