Data Management Essentials for Businesses

In this episode of OK at Work, attorneys Sarah Sawyer and Russell Berger of Offit Kurman discuss information governance—how businesses manage data and information with an eye toward compliance and future needs. They note that companies create and store vast amounts of digital records. They should ask what information they have, what they do with it, how long they keep it, and how to dispose of it safely. Sarah and Russell emphasize having a plan that reflects best practices and industry guidelines, addresses retention and cost considerations, and includes a litigation hold protocol to preserve data during disputes. Businesses should know what data they collect (including via apps), and that access controls are critical.

00:00 What Is Information Governance

00:52 Data Everywhere Today

01:29 Retention and Disposal Basics

01:44 Build a Governance Playbook

02:34 What to Keep and Why

03:32 Know Your Data Sources

04:05 Control Access to Records

04:27 Implement and Wrap Up