Unlike paper records, that data cannot be determined at a later date. Appropriate records management principles should be an essential component in the design of new systems or the upgrading of existing systems. Electronic records should be created in reliable and secure systems. Local government entities should identify systems that create and maintain electronic records. The development, modification, operation, and use of these systems should be documented and measures should be taken to ensure reliability and security of records over time.
Reliability refers to a record's authority and trustworthiness at the time of creation.
To ensure reliability, agencies must establish procedures for creating official records electronically. Agencies must take measures to prevent unauthorized access to electronic records. Data must be captured which document the context, content and structure of electronic records. Context establishes who created the record and the transaction of which it was a part. Content is the actual data.