Data Governance Policy Template| Data Governance Framework

by Poorva Dange

Data governance policy template functions as a systematic approach to handle data management tasks together with data integrity protection and monitoring and security functions and data enhancement tasks. As a valuable asset data needs effective governance and classification and protection measures in ways that comply with applied regulatory requirements (federal, state, and EU based regulations when applicable). The governing of data must follow its classification framework while the protection of personal information from customers and employees extends to partners and affiliates/third parties.

Data Governance Policy Template| Data Governance Framework

Purpose of Data Governance Policy Template

This policy exists to properly categorize data so it can receive optimal internal and external security which supports proper reporting functions. The policy focuses on protecting data throughout classification and its six main functions including security and privacy, storage and retrieval and destruction and backup capabilities. This policy executes three fundamental principles to deliver its goals. 

  • Data Confidentiality, Authenticity, Authorization and Accountability through.

  • Authorized access to data is limited only to the specific users and procedures and technological equipment.

  • Preventing unauthorized access to data.

  • Verifying the identity of a user, device, or system.

  • The system maintains records of all network activities performed by users which get logged and tracked for security purposes.

  • Data Integrity Through

Data integrity processes maintain accurate trustworthy consistent data from the beginning to the end of its lifecycle. All types of data modifications by authorized and unauthorized actors remain under prevention control.

  • Availability Through

Data availability must function to give authorized users ready access to their needed information. System failures and cyberattacks cannot affect data access since preventive measures have been established.

Data Governance Framework

Data Security 

The Data Security category seeks to secure all data types from unauthorized penetration and other security threats. The main goal becomes essential because it enables the fulfillment of Confidentiality, Authenticity, Authorization and Accountability and Availability principles which are properly defined in the Purpose section. The organization needs at least these aims to fulfill its principles:

Data processing tasks require role-based access control restrictions to protect data from unauthorized use by personnel who lack permission according to required laws and regulations. Critical data requires that personnel must authenticate their identities using multiple security factors. The collective requirements of data authenticity alongside accountability need to prove user system and device identification while recording their activity inside network systems. 

All critical and sensitive data must use best-practice encryption algorithms for complete security protection during rest and transit activities that happen while processing data or sharing with third parties based on required legal guidelines.

Protection demands the creation of data masking methods which safeguard crucial data in non-production environments. 

Data Governance Policy Template| Data Governance Framework

Data Quality 

The Data Quality category works to maintain data accuracy together with data completeness and reliability. The fulfillment of data Integrity principle depends on the completion of this essential objective. All data quality standards in the organization need to fulfill at least the following essential requirements:

  • The organization maintains completely accurate data alongside reliable and complete information.

  • A system must detect and fix all data errors present in the organization.

  • The system should utilize defined metrics to assess data quality features including accuracy together with completeness and timeliness.

Data Privacy

The Data Privacy category works to maintain compliance with data privacy laws that have been specified in the Introduction section of this policy. Data Privacy within the organization must achieve at minimum the following goals to fulfill the policy purpose:

  • Organizations need established procedures to collect user permission regarding their data handling activities including collection and transfer and processing.

  • The framework needs to have built-in processes that enable users to exercise their rights for data access requests and correction requests as well as deletion requests.

  • Every data processing initiative requires Data Privacy Impact Assessments (DPIAs) for risk assessment and risk mitigation purposes.

Data Lifecycle Management

The Data Lifecycle Management category aims to handle data with maximum effectiveness across its entire existence from start to finish. This necessary objective supports the fulfillment of the Availability principle that appears in the Purpose section of this policy. This policy needs a set of minimum requirements to achieve proper data lifecycle management in the organization:

  • The organization needs to develop methods for data creation together with acquisition processes.

  • The management system requires a data inventory process to record and organize data for analysis purposes and decision-making or other valid business needs.

  • Every data set needs classification followed by the establishment of security measures and privacy regulations according to established categories.

Master Data Management

The Master Data Management category operates to identify master data for systems integration with subsequent maintenance activities. The implementation of this objective meets the requirement of creating dependable data procedures to optimize business performance through workflow coordination. These are the essential objectives which Master Data Management needs for it to achieve its purposes:

  • All master data items including customer name and customer address and employee ID alongside employee title need creation from one unified source.
     
  • Proper master data maintenance includes regular checks for updates which lead to data maintenance activities.

  • Companies need to adopt master data management (MDM) tools which serve for master data management and integration and data analytical tasks.

Roles and Responsibilities

Identifies key roles such as:

Data Owners: Accountable for specific data assets.

Data Stewards: Ensure data quality and adherence to governance policies.

Data Custodians: Manage technical aspects like storage and security.

Data Consumers: Use data responsibly within defined guidelines.

Data Access and Usage Rules

  • Role-based access permissions define access control through an approach which enables staff members to get only required data matching their responsibilities.

  • The usage guidelines establish defined data reuse boundaries which explicitly bar employees from unethical activities that involve unauthorized information sharing and modification.

  • Consequences for Violations: Outlines disciplinary actions for misuse or unauthorized access.

Summary