Record Keeping
Overview
Effective record keeping is fundamental to regulatory compliance. Earna AI maintains comprehensive records to demonstrate compliance with various Canadian regulations including PCMLTFA, PIPEDA, and provincial requirements. This document outlines record types, retention periods, storage requirements, and management procedures.
Regulatory Framework
Record Classification
Primary Record Types
interface RecordClassification {
customerRecords: {
category: 'Customer Due Diligence'
types: [
'Identity verification documents',
'Beneficial ownership information',
'Risk assessments',
'PEP/sanctions screening results',
'Enhanced due diligence documentation'
]
retention: '5 years after account closure'
regulation: 'PCMLTFA'
}
transactionRecords: {
category: 'Transaction Information'
types: [
'Transaction details and amounts',
'Account information',
'Correspondent banking info',
'Wire transfer instructions',
'Supporting documentation'
]
retention: '5 years from transaction date'
regulation: 'PCMLTFA'
}
complianceRecords: {
category: 'Compliance Documentation'
types: [
'Suspicious transaction reports',
'Compliance policies and procedures',
'Training records',
'Audit reports',
'Regulatory correspondence'
]
retention: '5-7 years depending on type'
regulation: 'Multiple'
}
businessRecords: {
category: 'Corporate Records'
types: [
'Financial statements',
'Board minutes',
'Contracts and agreements',
'Insurance policies',
'License applications'
]
retention: '7 years minimum'
regulation: 'Provincial/Corporate'
}
}
Data Sensitivity Levels
sensitivity_classification:
public:
description: "Information available to general public"
examples: ["Marketing materials", "Public announcements"]
protection: "Standard"
internal:
description: "Internal business information"
examples: ["Policies", "Procedures", "Training materials"]
protection: "Access controlled"
confidential:
description: "Sensitive business information"
examples: ["Financial data", "Strategic plans", "Vendor contracts"]
protection: "Encrypted, need-to-know"
restricted:
description: "Highly sensitive regulated information"
examples: ["Customer data", "Transaction records", "STRs"]
protection: "Encrypted, logged access, retention managed"
Retention Schedule
Detailed Retention Matrix
Record Type | Regulation | Retention Period | Storage Location | Disposal Method |
---|---|---|---|---|
Customer Records | ||||
Identity verification | PCMLTFA | 5 years after closure | Secure database | Secure deletion |
Beneficial ownership | PCMLTFA | 5 years after closure | Secure database | Secure deletion |
Risk assessments | PCMLTFA | 5 years after closure | Secure database | Secure deletion |
PEP/sanctions screening | PCMLTFA | 5 years from screening | Secure database | Secure deletion |
Transaction Records | ||||
Transaction details | PCMLTFA | 5 years from transaction | Secure database | Secure deletion |
Account records | PCMLTFA | 5 years after closure | Secure database | Secure deletion |
Wire instructions | PCMLTFA | 5 years from transfer | Secure database | Secure deletion |
Compliance Records | ||||
STR records | PCMLTFA | 5 years from filing | Secure database | Secure deletion |
Training records | PCMLTFA | 5 years from training | HR system | Secure deletion |
Audit reports | Multiple | 7 years from report | Document system | Secure deletion |
Privacy Records | ||||
Consent records | PIPEDA | 1 year after withdrawal | Privacy system | Secure deletion |
Access requests | PIPEDA | 1 year from response | Privacy system | Secure deletion |
Breach records | PIPEDA | 2 years from resolution | Incident system | Secure deletion |
Financial Records | ||||
General ledger | CRA | 6 years from year end | Financial system | Secure deletion |
Tax records | CRA | 6 years from filing | Financial system | Secure deletion |
Payroll records | Provincial | 7 years from payment | HR system | Secure deletion |
Retention Management System
class RetentionManager {
async scheduleRetention(record: Record): Promise<RetentionSchedule> {
const policy = await this.getRetentionPolicy(record.type)
const schedule = {
recordId: record.id,
creationDate: record.createdDate,
retentionPeriod: policy.retentionPeriod,
disposalDate: this.calculateDisposalDate(record, policy),
legalHolds: await this.checkLegalHolds(record),
milestones: {
archive: this.calculateArchiveDate(record, policy),
review: this.calculateReviewDate(record, policy),
disposal: this.calculateDisposalDate(record, policy)
}
}
await this.createRetentionEntry(schedule)
return schedule
}
async processDisposal(): Promise<DisposalResult[]> {
const dueForDisposal = await this.getRecordsDueForDisposal()
const results: DisposalResult[] = []
for (const record of dueForDisposal) {
// Check for legal holds
if (await this.hasActiveLegalHold(record)) {
continue
}
// Verify disposal authorization
const authorized = await this.getDisposalAuthorization(record)
if (!authorized) {
continue
}
// Perform secure disposal
const result = await this.securelyDisposeRecord(record)
results.push(result)
// Create disposal certificate
await this.createDisposalCertificate(record, result)
}
return results
}
}
