Data governance involves a holistic approach to managing data throughout its lifecycle, from creation to retirement and it encompasses a set of processes and practices aimed at ensuring the availability, quality, security, and proper management of an organization’s data. . It ensures data accuracy, security, and alignment with business goals.
Key activities involved in data governance are:
1. Data Classification and Contextualization:
- Identify and classify data based on its sensitivity, criticality, and business context.
- Apply metadata tags to data to enhance visibility and understanding.
2. Data Profiling and Data Mapping:
- Profile data to understand its characteristics, patterns, and quality.
- Create data maps to visualize data flows and relationships across systems.
3. Data Lineage:
- Establish data lineage to track data movement from source to destination.
- Understand how data is transformed, aggregated, and used within the organization.
4. Metadata Management:
- Maintain metadata repositories that describe data attributes, definitions, and ownership.
- Ensure consistent metadata across systems.
5. Data Ownership and Stewardship:
- Assign data ownership to specific individuals or teams.
- Define roles and responsibilities for data stewardship.
6. Data Security and Privacy:
- Implement security measures to protect data from unauthorized access.
- Comply with privacy regulations (e.g., GDPR, CCPA) by managing access and consent.
7. Data Quality Control:
- Monitor data quality through data profiling, validation, and cleansing.
- Address data anomalies and inconsistencies.
8. Data Access and Authorization:
- Define access controls based on user roles and permissions.
- Ensure appropriate data access for authorized users.
9. Data Risk Management:
- Assess data risks (e.g., data breaches, data loss) and develop mitigation strategies.
- Monitor and respond to data security incidents.
10. Data Sharing and Dissemination:
- Establish guidelines for sharing data within and outside the organization.
- Facilitate secure data exchange with partners and stakeholders.
11. Compliance Monitoring and Auditing:
- Regularly audit data governance processes and policies.
- Ensure ongoing compliance with data regulations and internal standards.
12. Data Governance Council or Committee:
Form a cross-functional group responsible for setting data governance policies and making strategic decisions.
