IDC and Kahn Consulting, Inc. Launch Compliance Event.

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

FRAMINGHAM, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 22, 2004

IDC and Kahn Consulting, Inc. (KCI) have partnered to launch the Legal and Regulatory Compliance in Information Management Forum, a new event designed to help senior executives understand the

Forum attendees will gain insight from industry thought leaders, including Senator Steve Peace (D-40th District), who was instrumental in the creation of the California Database Protection Act of 2003 (SB 1386) and other key legislation during his 20-year career in the California Legislature. Senator Peace will open the Forum, which will also feature speakers from Ameritrade Holding Company, KCI, Kirkpatrick & Lockhart LLP, IDC, Rogers Communications, Takeda Pharmaceutical, The MONY Group, and other organizations.

"With the emergence of laws like SB 1386 and Sarbanes-Oxley, information management has taken center stage for 2004," said Randolph A. Kahn, Esq., founder and principal of KCI, and co-chair of the Forum. "It is no longer feasible for organizations to look at information management as a tactical activity when their success - and survival - can rest on the way that email and other types of digital information is used, retained, and managed throughout the organization."

A growing body of laws and regulations that affect the creation, retention, storage, and transmission of information are driving many organizations to change the way they operate. For example, a survey recently conducted by KCI and AIIM International found that a majority of organizations are implementing new technology and creating new policies as a result of such developments.

"The Forum will provide a unique experience for attendees," said Elizabeth Cutler, vice president of IDC's U.S. conference business. "Not only will attendees hear from world-class experts, but they will also be able to sign up for one-on-one meetings with compliance experts at the event, where they can address the specific compliance issues they are grappling with at their organization."

Sponsors and partners include Hitachi Data Systems, Iron Mountain, AIIM International, KMworld, InfoWorld, and ARMA International.

For more information or to register for this new conference, please visit www.idc.com/compliancewest04. To learn about conference sponsorship opportunities, please contact Mary Connell, 508-935-4790, mconnell@idc.com.

About Kahn Consulting

Kahn Consulting, Inc. ("KCI") is a consulting firm specializing in the legal and policy issues of information technology and information management. Through a range of services including information management program development; risk management audits; product assessments; legal and compliance research, and education and training, KCI helps its clients address today's critical issues in an ever-changing regulatory and technological environment. Based in Chicago, KCI provides its services to Fortune 500 companies and government agencies in North America and around the world. Kahn has advised clients such as McDonalds Corp., Sony Corp., United Health Group, Prudential Financial, the Federal Reserve Banks, Merck & Co., Ameritech/SBC Communications, Motorola, Altria Group, Inc., Mutual of Omaha, and the Environmental Protection Agency. In 2003, a KCI whitepaper was judged the "top software whitepaper of the year" by Bitpipe, and KCI principals wrote two books addressing email management and compliance issues. More information about KCI, its services and its clients can be found online at: www.KahnConsultingInc.com.

About IDC

IDC is the premier global market intelligence and advisory firm in the information technology and telecommunications industries. We analyze and predict technology trends so that our clients can make strategic, fact-based decisions on IT purchases and business strategy. Over 700 IDC analysts in 50 countries provide local expertise and insights on technology markets. Business executives and IT managers have relied for 40 years on our advice to make decisions that contribute to the success of their organizations.

IDC is a division of IDG, the world's leading technology media, research, and events company. Additional information can be found at www.idc.com

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