57 SPEC Kit 354: Data Curation
Emulation: Provide legacy system configurations in modern equipment in order to ensure long-term
usability of data (e.g., arcade games emulated on modern web-browsers)
File Audit: Periodic review of the digital integrity of the data files and taking action when needed to
protect data from digital erosion (e.g., bitrot) and/or hardware failure.
Migration: Monitor and anticipate file format obsolescence and, as needed, transform obsolete file
formats to new formats as standards and use dictate.
Repository Certification: The technical and administrative capacities of the repository undergo
review through a transparent and well-documented process by a trusted third-party accreditation
body (e.g., TRAC, or Data Seal of Approval).
Secure Storage: Data files are properly stored in a well-configured (in terms of hardware and
software) storage environment that is routinely backed-up and physically protected. Perform routine
fixity checks (to detect degradation or loss) and provide recovery services as needed.
Succession Planning: Planning for contingency, and/or escrow arrangements, in the case that the
repository (or other entity responsible) ceases to operate or the institution substantially changes
its scope.
Technology Monitoring and Refresh: Formal, periodic review and assessment to ensure
responsiveness to technological developments and evolving requirements of the digital infrastructure
and hardware storing the data.
Versioning: Provide mechanisms to ingest new versions of the data overtime that includes metadata
describing the version history and any changes made for each version.
41. Please indicate the importance of these data curation preservation activities on a scale of 1 to 5
where 1=essential 2=very important 3=moderately important 4=less important 5=not important.
N=23
Activity 1 2 3 4 5 Rating Average
Secure Storage 16 4 2 0 1 1.52
File Audit 12 4 4 2 1 1.96
Versioning 10 7 4 0 2 2.00
Succession Planning 9 7 4 1 2 2.13
Technology Monitoring and Refresh 7 7 6 0 3 2.35
Migration 7 5 7 1 3 2.48
Cease Data Curation 5 7 6 3 2 2.57
Repository Certification 3 5 9 2 4 2.96
Emulation 1 6 3 7 6 3.48
#of respondents 18 18 15 9 7
Note: A lower average rating indicates a more important activity.
Comments N=4
Emulation and repository certification are important, but not everyone needs to achieve this level.
Some of these will probably be the responsibility of central IT.
Succession planning is absolutely essential.
TRAC certification is important, but having the certification is not essential.
Emulation: Provide legacy system configurations in modern equipment in order to ensure long-term
usability of data (e.g., arcade games emulated on modern web-browsers)
File Audit: Periodic review of the digital integrity of the data files and taking action when needed to
protect data from digital erosion (e.g., bitrot) and/or hardware failure.
Migration: Monitor and anticipate file format obsolescence and, as needed, transform obsolete file
formats to new formats as standards and use dictate.
Repository Certification: The technical and administrative capacities of the repository undergo
review through a transparent and well-documented process by a trusted third-party accreditation
body (e.g., TRAC, or Data Seal of Approval).
Secure Storage: Data files are properly stored in a well-configured (in terms of hardware and
software) storage environment that is routinely backed-up and physically protected. Perform routine
fixity checks (to detect degradation or loss) and provide recovery services as needed.
Succession Planning: Planning for contingency, and/or escrow arrangements, in the case that the
repository (or other entity responsible) ceases to operate or the institution substantially changes
its scope.
Technology Monitoring and Refresh: Formal, periodic review and assessment to ensure
responsiveness to technological developments and evolving requirements of the digital infrastructure
and hardware storing the data.
Versioning: Provide mechanisms to ingest new versions of the data overtime that includes metadata
describing the version history and any changes made for each version.
41. Please indicate the importance of these data curation preservation activities on a scale of 1 to 5
where 1=essential 2=very important 3=moderately important 4=less important 5=not important.
N=23
Activity 1 2 3 4 5 Rating Average
Secure Storage 16 4 2 0 1 1.52
File Audit 12 4 4 2 1 1.96
Versioning 10 7 4 0 2 2.00
Succession Planning 9 7 4 1 2 2.13
Technology Monitoring and Refresh 7 7 6 0 3 2.35
Migration 7 5 7 1 3 2.48
Cease Data Curation 5 7 6 3 2 2.57
Repository Certification 3 5 9 2 4 2.96
Emulation 1 6 3 7 6 3.48
#of respondents 18 18 15 9 7
Note: A lower average rating indicates a more important activity.
Comments N=4
Emulation and repository certification are important, but not everyone needs to achieve this level.
Some of these will probably be the responsibility of central IT.
Succession planning is absolutely essential.
TRAC certification is important, but having the certification is not essential.
