Iregelverket

Iregelverket is a term used in Norwegian governance to describe a regulatory framework for information handling and digital administration. It refers to a set of rules, standards, and guidelines intended to ensure that organizations manage information in a secure, lawful, and efficient manner.

Scope and aims: The framework applies to public sector bodies and often to private actors that perform public tasks or handle sensitive information. It covers data protection, information security, records management, archiving, accessibility, and interoperability across information systems. The aim is to create consistent practices for how information is created, stored, accessed, shared, and disposed of.

Key components: Core elements typically include data protection and privacy in line with applicable law, security controls such as risk assessments and access management, and technical measures like encryption where appropriate. It also encompasses data governance roles (for example, responsibility of data controllers and, where applicable, data protection officers), lifecycle management with retention schedules, incident reporting and breach notification, and mechanisms for audits, monitoring, and accountability.

Governance and implementation: Responsibility for the Iregelverket is usually vested in a central or supervisory authority, with sector-specific guidelines issued to address different contexts. Adoption occurs through organizational policies, system configurations, staff training, and supplier contracts to ensure compliance across processes and technologies.

Relation to other laws: The framework is designed to complement and align with broader legal regimes, notably data protection regulations, privacy and archiving laws, and information-technology procurement standards.

History and reception: The concept gained prominence with the rise of e-government initiatives and GDPR-era compliance. Proponents view it as promoting uniform practices and accountability, while critics point to administrative burden and resource requirements for smaller organizations.

See also: General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), information governance, records management.