Category: Data Privacy

We live in a world where every click, every transaction, every sensor reading collect and share our information to organization known and unknowns at-least for us. This data is the lifeline for most of the modern businesses which fueling innovation, connecting us with others and driving decisions both at personal and business levels. This collection and consumption of data is greatly an alien phenomenon within the landscape of cybersecurity and privacy. Many organizations focus on firewalls and intrusion detection, but mostly overlook the very crucial thing they’re ultimately trying to protect: the data itself. This series of blog posts aims to highlight this gap and sharing actionable thoughts to securely consume what matters.

Within the realm data governance, new frontiers and perspectives required in practices of people, process, and technology. This blog demystifies data governance and describes how it is significant to every effective security program. We will delve into the often-overlooked connection between data governance, cybersecurity, and privacy, exploring how a robust data strategy forms the foundation of a resilient security posture. Because, you can’t protect what you don’t understand.

Think of it this way: you wouldn’t grant unrestricted access to your company’s bank accounts or sensitive bid information, would you? You would employee strict access controls and monitoring to ensure only authorized personnel can access these items. The same principle applies to organization’s data. Without a clear understanding of what data, you have, where it resides within your IT systems, and its level of sensitivity, organizations are essentially leaving the door wide open for potential breaches and compliance violations.

This series will explore the crucial aspects of building a comprehensive data governance framework for effective data consumption, security and privacy. It will explore the core components, offering practical guidance and actionable insights. Here is a bird-view at what we’ll cover in this series:

• What is Zero Trust Anyway? What is Zero Trust, and how does it relate to data governance? We’ll demystify this buzzword and explore how a Zero Trust approach, centered around data protection and privacy, can significantly enhance security and compliance. We’ll go beyond the hype and provide a clear understanding of how to implement Zero Trust principles in an organization, specifically within the context of data governance, ensuring data is secure and privacy is maintained throughout its lifecycle. (Coming Soon)

• Defining Your Data Governance Mission: Why It Matters: This foundational post articulates the core purpose of your data governance framework, emphasizing how it’s essential for achieving organizational goals while ensuring data privacy and security. We’ll explain the benefits, explore the key elements of establishing program values (processes, tools, and communication strategies), and highlight how privacy and security are integrated into every aspect of the framework from the outset. (Coming Soon) 

• Data Governance, Outputs, Processes, Work Program (What & How): This post delves into the practical aspects of your data governance framework, outlining the tangible outputs (data products, controls, accountabilities, etc.), the processes that drive it, and how work programs are managed. We’ll explore how these components work together to achieve your data governance objectives with a strong focus on built-in privacy and security. We’ll also examine how controls, policies, and procedures are designed to protect data and ensure compliance. (Coming Soon) 

• A Complete Guide to Building and Implementing a Successful Data Classification Program: This post shows you how to build a successful data classification program that protects your valuable information assets and respects individual privacy. We’ll provide a roadmap covering business case development, stakeholder engagement, and overcoming common challenges, with a focus on integrating privacy and security best practices into every stage of the process, from data categorization to secure storage. (Coming Soon) 

• Who Benefits and Who’s Involved: This post explores the human side of data governance, emphasizing how it protects both organizational assets and individual privacy. We’ll identify key beneficiaries and outline the crucial roles and responsibilities within a successful program, with a focus on how each role contributes to data security and privacy. Learn how to engage beneficiaries, build a collaborative team, and empower individuals to contribute to data governance success while upholding the highest standards of data protection and privacy. (Coming Soon)

This series is designed to be a practical guide for Security Leaders, Security Professionals, and anyone responsible for developing and implanting risk-based and compliant data governance program. We’ll move beyond theoretical concepts and provide real-world examples and actionable steps you can take to strengthen your cybersecurity posture by focusing on the often-overlooked element of data.