6 Must-haves in data governance

Data governance is a top priority for organizations this year, according to Immuta's latest State of Data Security Report. It is based on responses from seven hundred data platforms and security professionals from international enterprises. These specialists emphasize the importance of data governance in the rapid evolution of AI, describing it more or less as a foundational requirement.

Also interesting is an analysis by Gartner on this topic. The research and advisory firm predicted that 6 out of 10 organizations will experience disappointing AI performance in 2027 due to inadequate data governance.

The importance of data governance is evident, and with the rapid rise of AI, perhaps greater than ever before. What are the must-haves and do's for organizations?

1. A data governance framework 
Data governance benefits from a framework, a set of agreements, rules, processes, and responsibilities designed to ensure the security and privacy of data. It provides the framework for the data strategy and compliance. Improved security and reduced risk of data breaches are most commonly cited as benefits of a data governance framework in Gartner research, followed by facilitating technical complexity (such as generative AI applications). Furthermore, such a framework, tailored to the organization in question, can prevent data sprawl and help ensure integrity.

2. Insight into business value 
Aligning IT professionals and 'the business' is often a challenge in companies' governance journey. Most decision-makers also struggle to express data use cases in tangible business value, research shows. By contextualizing data challenges within broader goals and outcomes, organizations can determine, share, and optimize the relevance of data in daily business operations.

3. Cultural change 
Data governance involves not only technical and procedural aspects but also cultural ones. Organizations benefit from fostering a data-driven mindset at all levels, where individual employees understand the importance of responsible data use, as well as their own roles and responsibilities in this regard. Experts cite this organizational cultural component as crucial for the successful implementation and long-term maintenance of a data governance framework.

4. Tools 
Data governance relies on tools that help organizations efficiently manage, trace, and leverage their data. This includes data catalogs, which provide an organized and searchable inventory of all data assets within an organization, and data lineage tools, which trace the origin, movement, and transformations of data across different systems. Metadata management systems and Master Data Management (MDM) tools also provide specific value. Additionally, integrated data governance platforms on the market support policy management, workflow automation, and compliance monitoring, among other functionalities.

5. Training 
Continuous training of employees is also crucial for effective data governance. It contributes to the data-driven culture of organizations (see must-have 4) and maintains staff engagement with the data strategy. Moreover, training sessions and workshops enhance employees' data maturity and literacy, ultimately improving the quality and effectiveness of the data governance framework.

6. Continuous monitoring 
Monitoring helps organizations identify issues in data governance, provide targeted support, and ensure compliance with agreements. It also validates the effectiveness of strategies and shares successes. Monitoring based on carefully chosen and strategy-driven KPIs (key performance indicators) enhances employee engagement, reduces frustration, and increases the likelihood of successfully implementing changes.

_____
Data Expo 
At the upcoming Data Expo, there will be a strong focus on data governance and AI. At the Jaarbeurs on Wednesday, September 11, and Thursday, September 12, you can gain essential knowledge, explore technological possibilities, and make valuable contacts to take new steps forward. Visiting Data Expo will help you find answers to all your data-related questions. Visitor registration is free and can be done here.