Recap and IM Action Plan

1. Business record retention (electronic and paper) is an essential business function for all organizations.

2. Regulated industries must adhere to retention and deletion rules, policies, and procedures that are dictated by federal and state laws and industry and government regulations.

3. Unregulated organizations should manage electronic business records consistently. Apply to IM and e-mail records the same standards and procedures you apply to paper records.

4. Advise your employees to use your company IM and e-mail systems for legitimate business communications. Separate your personal chat from your professional business, or risk embarrassment should a private message go public.

5. Retention policies and procedures should be driven by your legal and compliance department. Records management and IT should be integral team players, as well.