organizational programs. Records and information management professionals are instrumental in controlling and safeguarding the information assets of the entity. They understand how to manage the creation, access, distribution, storage, and disposition of records and information in an efficient and cost-effective manner using records and information management methodology, principles, and best practices in compliance with records and information laws and regulations. Records continuum theory The records continuum theory is an abstract conceptual model that helps to understand and explore recordkeeping activities in relation to multiple contexts over space and time. Records management practices and concepts A records manager is someone who is responsible for records management in an organization. Section 4 of the ISO 15489-1:2001 states that records management includes: setting policies and standards assigning responsibilities and authorities establishing and promulgating procedures and guidelines providing a range of services relating to the management and use of records designing, implementing and administering specialized systems for managing records integrating records management into business systems and processes Thus, the practice of records management may involve: planning the information needs of an organization identifying information requiring capture creating, approving, and enforcing policies and practices regarding records, including their organization and disposal developing a records storage plan, which includes the short and long-term housing of physical records and digital information identifying, classifying, and storing records coordinating access to records internally and outside of the organization, balancing the requirements of business confidentiality, data privacy, and public access. identification and maintenance of records per a specified retention period executing a retention policy on the disposal of records which are no longer required for operational reasons; according to organizational policies, statutory requirements, and other regulations this may involve either their destruction or permanent preservation in an archive. Records-management principles and automated records-management systems aid in the capture, classification, and ongoing management of records throughout their lifecycle. ARMA International defines records management as "the field of management responsible for establishing and implementing policies, systems, and procedures to capture, create, access, distribute, use, store, secure, retrieve, and ensure disposition of an organization's records and information". Such a system may be paper-based (such as index cards as used in a library), or may involve a computer system, such as an electronic records-management application. Defensible solutions A defensible solution is one that can be supported with clearly documented policies, processes and procedures that drive how and why work is performed, as well as