Certifying Digital Repositories: Development of the Audit Checklist by the RLG-NARA Taskforce

Abstract

Over the last three years, the RLG - National Archives and Records Administration (US) Taskforce on Digital Repository certification has worked to develop a checklist which would allow objective evaluation of digital repositories and archives. The checklist was based upon international standards and community best practices for digital preservation as well as influences from information technology and information security standards. The goal was to develop metrics to evaluate three aspects influencing repository trustworthiness: the characteristics of the archiving organization that affect performance, accountability, and business continuity; technologies and technical infrastructure employed by the repository; and finally the processes and procedures utilized by the repository. A draft checklist was released for public consumption and comment in August 2005, leading to further development. In addition, the checklist has been leveraged by the Center for Research Libraries Auditing and Certification of Digital Archives project and used in test audits of three digital repositories and archives. Through public comment, practical application, and other CRL project activities, we have made further progress toward the development of a fully-fledged program of audit & certification for digital repositories. This presentation will discuss checklist development, envisioned uses of the checklist, the emerging audit & certification process, potential audit & certification process outputs, and compliance issues.