Data processing and hosting is a key component of litigation, especially the eDiscovery process. Each matter will produce a massive amount of data that needs to be processed and managed in an organized fashion after the collection stage. Data spread across disparate vendors or multiple technologies can create challenges for cost control and data security. Additionally, the decisions an organization makes about processing will have a downstream effect on the latter eDiscovery phases. Processing data is a critical step in a project’s lifecycle that can impact the overall cost and successful outcome of a case. For example, if there are not adequate security measures in place at these early stages then confidential data could become compromised. Additionally, when multiple languages are involved the failure to utilize services with international offerings will only make reviewing and analyzing data challenging. To simplify this process and ensure your organization is making an informed and smart decision about data processing and hosting, make sure your provider can offer all of these things:

• Full service eDiscovery: Look for providers that offer the full package and can assist you at every step, not just processing and hosting. Utilizing one entity for collection, processing, hosting, and review keeps with customizable options to meet fluctuating storage and processing needs. This also promotes uniformity for workflow and security.

• Global capabilities: With so many cases including international components or requiring different language needs, choosing vendors that have global presence is critical and simplifies the litigation process.

• Superior security measures: Data subject to a lawsuit will contain confidential and sensitive information like communications subject to attorney-client privilege, social security numbers, health information, and business trade secrets. It is important that a vendor deploys top security measures to safeguard vulnerable data.

• Proper data handling: Utilize processing experts that deploy defensible methods to extract records, assign tags, identify and index metadata, and cull data. Ensuring these early processing steps are done correctly will lead to downstream efficiencies. Important offerings to look for include processing platforms that can handle a large variety of file types, technology with built-in language recognition and translation features, customizable processing specifications, client access to data flow dashboards, and periodic outcome reporting.

So is it time to reevaluate how your organization approaches data processing and hosting? It might be prudent to review processes and partnerships to ensure all these components are being met. Above all, make sure your provider can provide flexible and scalable options, deploys appropriate security measures, and meets your budgeting expectations. Remember, what you choose to do for processing and hosting will set the stage for the rest of the litigation process!