VERS- Forever Digital

Summary of the Victorian Electronic Records Strategy

Justine Heazlewood, Keeper of Public Records

What is VERS?

VERS is future proofing the electronic information and records of Victorian government.

<forever digital>

What does VERS specify?• Methods to automate the capture of records from

desktop and business systems

• Ways and forms in which to capture and encapsulate information about records to ensure that they are understood in context in the future

• Details a method for securing records so that any changes are detectable

How has VERS progressed?1990’s - VERS initially developed

2000 - PROS 99/007 released

2002 - VERS Centre of Excellence established at PROV

2006 - Sustaining VERS program established with 3 stage delivery

2010 - Changed operational processes with VERS SC

2011 - VERS Refresh

What is VERS Refresh?• A project undertaken by PROV and the VERS Steering Committee

• A snapshot of the information management landscape and a review of current issues

• Agenda setting and vision for the future of electronic information and records

• VERS is a stand alone strategy with a vision statement

• VERS stakeholders are broader than the inner agencies

• WoVG – departments, courts, hospitals, councils, universities, schools…

• Business owners not just records managers or CIOs

Scope of VERS

Scope of VERS• All government digital information = public records

• VERS prescribes storage for all digital records – not just records destined for the archives

• Stronger focus on ‘getting to the point of creation’

• Develop a greater influence within the ICT architecture and systems fields

Changes to Governance Changes to governance that will allow new focus on WoVG electronic information and records, including;

• Programmed collaboration with GSD• Seeking executive sponsorship for major VERS

projects• Reviewing the role of the VERS Steering

Committee(p14 of the VERS Future State for more details)

VERS Work plan 2011-12Measurement Framework, Phase 1;

» Survey of current holdings of government Digital Records

» Development of a Checklist (integrating VAGO & our Standards & Specs)

Capture to Disposal

» Requirements of agency business systems» Disposal authorisation» Supporting Transfer of records» Long Term Storage» Access

VERS Work plan 2011/12Structured Data

» Commencement on Standard and tool development

» Continue work on Functional Requirements for Business Systems

Case Studies

» Best practice guides

What does VERS need?VERS requires your:

» Engagement» Support

Good digital recordkeeping = good business