Information Governance

The information governance imperative

The goal of “digital transformation” – on almost every organization’s roadmap today – entails the seamless integration of digital technology into all areas of a business, fundamentally changing how the organization operates and delivers value to clients and customers. Critical success factors such as enhanced communication and collaboration must be balanced with the need for data privacy, information security, compliant retention of information, e-Discovery preservation, and defensible disposition. Organizations must also take into consideration industry-specific IG needs, such as law firms’ ethical considerations. True digital transformation is therefore only possible with a holistic and comprehensive information governance foundation. A sound information governance program – particularly a “content placement strategy” that clearly defines “what goes where” and a defensible disposition process – is imperative to mitigate the risks of potential privacy breaches and cyberattacks, regulatory violations, over-retention of unneeded information and the related discovery risks, all while enhancing information value.

Balancing information governance with business needs

HBR’s IG experts provide information governance services tailored to address the increasingly complex and demanding regulatory, technological, and operational challenges of today’s information management environment. HBR develops innovative and creative solutions that are practical and sustainable. HBR’s independent, technology-agnostic approach takes into consideration governance and regulatory requirements, enabling technologies, and business process optimization. HBR partners with its clients to help them achieve their operational and governance objectives through HBR’s strategic vision, in-depth knowledge of information governance and a total commitment to excellence.

Strategy

Legally defensible, global records retention policies

Other policies including:

Privacy policies
Data classification and handling standards
Legal hold policies

Strategic implementation plans

Content placement strategies for unstructured content and structured data
Prioritization roadmaps for implementation

Information governance operating models leveraging content management tools/systems, including:

Microsoft 365
Document management system platforms

eDiscovery response programs including:

Legal hold notification
Data identification (ESI data mapping)
Data preservation (legal hold management)

Operations + Technology

Data optimization combining people, process, and enabling technology

Defined system requirements for:

Retention
Disposition
“Privacy by design”

Prioritized remediation plans for structured data systems

Comprehensive information governance strategy implementation across technology solutions and platforms (M365, content services solutions, etc.), including:

Management strategies for electronic communications and collaboration
M365 platform compliance monitoring and reporting
Information management policies including data classification, data retention and deletion, information protection, DLP, and rights management.

HBR Enabling Software

IG Gateway

An interactive software solution that allows a user-friendly tool to search the retention schedule, allows change and approval workflows and provides data mapping functionality.