Standard on counter disaster strategies for records and recordkeeping systems
Contents
Executive summary
The need to plan and protect records and recordkeeping systems from the risk of a disaster and to ensure the continuation of business in the event of a disaster has become critical in recent years. The implementation of Government policy in relation to the Year 2000 Millennium Strategy, its legacy of business continuity planning, and the Standard on Physical Storage of State Records have been key drivers behind the development of the standard on counter disaster strategies for records and recordkeeping systems. This standard forms part of the framework of rules and guidance issued by State Records to help public offices meet their obligations under the State Records Act 1998. In particular, it aims to help each public office to "ensure the safe custody and proper preservation of the State's records that it has control of" (s. 11).
The purpose of this standard is to ensure that records in all formats, recordkeeping systems and data critical to the reconstitution of a public office's electronic records are protected by counter disaster measures.
The standard comprises three principles, drawn from national and international best practice, that should be followed by public offices when working to protect records and recordkeeping systems from disaster events through counter disaster measures. Each principle is explained and followed by minimum compliance requirements. Sources of further guidance and a compliance checklist are also provided.
The principles are:
- Risk assessment: Risks affecting records and recordkeeping systems should be identified and assessed
- Planning: An effective counter disaster plan for records and recordkeeping systems should be developed, implemented and maintained
- Vital records protection: Vital records should be identified and protected.
This standard is issued under the terms of s. 13 of the State Records Act and applies to public offices, as defined in s. 3 of the Act, except for those public offices to which Part 2 of the Act does not apply.
© State of New South Wales through the State Records
Authority of New South Wales, 2002.
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ISBN 0-7313-5383-8
