Rationale

‘Information governance’ describes the activities and practices which have developed around people's attempts to control the use of information, including, but not limited to, practices mandated by law. If we create a records management policy for an organization, we apply information governance principles. When legislatures pass laws to protect our personal information, they are attempting to enforce good information governance. At a personal level, good practices regarding password selection for online resources, or encryption of sensitive data, can constitute information governance. In a world in which information is increasingly seen as a top-level asset, the safeguarding and management of information is of concern to everyone.

Because information and its uses pervade our lives, it is important that it is handled efficiently. Because of increasing concerns regarding access to information, and regarding the consequences of misuse of information, there is a growing body of legislation worldwide which applies to the collection, storage, use and disposal of information. There is also a growing concern regarding the ethical use of information, and there is pressure on those handling information to be able to demonstrate that their handling of information meets ethical standards.

These factors are relevant to all involved in information work, from the researcher who is responsible for ethical practices in the gathering, analysis and storage of data to the reference librarian who must deliver unbiased information; from the records manager who must respond to information requests to the administrator handling personnel files.

Since aspects of information governance permeate information work, it is important that students in the information professions are aware of, and are equipped to implement, good practice in a wide range of areas of application.

The aim of this book is to present information governance as the key to the successful integration of the information professions with the organizations which they serve, with the interests of the individual and with society at large.

Data and information

The terms ‘data’ and ‘information’ were both used in the last section – there is some overlap in the meanings commonly given to the two terms, and this may result in confusion, because often they are used interchangeably.