|
| 8 Points: Impact Of Strong Data Culture On Data Governance |
Data forms the core of all the business strategies of modern
enterprises. Most companies hire data management services to establish a
framework for controlling their information assets. This is followed by the
entry of data governance consulting firms who create a monitoring mechanism for
the entire initiative. The central role being played by data has changed the
manner in which corporations conduct their operations. In this article, we are
focusing on how a strong data culture impacts the governance initiative of an
organization. The general perception is treating information as an asset
provides only benefits to corporations. However, there are two sides to every
coin and adopting a data-centric approach poses some interesting questions to
business owners. Let’s take a look at how a strong emphasis on these assets
affects the data governance program at organizations.
Table of Contents
1. Workforce Understands The
Importance Of Data Assets:
The biggest benefit of having an info-centric attitude is
that the entire organization understands the importance of the assets. Whether
it is the junior most employee responsible for managing a small element or the
top executive making key business decisions, the entire workforce knows the
significance of preserving and handling the assets efficiently. This makes the
job of the governance group easier as they do not have to direct many efforts
towards educating the staff about the value of effective management.
that the entire organization understands the importance of the assets. Whether
it is the junior most employee responsible for managing a small element or the
top executive making key business decisions, the entire workforce knows the
significance of preserving and handling the assets efficiently. This makes the
job of the governance group easier as they do not have to direct many efforts
towards educating the staff about the value of effective management.
2. Increased Dangers Of Unauthorized
Access:
The fact that all the information owned by an organization
is valuable to their existence makes it an attractive target for unethical
elements. Gaining access to all kinds of details stored in the digital
ecosystem of an enterprise can give them unimaginable leverage over the
company. There have been numerous cases in which hackers have stolen the
precious resource and caused serious damage to a company. Being data-centric
leads corporations to convert all kinds of statistics and other details into
digital format. Irrespective of the sophisticated security mechanisms, it does
increase the chances of the resource being targeted by unscrupulous elements.
is valuable to their existence makes it an attractive target for unethical
elements. Gaining access to all kinds of details stored in the digital
ecosystem of an enterprise can give them unimaginable leverage over the
company. There have been numerous cases in which hackers have stolen the
precious resource and caused serious damage to a company. Being data-centric
leads corporations to convert all kinds of statistics and other details into
digital format. Irrespective of the sophisticated security mechanisms, it does
increase the chances of the resource being targeted by unscrupulous elements.
3. Better Implementation Of
Specified Policies:
A business with a digitally aware workforce will always be
helpful in the governance initiative. The personnel will know all the policies
and procedures specified for handling the different resources. There will be
fewer errors caused by users not following the designated manner of processing
an element. Monitoring an environment where all the participants are following
the rules most of the time becomes easier. It will also improve the performance
of the entire management program as fewer errors will occur and the information
will remain accurate and consistent.
helpful in the governance initiative. The personnel will know all the policies
and procedures specified for handling the different resources. There will be
fewer errors caused by users not following the designated manner of processing
an element. Monitoring an environment where all the participants are following
the rules most of the time becomes easier. It will also improve the performance
of the entire management program as fewer errors will occur and the information
will remain accurate and consistent.
4. Creation Of Silos:
Most information management initiatives become inefficient
because of the creation of data silos. The resources then become accessible
only to some users and not everyone. This can easily happen at enterprises
which have invested too much in digitizing their environment. Technical or
structural reasons can cause the resources to get stored in locations where
only a specific section can access them. This beats the purpose of all the
items being easily available to all authorized users. The overall productivity
of the entire organization goes down because of silo formation.
because of the creation of data silos. The resources then become accessible
only to some users and not everyone. This can easily happen at enterprises
which have invested too much in digitizing their environment. Technical or
structural reasons can cause the resources to get stored in locations where
only a specific section can access them. This beats the purpose of all the
items being easily available to all authorized users. The overall productivity
of the entire organization goes down because of silo formation.
5. Improved Collaboration Between IT
And Business Sections:
A lack of coordination between the Information Technology
(IT) and the business arms of a company ca derail the entire management program.
The prime reason data governance consulting experts advocate the adoption of an
info-centric approach is that it helps foster confidence between the technical
and the commercial sections of an organization. The business departments will
not feel that the protocols they need to follow while processing digital items
have been thrust upon them by the technical team. They will know that following
the rules will help them improve their own efficiency.
(IT) and the business arms of a company ca derail the entire management program.
The prime reason data governance consulting experts advocate the adoption of an
info-centric approach is that it helps foster confidence between the technical
and the commercial sections of an organization. The business departments will
not feel that the protocols they need to follow while processing digital items
have been thrust upon them by the technical team. They will know that following
the rules will help them improve their own efficiency.
6. Identifying The Best Data Sources
Becomes Difficult:
Companies are accessing information from a variety of
sources nowadays. It is not like earlier when there were only a few points from
where an element can enter a digital storage system. Technology has pervaded
all walks of human life and all kinds of transactions are being conducted
digitally. This had led to the creation of multiple origin points for a single
element. It has become increasingly difficult to identify the best one for a
specific item. Governance teams have to deal with a lot more cases of duplicate
or unfit elements entering the organization’s ecosystem.
sources nowadays. It is not like earlier when there were only a few points from
where an element can enter a digital storage system. Technology has pervaded
all walks of human life and all kinds of transactions are being conducted
digitally. This had led to the creation of multiple origin points for a single
element. It has become increasingly difficult to identify the best one for a
specific item. Governance teams have to deal with a lot more cases of duplicate
or unfit elements entering the organization’s ecosystem.
7. Data Quality Maintenance Becomes
Complicated:
A significant objective of having a supervisory framework to
monitor the management processes is to ensure that the assets remain accurate
and consistent in nature throughout the duration of their lifecycle. However,
an increased number of resources and rising security concerns can cause the
monitoring group to shift its focus towards access rules rather than quality
control. Moreover, a strong data culture can bring distinct challenges like the
one related to dependable sources mentioned in the above point. All these
factors make maintaining standards of information assets a difficult task.
monitor the management processes is to ensure that the assets remain accurate
and consistent in nature throughout the duration of their lifecycle. However,
an increased number of resources and rising security concerns can cause the
monitoring group to shift its focus towards access rules rather than quality
control. Moreover, a strong data culture can bring distinct challenges like the
one related to dependable sources mentioned in the above point. All these
factors make maintaining standards of information assets a difficult task.
8. Greater Legal Implications For
Organizations:
The rising cases of data breaches led to the enactment of
strict privacy laws like the European Union’s General Data Protection
Regulation. These rules make the organization accessing the personal
information of individuals responsible for its preservation. Such laws along
with increased security threats have resulted in greater legal implications for
the corporations acquiring critical individual data. The governance personnel
have to be alert always to prevent the leakage of any sensitive information to
unapproved users.
strict privacy laws like the European Union’s General Data Protection
Regulation. These rules make the organization accessing the personal
information of individuals responsible for its preservation. Such laws along
with increased security threats have resulted in greater legal implications for
the corporations acquiring critical individual data. The governance personnel
have to be alert always to prevent the leakage of any sensitive information to
unapproved users.
Conclusion:
Creating the environment for fostering a strong data culture
can create some unique challenges for the data
governance initiative. In order to enjoy the benefits of an info-centric
approach, organizations have to be prepared to overcome the hurdles.
can create some unique challenges for the data
governance initiative. In order to enjoy the benefits of an info-centric
approach, organizations have to be prepared to overcome the hurdles.
