ABSTRACT
In many instances, the archive will be more concerned with the security of its holdings than with that of the information used to document the material, but limitations on re-use, because of copyright and other restrictions, must be taken into account. The first area which must be considered is that which relates to data protection. In the United Kingdom, any information relating to individuals must be declared and registered in accordance with the Data Protection Act, which allows anyone to see information relating to themselves. Another aspect of information security relates to any data that could be deemed sensitive or confidential. The ideal solution to maintaining appropriate security is to use a database with access control by password and to set up a range of levels of access. Ensuring the security of traditional analogue holdings presents few major problems other than keeping the material under lock and key and drawing up a list of authorised key-holders.
