--- title: "SEC Recordkeeping Requirements: What You Need to Know" description: "Understand 2025 sec recordkeeping requirements: what to capture, WORM vs audit-trail storage, exam priorities, and steps to stay audit-ready." image: https://blog.votacall.com/hubfs/AdobeStock_705063303.jpeg --- [![votacall-white-logo](https://blog.votacall.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Votacall_Logos/votacall-white-logo.png?width=160&height=60&name=votacall-white-logo.png "votacall-white-logo")](https://www.votacall.com/) [![Get Demo](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/468097/30ece5fb-d161-4a2b-a2fa-e09ea591c83f.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/468097/30ece5fb-d161-4a2b-a2fa-e09ea591c83f) [![Contact Us](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/468097/0de441db-f9fd-4d66-9809-384192c56348.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/468097/0de441db-f9fd-4d66-9809-384192c56348) ** ** ** [![votacall](https://blog.votacall.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Votacall_Logos/votacall-no-tagline-215.png?width=134&height=50&name=votacall-no-tagline-215.png "votacall")](https://www.votacall.com/) [![Get Demo](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/468097/48d526f3-8bfa-4ea3-9e1e-8b8b59046794.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/468097/48d526f3-8bfa-4ea3-9e1e-8b8b59046794) [![Support](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/468097/2fadc0c9-dda6-4a11-be0f-2e56531ee33c.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/468097/2fadc0c9-dda6-4a11-be0f-2e56531ee33c) ** ** ** #### Platform #### Call Center #### Solutions #### By Industry #### Get Started Wanna subscribe to our blog? 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We'll send you updates once a month. **Menu** ** ** [![Get Demo](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/468097/48d526f3-8bfa-4ea3-9e1e-8b8b59046794.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/468097/48d526f3-8bfa-4ea3-9e1e-8b8b59046794) [![Contact Us](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/468097/0de441db-f9fd-4d66-9809-384192c56348.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/468097/0de441db-f9fd-4d66-9809-384192c56348) ![](https://blog.votacall.com/hubfs/AdobeStock_705063303.jpeg) [Business VoIP](https://blog.votacall.com/topic/business-voip) | [Global Relay](https://blog.votacall.com/topic/global-relay) | [Archiving](https://blog.votacall.com/topic/archiving) | 2 min read # SEC Recordkeeping Requirements: What You Need to Know [![Andy DeAngelis](https://blog.votacall.com/hubfs/andy-linkedin-profile.png)](https://blog.votacall.com/author/andy-deangelis) Written by [Andy DeAngelis](https://blog.votacall.com/author/andy-deangelis) September 30, 2025 FAudit outcomes in finance still hinge on the basics: what you captured, how long you kept it, and how fast you can produce it. As SEC recordkeeping requirements evolve in 2025, two things haven’t changed: regulators want a complete communications trail, and they expect it promptly in a usable format. The core rules. For broker-dealers, SEC Rules 17a-3 (what to make) and 17a-4 (how to keep and produce it) set the baseline, while FINRA Rule 4511 aligns retention and establishes a six-year default where no period is specified. In 2025, the SEC’s Division of Examinations also flagged books-and-records readiness, particularly changes tied to T+1 settlement, as an exam focus. Enforcement is still active. On January 13, 2025, the SEC announced that 12 firms would pay more than $63 million combined for electronic communications recordkeeping failures; proof that off-channel messaging remains a high-priority sweep. ## What’s new (and still in force)? Recent amendments modernized Rule 17a-4 in two big ways: 1. WORM or audit-trail: You can satisfy electronic retention using classic WORM or an audit-trail alternative that lets you recreate the original if modified or deleted. 