New information governance gateway will be 'invaluable asset' to the sector

The importance and profile of information governance has grown rapidly in recent years and the responsibilities of public sector organisations in this area have never been more apparent. The <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 /?>UK and Scotland have introduced fresh legislation affecting information access and privacy and there are ever more demands on the university sector to manage its records more efficiently as well as to become more open. Accessing up to date and authoritative news and resources on information-related legislation and good practice is a challenge for all organisations.  

But today sees the launch of Jisc’s Information Governance Gateway (JIGG), a comprehensive resource on all matters relating to information governance legislation and the HE sector.  Hosted by Mimas and led by the University of Manchester, the Gateway will cover records management, data protection, copyright, freedom of information and related legislation.

The Gateway has been commissioned as part of Jisc's ongoing programme of activities aimed at supporting and developing insti'The importance and profile of information governance has grown rapidly in recent years and the responsibilities of public sector organizations in this area have never been more apparent.'tutional records management and compliance with information-related legislation.  It will contain resources of relevance to both HE practitioners and the public regarding information governance legislation, including a central point of access to all HE Publication Schemes and other relevant web pages.  The Gateway will also lower the barriers of entry for those institutions wishing to proactively make their FOI disclosures available online.

It is also intended that the Gateway will encourage online debate and the exchange of learning and best practice concerning information governance.

Andy Dyson, Jisc Programme Director, welcomed the launch of the new Gateway, saying: ‘Compliance with information legislation has become a vital aspect of institutional governance in higher education over the last few years and the launch of the Jisc Information Governance Gateway is a timely reminder of its continuing importance. Jisc is delighted to be funding a resource which we hope will be an invaluable asset to a great many people across the sector.’

Jonathan Orford, JIGG Project Lead, said ‘There is an enormous amount of expertise within the HE sector on information governance, what JIGG is attempting to do is provide a platform for sharing that knowledge. The official launch is only the beginning, we expect JIGG to develop continually over the next year or more, but in a way that is always driven by the needs of the practitioner community.’

For further information, and to access the Gateway, please go to: Jisc Information Governance Gateway