Defining Data Governance and Why it Matters in a Successful Data Strategy from Justin Larson's blog

Data has emerged into the business world as one of the most valuable assets for businesses, regardless of industry. However, as the volume and complexity of data continue to grow, managing data effectively is vital. Data governance, especially now, plays a critical role in data strategy amd data management. Discover data governance, and why it is essential for a successful data strategy.

Data governance     is defined as being the rules and processes that a business must follow to ethically and safely manage critical and sensitive data. It is focused on quality, security, and accessibility,  and concepts like data integrity and standardization. The ultimate goal of data governance is to maintain correct and high-quality data that is accessible  to those that need it for data analysis and data-driven problem-solving. It can help your business protect and manage sensitive data, keeping your reputation in task.

There are several key components of data governance. Data stewardship and data security go hand in hand, both in place to ensure that the right analysts and management staff have access to personal and sensitive data for the business and customers. There are laws and regulations in place, policies and protocol, to protect this data from breaches, unauthorized access, and even legal issues. Such rules and regulations include HIPAA, which protects your medical history and information, and GDPR. If you choose to bypass the security aspects of data governance, you are in for more than loss to trust in customers, but also legal issues.

It is easy to see why data governance matters      to a successful  data strategy. Data governance leads to better quality data, effective data-driven decision-making, regulatory compliance, and even better operation efficiency. When you can clear understand your data, keep it secure, and ensure only the right people - following a need-to-know basis is a good rule of thumb - you are practicing proper data governance. A strong alignment between data governance and business objectives fosters a data-driven culture, something crucial to an effective data strategy.

Data governance is a critical element of any successful data strategy. By defining roles for data management, establishing standards, and ensuring compliance, your business will effectively manage data assets, leading to improved quality, security, and operational efficiency. As you continue to navigate the complexities of the digital world of business, prioritizing data governance is crucial for leveraging data as a strategic asset and achieving long-term success.