Authenticity of digital records in practice

The ability of citizens to access their government's information fully and in a timely manner is one of the cornerstones of democracy. Citizens' rights and government accountability depend on how information - how records - are created, managed, and preserved. One of the critical aspects of government records is the ability to attest to their authenticity over time and across space. This paper presents selected findings of research into how records professionals approach the issue of authenticity of digital records for which they are responsible. While much research has been and continues to be conducted into the protection of authenticity in the context of requirements for digital preservation, little research has been done until now on the practice and beliefs of practitioners.