Essential Records

Definition(s):

Information systems and applications, electronic and hardcopy documents, references, and records needed to support essential functions during a continuity event. The two basic categories of essential records are emergency operating records and rights and interest records. Emergency operating records are essential to the continued functioning or reconstitution of an organization. Rights and interest records are critical to carrying out an organization’s essential legal and financial functions and vital to the protection of the legal and financial rights of individuals who are directly affected by that organization’s activities. The term “vital records” refers to a specific sub-set of essential records relating to birth, death, and marriage documents.

Source: FCD-1

Erwood Group:

Essential Records are records that must be kept permanently and that are vital to the operations of an organization. These records document important decisions, activities, and transactions that took place during the life of the organization. Examples of essential records include legal documents, financial statements, meeting minutes, and personnel records.