The framework of information governance, as described in the provided context, is a structured approach designed to assist specific professionals and entities in meeting their legal obligations, particularly concerning data sharing.
Understanding the IG Framework
An Information Governance (IG) Framework provides guidelines, processes, and standards to manage information effectively and compliantly. Based on the reference provided:
- Intended Audience: The Information Governance (IG) Framework is intended for IG professionals.
- Purpose: It has been developed to provide a structured approach to ensure ShCRs (presumably specific types of entities handling information) meet their legal obligations.
- Scope: This includes when they are planning, preparing and delivering data sharing.
Essentially, it acts as a roadmap for information professionals and their organizations to navigate the complexities of legal requirements surrounding data, focusing specifically on the lifecycle of data sharing activities.
Key Aspects Covered
A typical Information Governance Framework, like the one referenced, helps organizations manage various critical areas. While the reference specifically highlights legal obligations and data sharing, a comprehensive framework often touches upon:
- Data Quality: Ensuring information is accurate, complete, and reliable.
- Data Retention & Disposal: Defining how long data is kept and how it is securely disposed of.
- Security & Privacy: Protecting data from unauthorized access, use, disclosure, disruption, modification, or destruction.
- Compliance: Meeting statutory, regulatory, and legal requirements (as emphasized by the reference).
- Data Sharing: Establishing safe and compliant methods for exchanging information with others (explicitly mentioned in the reference).
The framework provides the necessary structure to implement policies and procedures across these areas, ensuring consistent and compliant handling of information assets.
Why Use an IG Framework?
Implementing an Information Governance Framework offers significant benefits:
- Ensuring Legal Compliance: Directly addresses the reference's point about meeting legal obligations, especially crucial in data-sensitive environments.
- Reducing Risk: Minimizes risks associated with data breaches, non-compliance, and poor data quality.
- Improving Decision-Making: Provides reliable data for strategic decisions.
- Increasing Efficiency: Streamlines information management processes.
- Building Trust: Demonstrates commitment to protecting information.
| Aspect | How the Framework Helps |
|---|---|
| Legal Obligations | Provides a structured approach to meet requirements (Ref) |
| Data Sharing | Guides planning, preparing, and delivering data exchange (Ref) |
| Risk Management | Identifies and mitigates information-related risks |
| Efficiency | Standardizes processes for handling information |
Practical Application: Data Sharing
As the reference notes, the framework is vital "when they are planning, preparing and delivering data sharing." This involves several steps where the framework's structure is invaluable:
- Planning: Identifying the data to be shared, the purpose, and the legal basis. The framework guides the legal assessment.
- Preparing: Ensuring the data is in the correct format, secure, and potentially de-identified if necessary. The framework provides standards for security and data handling.
- Delivering: The secure transmission of the data and establishing agreements with the recipient. The framework outlines protocols for secure transfer and contractual requirements.
By following the framework's guidelines at each stage, ShCRs can ensure their data sharing activities remain compliant and secure, fulfilling their legal obligations.
The Information Governance (IG) Framework is intended for IG professionals. It has been developed to provide a structured approach to ensure ShCRs meet their legal obligations. This includes when they are planning, preparing and delivering data sharing.