2. “Reasonably usable” production: If the SEC asks, you must furnish records (and the audit trail if applicable)* *in a reasonably usable electronic format. Both changes align better with cloud platforms and modern discovery workflows. The amended rule lets firms keep the traditional third-party undertaking or designate a Designated Executive Officer with authority and access to provide records, supported by a “specialist” if needed. FINRA’s guidance also defines a Designated Third Party and clarifies responsibilities under 17a-4. Choose a path and document it. ## What to capture now. Email alone won’t cut it. If business happens on voice calls/voicemail, SMS, Microsoft Teams/Slack, or approved third-party apps, it belongs in scope. That’s the practical meaning of SEC recordkeeping requirements in 2025, and it’s where many firms have stumbled. ([SEC](https://www.sec.gov/newsroom/press-releases/2025-6?utm_source=chatgpt.com)) Four steps to stay exam-ready this year 1. Inventory channels & tighten policy. Map every communication path (including mobile) to record types under 17a-3/4 and [FINRA 4511](https://www.finra.org/rules-guidance/rulebooks/finra-rules/4511?utm_source=chatgpt.com). 2. Standardize retention & legal holds. Automate periods by role/region; ensure you can suspend deletion instantly. 3. Pick your storage model. Choose WORM or audit-trail and document your Designated Executive Officer or Designated Third Party approach. Test access regularly. 4. Prove “prompt” retrieval. Run quarterly mock requests to produce records and audit trails in a reasonably usable format. Time it. Tune it. ## Where Votacall fits.  Votacall pairs cloud voice with finance-grade archiving, integrating directly with Global Relay so calls, voicemails, and SMS flow into an SEC-ready archive without manual exports. It’s unified capture, policy-driven retention, and quick search, built to help you meet SEC recordkeeping requirements without extra busywork. ### Ready to expect MORE from compliance? Let’s make archiving compliance effortless across voice, chat, and mobile. [Book a free demo](https://www.votacall.com/sec-17a-4-compliance-votacall-global-relay) and see how Votacall and Global Relay turn records into readiness. ** ### Subscribe by Email Previous Story [← Loyalty to landlines: a survival instinct or stubborn streak?](https://blog.votacall.com/why-are-people-loyal-to-their-phone-line-provider-seriously) [** ](https://blog.votacall.com/) Next Story [Transparancy in Action: Reviewing Your First Bill with Votacall →](https://blog.votacall.com/transparancy-in-action-reviewing-your-first-bill-with-votacall) ## You May Also Like These Stories on Business VoIP [![](https://blog.votacall.com/hubfs/HappyCloudVoIP.png) ](https://blog.votacall.com/your-copper-lines-are-on-the-clock-heres-what-to-do-before-its-too-late) [Business VoIP](https://blog.votacall.com/topic/business-voip) ### [Your Copper Lines Are on the Clock-Here's What to Do Before It's Too Late](https://blog.votacall.com/your-copper-lines-are-on-the-clock-heres-what-to-do-before-its-too-late) June 1, 2026 | 1 min read [![](https://blog.votacall.com/hubfs/ai%20receptionist%202.png) ](https://blog.votacall.com/your-ai-assistant-is-answering-these-5-questions-so-your-team-doesnt-have-to) [Customer Experience](https://blog.votacall.com/topic/customer-experience) ### [Your AI Assistant Is Answering These 5 Questions So Your Team Doesn't Have To](https://blog.votacall.com/your-ai-assistant-is-answering-these-5-questions-so-your-team-doesnt-have-to) May 27, 2026 | 4 min read [![](https://blog.votacall.com/hubfs/ai%20receptionist%20featured%20image.png) ](https://blog.votacall.com/is-it-time-to-upgrade-your-auto-attendant-to-an-ai-receptionist) [Business VoIP](https://blog.votacall.com/topic/business-voip) ### [Is It Time To Upgrade Your Auto Attendant To An AI Receptionist?](https://blog.votacall.com/is-it-time-to-upgrade-your-auto-attendant-to-an-ai-receptionist) May 13, 2026 | 3 min read ## No Comments Yet Let us know what you think ### Votacall, Inc ##### **HEADQUARTERS** 550 S ANDREWS AVE SUITE 740 FORT LAUDERDALE, FL 33301   ##### **SERVICE AND SUPPORT CENTER** 1504 PROVIDENCE HIGHWAY SUITE 19 NORWOOD, MA 02062   Call us: 866-303-8600 Email: [corporate@votacall.com](mailto:corporate@votacall.com) [Find Us on Google My Business](https://g.page/r/CVUVqZdO40XjEBM/review) ### Contact Us © 2019-2026 Votacall, Inc. 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