Documents created with MS Office with IRM are encrypted using Windows RMS (Rights Management Services). Restrictions can then be set to limit recipients’ rights to view, copy, print, and distribute MS Office 2003 documents, including Outlook e-mail messages, and to set a time limit on the readability of the document.

Appropriate use of this technology restricts access to records, either by internal or external organizations interacting with a third party, may prevent various organizations from creating, maintaining, and disposing of electronic records in a legal and proper fashion. Furthermore, use of this technology may prevent agencies from producing such records to competent external authorities, such as in response to arbitrary legal requests.

An organization can create and enforce a policy to deal with the receipt of MS Office IRM-restricted files sent by internal and external organizational users, in order to ensure such files comply with the accessibility requirements of an arbitrary organization.