Risk Management & Mitigation Flashcards

Which integrated pest management (IPM) strategy is considered the most sustainable long-term approach for archival repositories?

Answer: Preventing pest entry through building maintenance and environmental controls

IPM emphasizes prevention through environmental controls and building maintenance rather than relying primarily on chemical treatments.

A risk assessment matrix typically plots risks according to which two variables?

Answer: Likelihood and impact

A risk matrix evaluates each risk based on its probability of occurrence (likelihood) and the severity of consequences (impact).

For off-site backup storage of digital archival materials, which principle should guide the selection of the backup location?

Answer: The backup site should be in a different geographic risk zone from the primary site

Off-site backups should be located in a geographically separate risk zone so that a single regional disaster cannot destroy both the primary and backup copies.

What is the 3-2-1 backup rule as applied to digital archives?

Answer: Keep 3 backups, on 2 different media types, with 1 backup off-site

The 3-2-1 rule specifies three copies of data on two different media types, with one copy stored off-site for disaster resilience.

When wet paper archival materials must be air-dried after water damage, what is the recommended maximum stack thickness to prevent additional damage?

Answer: No more than 1 inch

Wet paper should be air-dried in stacks no more than one inch thick to allow adequate airflow and prevent additional distortion and mold growth.

Which standard provides guidance for risk assessment and risk management applicable to cultural heritage institutions, including archives?

Answer: ISO 31000

ISO 31000 provides internationally recognized principles and guidelines for risk management applicable across sectors, including cultural heritage.

An archivist notices evidence of silverfish in a storage area. Which corrective action addresses both immediate infestation and long-term prevention?

Answer: Remove affected materials, reduce humidity, seal entry points, and consult a licensed pest control professional

A comprehensive response addresses the immediate infestation, modifies the environment to be inhospitable to pests, and prevents re-entry through professional consultation.