October 10, 2008, 5:40 AM — The storage of very large volumes of email represents both an asset and a liability. There are powerful reasons for accessing stored email messages. This can include compliance with laws and regulations that require long retention periods and supervision of email. Some of these regulations might require consideration of SEC Rule 17a-4 or NASD Conduct Rule 3010, as well as the corporate governance recommendations established by the Sarbanes-Oxley Act.
Government agencies, too, must archive email messages to comply with regulations set by the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), the Patriot Act, and other Federal and State legislative acts. For example, the laws in Florida grant state citizens the right to request copies of all public records. Those public records that must be made available can include email. People must also receive the requested information in a timely manner. Failure to comply exposes Florida state agencies to lawsuits. Many organizations can potentially encounter the possibility of civil litigation. This resulting legal action will usually include demands for copies of archived email messages and all accompanying attachments. Read the rest of this article>>
