Poll: Execs Believe E-Data Becoming Unmanageable

Results of a recent online poll of executives conducted by Deloitte Financial Advisory Services portray the growing volume of electronic data in corporations as a virtual litigation disaster waiting to happen.
"Discovery is a very serious issue to business today," Bruce Hartley, a director in the Analytic and Forensic Technology practice of Deloitte FAS, said. "There are real stakes and real penalties associated with poorly handled discovery. In the past few years, we have seen cases where defendants have faced jail time and millions of dollars in sanctions or penalties."
"Strategic steps should be taken so that electronic discovery can be handled correctly," he said.
Deloitte recommends that companies create an e-discovery program and communicate it to all departments. That would include records management policies and document retention schedules. The firm also recommends that companies map their data systems and data sources.