One Step Ahead
May 27, 2008, Volume 54, No. 34	Print Issue

Another tip in a series provided by the Offices of Information Systems & Computing and Audit, Compliance & Privacy.

It has been estimated that 93% of all business records now created are stored electronically. Civil litigators and criminal investigators have known the value of electronic records for years, and the market for electronic records discovery services is projected to grow 30% over the next five years.

Electronic discovery, or E-discovery, is a legal process in which electronic data is sought, located, secured and searched with the intent of using it as evidence in a civil or criminal legal case. In 2006 the US Supreme Court amended US Federal Rules of Civil Procedure to reflect the impact that electronic communications have had on organizations. The new rules state that any electronically stored data possessed by an organization is now subject to discovery (compulsory disclosure).

Since E-discovery requests are growing sharply, it is important to be familiar with Penn’s E-discovery procedures:

1. Under Penn policy, all requests for legal discovery are to be directed to Penn’s Office of General Counsel.

2. Office of General Counsel coordinates Penn’s response to the request by notifying the affected Penn organization(s) and ISC Information Security.

3. General Counsel and Information Security work with the affected organization(s) to ensure that covered data is preserved in its original form.

If you have questions about E-Discovery at Penn, please write to security@isc.upenn.edu.

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