Global Information Governance Day

Global Information Governance Day is observed on the third Thursday of February. In 2026, it falls on February 19. This professional observance highlights the importance of managing corporate and personal data through structured policies. It serves as a global call to action for organizations to evaluate how they create, store, and eventually dispose of information to ensure security and compliance.

History of Global Information Governance Day

The holiday was established in 2012 by a group of industry experts including Garth Landers, Tamir Sigal, and Barclay T. Blair. These founders recognized that while records management was a long-standing discipline, the explosion of digital data required a more comprehensive approach. They launched the initiative to bridge the gap between IT, legal, and compliance departments, advocating for a holistic “governance” framework rather than just simple storage solutions.

Since its inception, the day has evolved alongside rapidly changing technology and privacy regulations. In its early years, the focus was largely on email archiving and physical record retention. Today, the day has expanded to address modern challenges such as cloud computing, artificial intelligence ethics, and stringent data protection laws like the GDPR. It is now recognized by professional organizations worldwide, including the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) and various information governance think tanks.

Why is Global Information Governance Day important?

The significance of this day lies in its ability to address the risks associated with “dark data” and unmanaged information. Most organizations generate massive amounts of data that are never used, which increases the risk of security breaches and legal liabilities. This observance provides a dedicated time for professionals to discuss data minimization—the practice of only keeping what is necessary—thereby reducing the digital footprint of a company and protecting the privacy of individuals.

Beyond risk mitigation, the day emphasizes the value of information as a corporate asset. Proper governance ensures that data is accurate, accessible, and searchable, which allows businesses to make better decisions and improve operational efficiency. By bringing together experts from different fields, the day breaks down professional silos. It encourages a unified strategy where IT security, legal discovery, and business goals work in tandem to handle information responsibly throughout its entire lifecycle.

• It raises awareness about the legal and financial risks of poor data management.
• The day promotes the adoption of international standards for data privacy and security.
• It encourages organizations to delete obsolete or redundant data to save storage costs.
• Professionals use the day to educate executives on the importance of data integrity.
• It highlights the role of information governance in ethical artificial intelligence development.

How to Observe Global Information Governance Day

Observing this day typically involves professional development and internal auditing. Many organizations host webinars or town hall meetings to discuss their current data policies and upcoming regulatory changes. It is a common time for companies to launch “clean-up” initiatives, where employees are encouraged to delete unnecessary files and organize their digital workspaces according to company retention schedules. These practical steps help reinforce a culture of accountability regarding information handling.

For individuals in the field, the day is an opportunity for networking and skill-building. Industry groups often release white papers, research reports, and toolkits specifically for this occasion. You can participate by attending virtual conferences or joining social media discussions using the holiday’s dedicated hashtags. On a personal level, it is a great time to review your own digital hygiene, such as updating passwords, enabling two-factor authentication, and clearing out old cloud storage files that may contain sensitive personal information.

• Audit your digital files and delete documents that are no longer needed.
• Attend an industry webinar to learn about new data privacy regulations.
• Review and update your company’s information retention and disposal policies.
• Organize a department meeting to discuss better ways to share and store data.
• Share educational resources about data security with colleagues and friends.

Global Information Governance Day Table