Take a good look at the version of the EDRM model shown in this picture.  Notice anything different about it?  That’s right, the lines between Information Governance and Identification and between Identification and Preservation and Collection are distorted and blurry.  In a recent post by Doug Kaminski of Cobra Legal Solutions, he discusses how the lines between information governance and legal hold are getting blurry and why that’s a good thing.

In his blog post The Lines Between Information Governance and Legal Hold Are Becoming Blurred – and That’s a Good Thing, Doug begins by observing that the most recent version of the EDRM model actually contains a model within a model as the Information Governance Reference Model (IGRM) has replaced the circle that used to be there that simply said “Information Governance”.  It’s two models, not two mints, in one!

Except for the earliest versions of the EDRM model, the Information Governance phase – in either form – has been the only phase represented by a circle for years.  Why?  Because it is the only phase considered to be enterprise wide and perpetual.

However, Doug notes that, today, the lines between Information Governance and Legal Hold and Preservation are becoming blurred as it’s becoming more difficult to determine where one ends and the other begins.

Doug then proceeds to discuss the two components of legal hold – one that has been around for a while and another which is a more recent phenomenon which really starts to blur the lines between Information Governance and Legal Hold (and, as you’ll see, is a good thing).  As Doug notes, both components are essential today to effectively manage your preservation and legal hold workflows.

What are the two components of legal hold today?  I won’t steal his thunder, you can check out his blog post here.  Hey, this post was still written by “Doug”!  😉

So, what do you think?  Does your organization have a legal hold solution?  Does it integrate with enterprise systems?  Please share any comments you might have or if you’d like to know more about a particular topic.

Disclosure: Cobra Legal Solutions is an Educational Partner and sponsor of eDiscovery Today

Disclaimer: The views represented herein are exclusively the views of the author, and do not necessarily represent the views held by my employer, my partners or my clients. eDiscovery Today is made available solely for educational purposes to provide general information about general eDiscovery principles and not to provide specific legal advice applicable to any particular circumstance. eDiscovery Today should not be used as a substitute for competent legal advice from a lawyer you have retained and who has agreed to represent you.