UK companies lag behind their US counterparts in updating technology policies

The study, commissioned by Kroll Ontrack – a consultancy for paper and electronic discovery, computer forensics and ESI – revealed that only 41% of UK businesses have revisited their policies in the last 12 months with regard to mobile devices, and just 35% have done so with respect to social networking sites.

Experts believe that policies regarding ESI and document retention are a critical element in a company’s ability to cope with data disclosure obligations and litigation processes.

Most worryingly, only a quarter (26%) have reviewed their policies in the wake of increasingly popular storage technology such as virtualisation and cloud computing. Furthermore, only 32% said they have revised their policies regarding instant messaging.

The research surveyed companies in both the UK and the US and found a marked contrast in the levels of policy development between the two markets. Considerably higher percentages of companies in the US were found to have reviewed ESI and document retention polices with regard to all key development areas – mobile devices, social networking sites, instant messaging and virtualisation.

Martin Carey, managing director, Kroll Ontrack, UK, said: “The technologies employed by companies are varied and complex, and consequently demand rigorous corporate policies regarding their use. Mobile devices, for example, have rapidly expanded the potential for working remotely, but some companies continue to rely on policies drafted prior to their introduction.

“The requirement to disclose electronically stored information during the litigation process is affecting more businesses than ever before. If policies are not updated, these companies could be placed at a severe disadvantage, with a real risk of serious financial loss,” he warned. According to him, when US companies are responding swiftly to new technologies, the response of British companies is a “real concern”.

“UK organisations, therefore, may simply need to focus more of their attention to documenting, revisiting and communicating these important policies.”