Overview & Purpose

The potential range of issues emerging out of the active use of email are widespread and complex, including technical issues surrounding online security and legal issues relating to the monitoring of users online activity. Thankfully the focus of this resource is specifically on the information itself, which in this strand means the actual emails which have been created and are now in 'active use'. Inevitably any discussion of the active use phase of the email lifecycle will have to dip into these broader topics because of the impact they will have on the way in which emails are used and managed. However, it should be noted that the focus of the guidance included within this phase of the infoKit unapologetically remains the management of email itself with only superficial and passing reference to these broader topics where specifically relevant.

The contents of this section builds on and augments the information provided in the Information Lifecycle - Active use strand and should be considered in this light. What this section attempts to do is build on the general good practice guidance on information creation covered previously and look specifically at the additional requirements for managing emails.

As such it will be of use to those tasked with managing and maintaining email services within the institution and those with an interest in the management of information and records.

The topics covered within this section include: