Mitigating the risks of explosive, global information growth.

• Author: Wiler, Vicki
• Position: IN FOCUS: A Message from the Editor

Although governing the explosive growth of information is a challenge all organizations face, that challenge is multiplied exponentially for those implementing information technologies for operations in multiple countries.

In our cover feature, John Phillips, CRM, CDIA, FAI, advises readers about how to address infrastructure limitations and the regulatory, legal, social, and cultural boundaries and norms of other countries that could be impediments to successfully implementing information technologies that transcend geopolitical borders.

Brian Nowak's international organization struggled with many of these same issues. Despite the wide variations in the level of records management sophistication in his organization's worldwide locations, its global records management team was able to develop line of business liaisons and transition tactical responsibilities to them. Read about how the team followed "A 5-Step Strategy for Harnessing Global Information Growth," to make this transition and become more strategic.

Bruce Dearstyne, Ph.D., picks up on the theme of strategic leadership in his feature, "Accelerating Out of the Recession: New Approaches to Executing RIM Program Strategies." Dearstyne writes that despite the challenges and risks inherent in our "disruptive, digital age," the future is promising for records and information management leaders who are willing to try non-traditional approaches to traditional leadership strategies.

As the major characteristic of our "disruptive, digital age," explosive information growth increases the costs and risks for organizations that are often hard pressed to even identify what information they have and where it is. In "Using Data Profiling to Mitigate 7 'Red Flag' Information Risks," author Jim McGann describes how these organizations can use data profiling technology to create a data map that will enable them to...