Public Record Office Victoria (PROV) recordkeeping policies provide direction for Victorian government agencies on best practice records management upon new technologies, emergent issues or legislation. Policies can also outline a set of principles which underpin one or more aspects of recordkeeping that PROV has adopted.
The Victorian government has a strong focus on building and maintaining a sustainable environment. PROV strongly supports this ongoing commitment and acknowledges the importance of the move towards achieving environmental sustainability across Victorian government.
The Recordkeeping and the Environment Issues Paper offers five observations about the environmental impacts of recordkeeping and proposes two recommendations.
Read the issues paper here.
The use of mobile technology can improve and streamline government processes and also reduce operational costs. From a recordkeeping perspective, mobile devices allow information to be accessed and managed without being anchored to a set physical location or work station.
However, any uptake of new technologies also creates new risks.
These risks need to be managed.
The Recordkeeping Policy: Mobile Technologies was developed in accordance with issues determined by the Mobile Technologies and Recordkeeping Issues Paper and subsequent feedback from stakeholders. It discuses recordkeeping risks associated with using mobile technologies.
Read the policy here.
This policy enables agencies to confidently address recordkeeping issues when moving into cloud technology.
When conducting a risk assessment of adopting cloud solutions, agencies should include records risks . Particular care needs to be taken when the information is of a sensitive or private nature. Records should only be stored in a cloud environment that complies with all Victorian legislation and policy. Agencies should ensure that agreements with vendors include clauses that protect agency data. The Guidelines provide assistance in complying with these requirements.
Read the issues paper here.
Read the cloud computing for decision making guideline here.
The Appraisal Statement specifies in summary the records of government administration required for permanent retention as State Archives.
It is designed to:
Government agencies undertaking appraisal will be expected to address the statement’s permanent record characteristics in the development of disposal authorities submitted for the approval of the Keeper of Public Records.
Read the Appraisal Statement here.
Each policy is first circulated as an issues paper. The issues paper provides an opportunity for stakeholder input and to indicate the proposed direction and recommendations.
Policies may impact on other products issued by PROV, including recordkeeping standards. Where this occurs, the products concerned and the likely changes will be identified in the relevant issue paper.
Following the consultation period, a formal policy document is drafted. There may be an opportunity provided for stakeholders to comment on this draft document.
After the consultation period, the final PROV recordkeeping policy is issued.