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EDRM: DOES THE EMPEROR HAVE NO CLOTHES?

February 8, 2008

One of my favorite blogs is Infogovernance http://infogovernance.blogspot.com by blogger Rob Robinson. One of his recent posts struck me as especially significant. I think it is important to consider the questions he asks about the Electronic Discovery Reference Model (EDRM) and its XML2 (Extensible Markup Language) project. Very appropriately, he gives a lot of credit to George Socha and Tom Gelbmann, founders of the EDRM, who have done a great deal to bring the discussion of ED standards to the forefront.

Nonetheless, there are still hard questions to be asked about the independence of a project which is largely populated by large ED vendors. Is there any true neutrality there? The membership roster certainly suggests that there might be self-interest at stake. Certainly, one would not look at the list and think “yup, these guys are going to be objective.” Small ED companies (yes, absolutely, like ours, so take this with a grain of salt) are wary of the big guys making the rules.

I don’t want to steal Rob’s thunder, so read his thoughtful blog entry and see if you agree that “the emperor has no clothes.” My own feelings are mixed, but I certainly agree that the objectivity of this group is questionable, and unlikely to be accepted by the ED community at large. Not all computer forensics companies are going to conform to this standard. Does that mean you shouldn’t hire them? I am reluctant to see an imprimatur placed on those companies who do conform, when all the rules have been made by the big boys. Call me cynical. You’d be right.

Rob’s post may be found at http://infogovernance.blogspot.com/2008/02/does-emperor-have-any-clothes-on.html

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