The Digital Preservation Coalition (DPC) welcomes the Atomic Weapons Establishment (AWE) this month, as they become the Coalition’s newest Associate member.
In one form of another, AWE has been part of the UK defence establishment for more than 70 years. Over this time, it has accumulated a significant archive, demonstrating the importance of robust records management and preservation. AWE’s archives include many legacy media types and formats and ensuring the resilience of these records is critical for national security and safety.
“Joining DPC connects us to a likeminded community which understands the positive reasons for preserving digital materials and is making significant progress too,” explains Wendy Thomas, Archivist for AWE.
“We are keen to learn from organizations that are more advanced on their digital preservation journey than we are, but we also have insights of our own to share. We look forward to benefitting from and contributing to the expert knowledge of the community.”
The nuclear sector is heavily regulated with lifecycles for data and products running to many decades, creating urgent and important requirements for first class records management and preservation.
Juan Bicarregui, Chair of the Digital Preservation Coalition said “Nuclear research and nuclear technologies come with a material concern for safety which lasts at least as long as the technologies exist and often-times a lot longer. The Board warmly welcomes AWE’s commitment to learn from others and to share their insights on the preservation of digital records. They will contribute immensely to the Coalition as well as helping to maintain their own records.”
The not-for-profit DPC is an international advocate and catalyst for digital preservation, helping members around the world to deliver resilient long-term access to digital content and services through community engagement, advocacy, training and workforce development, capacity building, good practice and standards, and through good management and governance. Its vision is a secure digital legacy.
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