1. A method, comprising: receiving input at an online electronic data discovery (EDD) system from a source device via a private network, wherein the input indicates that data related to a legal matter is to be preserved and wherein the input identifies a custodian associated with the data; automatically accessing a directory via the private network and receiving information from the directory indicating a status of the identified custodian; sending a preservation notice to the identified custodian when the information received from the directory indicates that the custodian is accessible via the private network, wherein the preservation notice indicates that data related to the legal matter is not to be discarded; and sending the preservation notice to another custodian when the information received from the directory indicates that the identified custodian is not accessible.