If you have Federal records in the cloud, additional metadata might need to be applied to maintain relational links between records stored in the cloud and in local storage. You should assess metadata requirements before records are transferred to or created in the cloud. Also, the contract between the agency and the cloud service provider should include minimum metadata requirements.
Metadata are records that need to be managed and retrievable These NARA Bulletins provide further records management guidance for agencies on the topic of metadata and cloud computing:
- NARA Bulletin 2015-04: Metadata Guidance for the Transfer of Permanent Electronic Records
- NARA Bulletin 2010-05: Guidance on Managing Records in Cloud Computing Environments
Federal agencies are responsible for managing their records in accordance with NARA statutes including the Federal Records Act (44 U.S.C. Chapters 21, 29, 31, 33) and NARA regulations (36 CFR Chapter XII Subchapter B).