Patent ID: 7703125

Claim:
A computer-implemented method for deleting electronic documents, the computer-implemented method comprising: at a network device, receiving a signal indicating that a retention policy audit should be conducted; in response to the signal, performing the retention policy audit on the network device by retrieving document retention policy data that specifies, for each of a plurality of electronic document classifications, one or more corresponding electronic document types and one or more deletion criteria that include a time duration that specifies how long electronic documents that are associated with the electronic document classification and that are the same type as the one or more corresponding electronic document types should be maintained, identifying, from the plurality of electronic document classifications, one or more electronic document classifications for which the corresponding time duration is satisfied, identifying one or more electronic documents that are both associated with the identified one or more electronic document classifications and that are the same type as the one or more corresponding electronic document types, causing the deletion of the one or more electronic documents that are both associated with the identified one or more electronic document classifications and of the one or more corresponding electronic document types, and generating audit report data that indicates results of performing the retention policy audit; and if a determination is made that an electronic document that is both associated with the identified one or more electronic document classifications and of the one or more corresponding electronic document types is stored on a removable medium that is not currently accessible, then attempting to cause the removable medium to be made accessible, and if the removable medium can be made accessible, then causing the electronic document to be deleted from the removable medium, and updating the audit report data to indicate that the electronic document was deleted.