What happens if you fail to properly classify documents requiring long-term retention?

Failing to properly classify documents that require long-term retention can lead to premature deletion of those documents. Without the correct classification, a document may be treated as disposable or non-essential, making it more likely to be deleted in routine maintenance or data management procedures designed to reduce storage costs or streamline access.

Proper classification serves as a guideline for retention policies, indicating which documents must be kept for legal, compliance, or operational reasons. When documents are not accurately classified, organizations risk losing critical information that could have significant long-term implications, from legal challenges to corporate memory loss.

Consequently, it is essential for organizations to implement rigorous document classification systems to ensure that important documents are preserved according to their retention requirements and avoid premature loss.