Government agencies have to accommodate demand for online service delivery to meet business requirements and societal expectations. The so-called "eGovernment" provides mechanisms for creating, managing and remaining web-based records. To ensure efficient, accountable and cost-effective government services, agencies must keep full and accurate electronic records of their decisions, transactions and activities in a form that ensures the reliability and accessibility of those records for as long as defined by government regulations.

The loss of records of web-based activity will leave agencies exposed to considerable legal, financial and political risk. To protect the interests of both agencies and citizens it is important to implement an archive strategy which captures and retains full and accurate records of all electronically generated documents.

All records that relate to the interaction with citizens or other government agencies, i.e. historical, legal and fiscal records, forms like applications, permits, licenses as well as criminal data, security threats, and emergency communications

Government agencies must create and manage electronic records with the same care as they manage paper records. All digital documents created or received in the conduct of government business have to be archived according to government regulation. One example for specific requirements is the "GPEA" Government Paperwork Elimination Act which has the following statement: GPEA requires Federal agencies, by October 21, 2003, to allow individuals or entities that deal with the agencies the option to submit information or transact with the agency electronically, when practicable, and to maintain records electronically, when practicable. The Act specifically states that electronic records and their related electronic signatures are not to be denied legal effect, validity, or enforceability merely because they are in electronic form, and encourages Federal government use of a range of electronic signature alternatives. The archive of such electronic records for extended periods of time is a new challenge with respect to the required capacity and access frequency.