Is a year (to the day) long enough between posts?

I'd like to think so. =)

It's not like I've been hiding though, but I've been busy with the paying job, and posting and participating a lot on Internet Evolution recently.

There has been a lot going on in our profession over the past year- much of it related to social networking, cloud computing, SaaS (and other 'XaaS' models), privacy breaches, major data losses (can anyone say T-Mobile and Microsoft?) and of course electronic medical and health records issues. I don't think this is the time to break into song on any of these, but I promise I won't wait a year to get into any/all of these topics.

As the year draws to a close, many organizations will be in the process of dispositioning large volumes of records having met their assigned retention periods, and I'd urge you all to take this opportunity to "be green" and find out how the records are being destroyed- encourage your suppliers to recycle the shredded paper or the cardboard boxes at least.

And while you're taking the time to contact your suppliers, consider a site visit with a checklist of concerns and issues to ensure your organization's information assets are being properly protected. Ask to see the inspection report from the Fire Marshal (everyone is supposed to get one annually), and ask to see a copy of their emergency operations plan, and documentation from when it was last exercised... this is also supposed to happen annually. Take a walk through the warehouse, visually review their fire protection, exit doors, trash collection practices, where they store fuel for handling equipment and/or charge their equipment up. And if you have questions, ASK THEM... and follow-up with them in writing, requesting a written response.

Wishing everyone a Good Thanksgiving, I think I'll sign off for now...