This is the third post in our
Litigation Holds Series.
A "data map" is a comprehensive inventory
of an organization's IT systems and paper record storage
locations. It includes the locations of all electronically
stored information (ESI) maintained by an organization. The
existence of a data map is useful – if not critical –
for implementing a litigation hold because the organization must be
able to identify all of the documents and ESI to be preserved, what
people control and have access to those materials, and where the
materials are located. When information is scattered across
departments and controlled by various individuals, the data map can
help guide the way.
Data mapping starts with an understanding that ESI,
unless restricted, can easily become voluminous and may be stored
anywhere within the organization. Employees in various
departments may use different systems and software depending on the
nature of their work. According to the Electronic
