AC26 | Session 35
From Chaos to Confidence: How Strong Repositories & Retention Schedules Enable AI Readiness and Cyber Resilience
Target: Federal, Tribal, State, Local, Public Institutions of Higher Learning
Focus: Archives, Records Management
Levels: Intermediate
GARA: "Retention & Disposition" OR "Digital Repository Management" 
Overview

Important Note: This session is designed purely as thought leadership and educational guidance. It is not a vendor sales presentation, product demonstration, or promotional opportunity. The focus is on sharing best practices, frameworks, and insights relevant to NAGARA’s public-sector community.

Public-sector organizations are under increasing pressure to modernize systems, prepare for AI-driven capabilities, and safeguard sensitive information (all while managing decades of records stored across legacy systems, file shares, and cloud platforms). For government agencies, real progress doesn’t begin with new tools (it begins with understanding, organizing, and governing the information you already have).

This session examines how a well-managed repository (supported by clear, current, and defensible retention schedules) forms the foundation for both responsible AI adoption and stronger cyber resilience. Attendees will gain practical insight into how data sprawl, outdated schedules, and ungoverned ROT (redundant, outdated, trivial content) complicate modernization efforts, trigger compliance risk, burden staff, and widen the impact of cyber incidents.

Designed for archivists, records managers, IT leaders, and government administrators, this session provides a roadmap for improving data hygiene and strengthening the governance layer needed to advance digital transformation, respond to public records obligations, and prepare for AI in today’s public sector environment.

Key Takeaways
  • How foundational governance accelerates modernization and AI readiness (and why accurate, well-classified, and accessible records are essential for trustworthy AI, automation, and efficient public services)
  • How modern retention schedules reduce exposure and support compliance (including how updating and simplifying schedules can reduce sensitive data holdings, minimize breach impact, and improve responsiveness to public records, legal, and regulatory requirements)

This session helps attendees understand how strong records management and updated retention practices support cybersecurity, AI readiness, and overall information resilience. It’s designed for professionals exploring how data quality, governance, and repository health influence an agency’s ability to protect information and modernize responsibly.

Presenter
Senior Director, Morae
Kurt is an entrepreneur, writer, and speaker with over 30 years of experience as a strategic advisor and expert in information lifecycle management. He previously founded Accutrac Software Inc. (a records management software solution used by leading law firms, government agencies, and Fortune 1000 corporations). He currently serves as a Senior Director at Morae, bringing a consultative approach and strategic leadership to drive growth and deliver customer-centered solutions.