Storage Requirements
Technical Infrastructure
Security Controls
interface StorageSecurityControls {
encryption: {
atRest: {
algorithm: 'AES-256'
keyManagement: 'AWS KMS / Google Cloud KMS'
keyRotation: 'Annual'
compliance: 'FIPS 140-2 Level 3'
}
inTransit: {
protocol: 'TLS 1.3'
certificateValidation: true
perfectForwardSecrecy: true
}
applicationLevel: {
sensitiveFields: 'Field-level encryption'
keys: 'Separate key management service'
algorithms: 'AES-256-GCM'
}
}
accessControl: {
authentication: 'Multi-factor authentication'
authorization: 'Role-based access control (RBAC)'
audit: 'Comprehensive access logging'
permissions: {
read: 'Business need-to-know basis'
write: 'Authorized personnel only'
admin: 'Privileged access management'
delete: 'Dual authorization required'
}
}
backup: {
frequency: {
incremental: 'Hourly'
full: 'Daily'
archival: 'Weekly'
}
locations: {
primary: 'Same region, different availability zone'
secondary: 'Different geographic region'
offline: 'Air-gapped storage for critical records'
}
testing: {
restoration: 'Monthly restore tests'
integrity: 'Weekly backup validation'
recovery: 'Annual disaster recovery test'
}
}
}
Record Management Procedures
Document Lifecycle
document_lifecycle:
creation:
standards: "Standardized templates and formats"
metadata: "Automatic metadata capture"
classification: "Automatic data classification"
versioning: "Version control system"
storage:
indexing: "Searchable index creation"
filing: "Automated filing by type/date"
duplication: "Duplicate detection and prevention"
compression: "Lossless compression"
access:
authentication: "Multi-factor authentication"
authorization: "Role-based permissions"
tracking: "Complete access audit trail"
download: "Controlled download procedures"
maintenance:
review: "Periodic content review"
migration: "Format migration as needed"
integrity: "Regular integrity checks"
updates: "Controlled update procedures"
disposition:
evaluation: "Retention policy evaluation"
approval: "Disposal authorization"
execution: "Secure disposal execution"
certification: "Disposal certification"
Metadata Management
interface DocumentMetadata {
required: {
documentId: string
title: string
documentType: string
classification: 'Public' | 'Internal' | 'Confidential' | 'Restricted'
creator: string
creationDate: Date
lastModified: Date
version: string
}
compliance: {
retentionPeriod: number
regulatoryBasis: string[]
legalHolds: LegalHold[]
disposalDate: Date
disposalMethod: string
}
business: {
department: string
businessPurpose: string
relatedRecords: string[]
keywords: string[]
customFields: Record<string, any>
}
technical: {
format: string
size: number
checksum: string
location: string
backupStatus: BackupStatus
}
}
Physical Records Management
Physical Document Handling
physical_records:
reception:
scanning: "High-resolution document scanning"
indexing: "Barcode or QR code indexing"
verification: "Quality assurance checks"
storage: "Secure physical storage"
storage_facilities:
security:
- 24/7 surveillance
- Access control systems
- Environmental controls
- Fire suppression systems
organization:
- Standardized filing systems
- Box and folder labeling
- Location tracking
- Inventory management
handling:
access: "Controlled access procedures"
checkout: "Document checkout system"
tracking: "Chain of custody maintenance"
return: "Verification upon return"
disposal:
shredding: "Cross-cut shredding minimum"
witnessed: "Witnessed destruction"
certification: "Certificate of destruction"
documentation: "Complete disposal records"
Electronic Records Management
Digital Repository Architecture
System Requirements
interface DocumentManagementSystem {
functionality: {
capture: 'Multi-format document ingestion'
storage: 'Scalable, secure storage'
retrieval: 'Fast, indexed search'
workflow: 'Automated business processes'
compliance: 'Retention and disposal management'
}
features: {
versioning: 'Complete version history'
collaboration: 'Controlled document sharing'
approval: 'Electronic approval workflows'
templates: 'Standardized document templates'
reporting: 'Comprehensive analytics'
}
integration: {
authentication: 'SSO integration'
apis: 'RESTful API access'
backup: 'Enterprise backup systems'
compliance: 'GRC tool integration'
notifications: 'Email and alert systems'
}
compliance: {
audit: 'Comprehensive audit trails'
encryption: 'End-to-end encryption'
access: 'Granular access controls'
retention: 'Automated retention management'
disposal: 'Secure disposal capabilities'
}
}
Legal Hold Management
Legal Hold Process
Hold Management System
class LegalHoldManager {
async createHold(holdRequest: HoldRequest): Promise<LegalHold> {
const hold = {
holdId: generateHoldId(),
matter: holdRequest.matter,
issuedBy: holdRequest.legalCounsel,
issuedDate: new Date(),
scope: holdRequest.scope,
custodians: await this.identifyCustodians(holdRequest.scope),
records: await this.identifyRecords(holdRequest.scope),
status: 'active',
notifications: [],
compliance: []
}
// Suspend disposal for affected records
await this.suspendDisposal(hold.records)
// Notify custodians
await this.notifyCustodians(hold.custodians, hold)
// Create hold documentation
