New Blockchain Tip Sheet Published

Check out the newest Blockchain Tip Sheet published in the Blockchain Technology Guidelines on the Ohio ERC site.  Blockchain Project Conversation Starters is the third tip sheet on Blockchain and serves as a guide to help records managers and archivists surface key recordkeeping and preservation issues when their organization is embarking upon blockchain projects. The document provides an overview of blockchain, general terminology, the life-cycle of records on a blockchain, among other concepts.

OhioERC Blockchain Comparisons Tip Sheet

The Ohio Electronic Records Commission recently created a new tip sheet that outlines considerations that can be used to determine whether blockchain technology might be a good fit for a particular project.

“Blockchain technology” is a consensus digital ledger comprised of unchangeable, digitally-recoded data in packages called blocks. Each block is “chained” to the next block using a cryptographic signature. This allows blockchains to act like a ledger, which can be shared with an accessed by anyone with the appropriate permissions. Blockchains are typically maintained across multiple computers that are linked in a peer-to-peer network. Additional information about blockchain features and functionalities can be found in the OhioERC companion document, Blockchain Basics: Introduction to Blockchain Concepts.

The tip sheet compares the advantages and disadvantages of using blockchain versus existing database technology. It also distinguishes between public, private and federated blockchain, and identifies the features commonly found with each.

For more information about blockchain technology, please visit https://ohioerc.org/?page_id=1948.

Records and Information Management Month: Tips and Guidelines

April is Records and Information Management Month. This April may look and feel very different than what Records Management professionals are used to. Many of us are currently working remotely and there is no better time than now to ensure good record keeping and best practices in your workplace. Here are some things to consider that can promote efficient and effective electronic record keeping in your organization during this time.

  • Are people in your organization working from home? Do they know their responsibility regarding managing electronic records? This month would be a great time to review your organization’s shared drive management and electronic records management policies and procedures.
  • Is your organization using text messaging to document business activities? Check out ERC’s Tips for Text Messaging Retention for best practices and risks/liabilities of using text messages for government business.
  • Have you been communicating more than ever through email? Review our Guidelines for Managing Email to ensure your organization is retaining emails effectively.
  • Is your organization communicating and posting via social media to interact with constituents? Check out ERC’s  Social Media Resources, including the new online training module, Social Media: The Records Management Challenge (2020) .