Managing Corporate Data in the Era of Mobile Tech and the Internet of Things

The increase in data has serious legal implications for American businesses in the areas of data security, e-discovery, and recordkeeping. Without good data management, enterprise data can become a liability. At any time, a business’s data could be spread across thousands of devices. Keeping tabs on this data, managing and finding it can be an enormous challenge. Nonetheless, cloud computing and mobile devices are popular because they drive productivity and are often superior to other alternatives.

One lawyer recommends that businesses have a policy of not allowing corporate data on employee-owned devices. To control where data is stored, one option he recommends is so-called “thin” or “zero” client deployment of employer computer systems. With this model, he says, “employees use devices with little to no local storage, and those devices simply connect to a remote server that hosts the operating system, applications, and data.”

In advance of litigation, businesses should choose software with an eye to needs that will likely arise during litigation. Ask vendors during the purchasing process how data can be locked down in the event of a legal hold, and how it can be collected during e-discovery. Businesses need to actively manage the data they create and retain, and their plans and procedures need to be informed by legal requirements. Counsel who understand both the legal and the technical sides of this issue are best positioned to help a business meet these challenges.