await this.documentHold(hold)
return hold
}
async releaseHold(holdId: string, releaseReason: string): Promise<void> {
const hold = await this.getHold(holdId)
// Update hold status
hold.status = 'released'
hold.releaseDate = new Date()
hold.releaseReason = releaseReason
// Resume normal retention
await this.resumeRetention(hold.records)
// Notify custodians
await this.notifyHoldRelease(hold.custodians, hold)
// Document release
await this.documentHoldRelease(hold)
await this.updateHold(hold)
}
}
Audit and Compliance
Record Keeping Audits
audit_program:
internal_audits:
frequency: "Quarterly"
scope: "Random sampling of record types"
criteria:
- Completeness of records
- Accuracy of metadata
- Compliance with retention schedules
- Security control effectiveness
external_audits:
frequency: "Annual"
auditors: "Independent third parties"
standards:
- ISO 27001
- SOC 2 Type II
- Regulatory requirements
regulatory_examinations:
frequency: "As required by regulators"
preparedness:
- Document readily available
- Staff training on examination process
- Coordination procedures
- Response protocols
Compliance Monitoring
interface ComplianceMonitoring {
metrics: {
retention: {
complianceRate: number // % of records with correct retention
overdueDisposals: number // Number of overdue disposals
legalHoldCompliance: number // % compliance with legal holds
}
security: {
accessViolations: number // Unauthorized access attempts
encryptionCoverage: number // % of records encrypted
backupSuccess: number // % successful backups
}
quality: {
metadataCompleteness: number // % records with complete metadata
integrityFailures: number // Number of integrity check failures
indexingErrors: number // Search indexing errors
}
}
alerting: {
retentionViolations: 'Real-time alerts'
securityIncidents: 'Immediate escalation'
systemFailures: 'Automated notifications'
}
reporting: {
dashboard: 'Real-time compliance dashboard'
monthly: 'Monthly compliance report'
regulatory: 'Regulatory examination packages'
}
}
Training and Awareness
Record Keeping Training Program
training_program:
general_awareness:
audience: "All employees"
frequency: "Annual"
topics:
- Record keeping responsibilities
- Data classification
- Retention requirements
- Legal holds
- Security procedures
specialized_training:
records_managers:
- Advanced retention management
- System administration
- Audit procedures
- Legal hold management
compliance_officers:
- Regulatory requirements
- Risk assessment
- Audit coordination
- Incident response
legal_counsel:
- Legal hold procedures
- Discovery management
- Privilege protection
- Litigation support
Technology Solutions
Recommended Tools
interface RecordKeepingTechnology {
documentManagement: {
enterprise: ['SharePoint', 'Box', 'Google Workspace']
specialized: ['OpenText', 'IBM FileNet', 'M-Files']
considerations: ['Integration', 'Scalability', 'Compliance features']
}
retention: {
tools: ['Compliance360', 'MetricStream', 'ServiceNow GRC']
features: ['Automated scheduling', 'Policy management', 'Reporting']
}
legalHold: {
solutions: ['Exterro', 'Onna', 'Microsoft Purview']
capabilities: ['Hold management', 'Collection', 'Review']
}
backup: {
cloud: ['AWS Backup', 'Azure Backup', 'Google Cloud Backup']
onPremise: ['Veeam', 'Commvault', 'Veritas']
hybrid: ['Integrated solutions']
}
}
Cost Management
Record Keeping Costs
cost_analysis:
storage_costs:
hot_storage: "$0.023/GB/month"
warm_storage: "$0.0125/GB/month"
cold_storage: "$0.004/GB/month"
backup: "$0.05/GB/month"
operational_costs:
staff: "2 FTE for record management"
systems: "$50,000/year software licensing"
facilities: "$10,000/year physical storage"
compliance: "$25,000/year audit and consulting"
optimization:
archival: "Move to cold storage after 2 years"
compression: "30% storage reduction"
automation: "50% staff time savings"
cloud: "25% cost reduction vs on-premise"
Disaster Recovery
Business Continuity
Recovery Procedures
interface DisasterRecovery {
rto: '24 hours' // Recovery Time Objective
rpo: '1 hour' // Recovery Point Objective
procedures: {
assessment: 'Assess scope of disaster'
activation: 'Activate DR procedures'
recovery: 'Restore systems and data'
testing: 'Verify data integrity'
communication: 'Notify stakeholders'
documentation: 'Document incident and recovery'
}
testing: {
frequency: 'Semi-annual'
scope: 'Full system recovery'
metrics: ['RTO achievement', 'RPO achievement', 'Data integrity']
}
}
Next Steps
- System Selection: Choose appropriate document management system
- Policy Development: Finalize retention policies
- Implementation: Deploy technology solutions
- Training: Train all relevant staff
- Testing: Test all procedures
- Monitoring: Establish ongoing monitoring
- Continuous Improvement: Regular process optimization
Resources
Regulatory Guidance
Industry Standards
- ISO 15489: Records Management
- ISO 27001: Information Security Management
- ARMA International Standards
Contact Information
- Records Manager: records@earna.ai
- Compliance Team: compliance@earna.ai
- IT Support: it-support@earna.ai
- Legal Counsel: legal@earna.ai
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