Records Management

The National Intelligence Director: Over-Classification Undermines Democracy

The ongoing investigations into handling of sensitive documents by former presidents and vice presidents have brought potential problems with the classification system back into the spotlight. 

New Records Rules Require Agencies to Save Chats and Texts

Previous records retention rules only explicitly applied to email communications. Now that has expanded to all pertinent electronic messages.

NARA to Publish First Update to Cybersecurity Records Rules Since 2014

The agency is issuing an update to the General Records Schedule, including new rules for packet capture and cybersecurity incident logs.

NARA’s Chief Innovator Won Big Last Week

Pamela Wright’s “exceptional executive leadership is invaluable to NARA, our strategic goals, and our mission,” said the acting archivist of the United States.

Maloney Introduces Presidential Records Reform Bill

Outgoing House Oversight and Reform Committee Chair Carolyn Maloney (D-N.Y.) has a new bill meant to beef up compliance with White House records requirements.

Paper-Based Government Forms Cost Federal Agencies $37.8B

A report from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce underscored the environmental and consumer need for a digital government services modernization.

NASA Still Falls Short of Geospatial Data Act Compliance, Watchdog Says

The agency’s inspector general found that while NASA is making progress towards compliance, six out of 13 key elements are incomplete.

The Pentagon’s Watchdog Is Taking a Closer Look at Defense’s Records Management and Device Use After Missing Jan. 6 Texts

The acting inspector general shared information about the review in response to a letter from a top senator expressing concerns about handling of messages related to the Capitol insurrection. 

EEOC to Propose Rules Codifying Electronic Filing Options for Feds

Although the agency that investigates complaints of workplace discrimination has offered the option to file documents and track cases electronically for years, its regulations do not specifically endorse the current system.

Lawmakers Ask National Archives to Certify Whether Trump Returned All Presidential Records

A Congressional committee expressed concern that former President Donald Trump may still possess presidential records at non-secure locations.

New Photos Suggest How Trump, Flush with Power, May Have Sent Official Documents down the Toilet

Photos showing what appear to be torn-up documents in two different toilets may provide more evidence of the former president’s habit of destroying his presidential documents.

New bill takes aim at veterans records backlog

Some of the new bill's provisions had previously been included in the House version of the Build Back Better reconciliation bill.

Is Your Agency Ready for NARA’s Electronic Records Deadline?

Add in the overall uncertainty around the M-19-21 directive and frequently moving goalposts, and it’s understandable how affected agencies may have fallen behind in executing a plan to achieve compliance. 

DOD IG Issues Guidance for Removing Sensitive Tech and Data from Afghanistan

Service members’ records were mishandled during previous contingency operations. The watchdog suggested learning from the past. 

Agriculture Launching New IT System to Manage Discrimination Complaints

The new Civil Rights Management System will live in a USDA-owned and operated cloud environment.

How to Lessen the Burden of Freedom of Information Act Requests

It is essential to lessen the FOIA burden on government agencies.