The Future of Data Governance: Addressing Compliance and Regulatory Challenges in Data Management

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Data is one of the most valuable resources any business has at its disposal, especially when it comes to growth. When collected and analyzed, data provides insights into consumer behavior, operational activities, and wider markets, among other elements. Importantly, the rise of the digital landscape has meant that many businesses have greater access to this resource than ever before. Being able to make the most of this vast amount of information requires solid data governance.

Essentially, data governance describes the protocols your business puts in place to manage data throughout its lifecycle. This in itself can be difficult, but there are also increasing challenges as we head into the future of business data interactions. New consumer privacy regulations are emerging, as are new tools that help companies engage with data effectively. By getting a solid grasp of data governance, you’re setting your company up to succeed in a rapidly changing business landscape.

Staying On Top of Regulations

A significant part of the future of data governance within any business is how you navigate regulatory frameworks. There’s increasing focus on consumers’ rights related to their data and also how to minimize both the public and companies’ exposure to data breaches. One of the most effective approaches to ensure compliance with regulations is to appoint a data protection officer (DPO).

 

This is a role that is a mandatory requirement for most businesses in the European Union (EU), where there are stricter data rules, but not yet in the U.S. That said, incorporating this role into your business now can both have practical advantages for your data governance procedures and put you in a good position should the U.S. follow the EU’s example. DPOs are typically members of management or executive-level staff who are charged with ensuring the company adheres to regulations.

Understanding and Assessing Regulations

Few businesses aren’t subject to regulations or aren’t expected to be shortly. Some of these are laws, while others are generally accepted principles, such as the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS). 

The types of regulations will often depend on the industry you’re operating in, such as the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) for medical businesses. Other regulations will be determined by location. Many states are starting to implement data laws, such as the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA). Having a dedicated DPO in place ensures you have someone to do deep dives into identifying what laws are likely to be relevant for your business and assessing the potential scope of impact.

Adapting the Workflow

Alongside knowing relevant regulations, DPOs are involved with adapting the workflow of the organization to meet the laws. They will work with department heads to get a solid view of staff members’ activities and how receiving, using, or sharing data comes into play. This also highlights what is potentially problematic regarding regulations and the internal company data standards. From here, your DPO and departments can design clear and protective protocols that boost compliance.

Ensuring Staff Compliance

It’s important to understand that data compliance isn’t simply the responsibility of the DPO. Everyone touching data has an ethical duty to ensure they’re compliant. As a result, one of the ways DPOs make a difference is by being active in designing and implementing relevant training processes. This is usually based on what each role’s interactions with data are likely to be and their level of security clearance. 

Many businesses create e-learning modules that can be easily updated as regulations change. This can also present opportunities for staff to sign agreements related to their data management responsibilities, which can reinforce how seriously your business takes data management at all levels and improve wider staff buy-in.

Additionally, fostering cross-departmental collaboration during the development and implementation of these modules can further strengthen their impact. Involving multiple teams — such as IT, HR, and compliance — ensures that diverse perspectives are considered, leading to more comprehensive training materials. Collaboration can also help identify department-specific challenges and streamline the communication of data management expectations across the organization. This unified approach not only enhances the effectiveness of the e-learning program but also fosters a culture of shared responsibility for data security.

Leveraging the Power of Real-Time Data

One of the features that has emerged as we head into the future of business is greater access to real-time data in facilities operations. Effectively, this means it is no longer strictly necessary to rely on static information from spreadsheets that can quickly become outdated. 

Many companies use data wrangling to solve problems using a process of gathering, analyzing, and polishing information. Real-time data makes data wrangling more versatile and adaptable.

In addition, with the right application of sensors in the Internet of Things (IoT) and data processing practices, there are opportunities to gain immediate insights into everything from equipment performance to consumer demand. Not only does this allow for more agile decision-making, but leveraging real-time data processes can also support good data governance.

Real-time data solutions provides your business with information on the types and volumes of data the company is handling. Retrospective data reviews mean you run the risk of breaching compliance requirements as unexpected shifts in activity occur. 

For instance, the terms of the Virginia Consumer Data Protection Act (VCDPA) kick in once an organization has collected data on 25,000 consumers. Real-time data analytics software would be able to inform you well in advance of how much data is coming from consumers in the Virginia area. As a result, if you had sudden spikes in consumer activity from that location, you’d be able to put necessary protocols in place to support Virginia-based customers’ data rights before the threshold has been reached.

Perhaps the most important component for utilizing real-time data in this way is a data governance dashboard. This is the interface through which senior members of staff gain immediate visibility of what types of data are being collected and how it is being used. 

Many platforms also enable senior staff to change data access permissions as the situation demands. It’s important for the DPO and the information technology (IT) department to collaborate on identifying and implementing a data governance dashboard that fits the specific needs of the business.

Bolstering Data Tech

Effectively managing data within your business is dependent on the technology you’re using to gather, store, and disseminate it. Therefore, ensuring the long-term quality and integrity of these tools is a key point of governance. Not to mention that maximizing the lifespan of your equipment can support greater productivity and efficiency in your operations. 

 

This begins with preventative maintenance procedures. When your technicians regularly clean and replace components, they can spot issues to address before equipment fails. Additionally, it’s worth remembering that artificial intelligence (AI) is emerging as a vital tool for extending the lifespan of technology.

 

AI analytics software can perform constant real-time monitoring of your systems. It tracks equipment usage across your networks and highlights anomalies that could suggest deterioration. Many AI software platforms also perform predictive analytics. Machine learning algorithms assess how equipment has been used historically, alongside expected operational use. 

 

AI then provides insights into the likely lifespan so you can schedule repairs and upgrades in good time. Effectively, you’re using data to ensure the tools that support good data governance are always in top shape.

Make the Most of Data With Good Governance

Good data governance is effectively a balancing act. You need to adopt tools and processes that boost your operations — like real-time analytics — while also keeping on top of evolving regulatory frameworks. 

 

Remember, though, that good governance isn’t just a strategy to tack onto your existing activities. Wherever possible, it should be at the core of your operations, ensuring all stakeholders understand their role in its implementation so it has a more holistically positive impact on your organization.

 

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Kokou Adzo

Kokou Adzo is a stalwart in the tech journalism community, has been chronicling the ever-evolving world of Apple products and innovations for over a decade. As a Senior Author at Apple Gazette, Kokou combines a deep passion for technology with an innate ability to translate complex tech jargon into relatable insights for everyday users.

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