Data governance

What do we mean by data governance? 

Data governance is a framework within which data is controlled in line with legislative and organisational requirements.   

It involves the creation and application of policies, processes, standards, and controls to support data compliance, quality, and security. 

Knowledge 

• How to implement effective data governance. 
• Understanding of relevant legislation and regulatory frameworks for the use of data.
• Understanding of data quality management and governance best practice. 
• Understand data lifecycle management. 
• Understanding of physical and technological security controls. 
• Knowledge of where to access current best practice. 

Skills 

Able to:  

• Think strategically: Ensuring the organisation’s data governance framework is aligned to organisational needs and operates to support the council’s risk appetite.
• Advocate for the criticality of data governance: To ensure data used for transformation and created during it, is trusted and appropriately managed. 
• Develop an effective control framework: Including policies, procedures, processes, standards and change management controls to ensure that data is actively managed and that risks are appropriately control. 
• Implement data quality management: To monitor, assess and improve data quality to ensure accuracy, completeness, and trust. 
• Implement lifecycle management: To ensure that data creation, use, archiving, and deletion is managed in line with defined policies and automated wherever possible.
• Implement data classifications: To enable data to be categorised based on its importance and sensitivity so that appropriate controls can be applied. 
• Define access controls: To ensure data is only accessed by people who need to see it and to protect against unauthorised access or data breaches. 
• Manage change: Impact assess changes and their impact on data and data risk. 
• Train, coach, and support: Data owners and data stewards to understand their roles in managing data effectively.
• Communicate and collaborate effectively: With stakeholders at all levels, including technical and non-technical teams.
• Manage risk: Understand the risks associated with data governance and ensure these are reflected in any project/programme and corporate risk registers appropriately.