Which statement describes a decentralized filing system?

Which statement describes a decentralized filing system?

• A. The files are kept in a single central location
• B. Files are managed by an external agency
• C. The files are maintained in separate locations
• D. The files are in the prosecutor's office

Answer: (C)

Decentralized filing means records are stored in more than one place rather than all in one central spot. This approach distributes the files across separate locations, which can improve access for different offices and reduce a single point of failure. It requires careful coordination to keep procedures consistent and ensure security across sites. The statement that the files are maintained in separate locations directly captures this idea. In contrast, keeping files in a single central location describes a centralized system, having them managed by an external agency implies outsourcing control rather than distributing storage, and having the files in the prosecutor’s office suggests all records reside in one specific location rather than being spread out.

Decentralized filing means records are stored in more than one place rather than all in one central spot. This approach distributes the files across separate locations, which can improve access for different offices and reduce a single point of failure. It requires careful coordination to keep procedures consistent and ensure security across sites.

The statement that the files are maintained in separate locations directly captures this idea. In contrast, keeping files in a single central location describes a centralized system, having them managed by an external agency implies outsourcing control rather than distributing storage, and having the files in the prosecutor’s office suggests all records reside in one specific location rather than being spread out.