Implementing Data Governance in a Hybrid Cloud Environment

Introduction

A majority of the organizations across the globe use the cloud platforms for various purposes. A large portion of cloud adoption has been arising various data governance challenges. Moreover, companies have struggled to maintain a visible stand over the sprawling cloud data bases. Varonis, a data security service provider released a report revealing organizations across the globe which find it difficult to govern such large amounts of data and shadow privileges which go unsupervised across the fragmented SaaS and IaaS environments.

It found that a concerning 43% of the cloud identities were abandoned or left unused and have been idle for any such attempts to take over which would reflect the companies that do not hold focus on or are finding it difficult to deactivate any such cloud identities. The report further held that as many as 75% of the cloud identities belonged to various contractors which are active after exiting the organizations in order obtain access to the organizations’ cloud data bases. This leaves the organizations vulnerable to various IP and data bound thefts and breaches.

Even for the accounts which are monitored it is found thar organizations have misconfigured almost 44% of the cloud privileges which enable employees to access sensitive data that is not within their access. Cloud computing has not been a monolithic process but rather a multi-faceted domain with three types: * IaaS (Infrastructure as a Services) * SaaS (Software as a Service) * PaaS (Platform as a Service). Each of these hold a crucial part in the digital environment. A whopping ninety four percent of all the entities leverage cloud services in certain capacities which build a strategy for intricacies of each of the components.

Significance of Cloud Data Governance and the Best Practices

The digital realm which provides with abundant opportunities has its own pitfalls. Cloud services which come along with a myriad of benefits are reeling under constant threats of cyber attacks and breaches which target personal and organizational data. Although, there lies a threat of human errors which require special vigilance and can be avoided with comprehensive training to the personnel.

Firstly, meeting regulatory requirements which concern data privacy and security is critical. With stringent regulations being introduced around data privacy, implementing proper governance strategies ensures continuing compliances. Secondly, mitigation of risks with respect to data breaches, loss of data and unwarranted access is vital in the cloud computing landscapes. Since breaches have disastrous effects on the company reputation. Thirdly, ensuring the accuracy and consistency of data to make an informed decision is pivotal. Any such erroneous or inconsistent information may lead to unfavorable suggestions which would negatively impact on the business. Lastly, collaborations within departments through common data management frameworks would foster alignment. With various departments on similar levels, organizations can drive initiatives seamlessly. As the society navigates through the digital ecosystem, effective cloud data governing practices would emerge as a beacon to guide organizations towards a more efficient security and growth.

Principles of Cloud Data Governance

Certain principles of cloud data governance must be implemented which would create an effective system of governance. The six such principles, first is setting up accountability by assigning responsibility for the management of data which would ensure that the policies are intact. Second is to clearly define and communicate data management policies across the organization which would foster collaborations. Thirdly, creating accessibility by ensuring availability of data while safeguarding sensitive information which would protect business. Fourthly by maintaining data accuracy, reliability and consistency which is paramount. Any such flaw in the data cripples the company. Next would be to set up security by implementing robust measures to protect the information from unauthorized access or any such breaches which is pivotal in the current times. Next is to adhere to regulatory requirements and industrial standards which is not negotiable in the current privacy climate. Lastly, it is important to promote interdepartmental consistency in the management of data maintains the information spread consistent. With such principles acting as guiding policies and processes, organizations would be able to implement cloud data governance which would meet both internal and external compulsion requirements seamlessly.

There are several hurdles to the effective cloud data governance systems:

As and when the volume, velocity and variety of data increases the challenge rises. Harnessing such large heterogenous data sets which is spread across the complex cloud environments has become a task arduous in nature.

With the flow of data within multiple external and internal sources, errors and duplications are bound to creep within which would compromise reliability of data. Rigorous control of quality is essential.

Since the cloud data and environment are sensitive and vulnerable in nature to any such breaches and unauthorized access despite strict measures by the regulators. Addressing such concerns is paramount for companies.

For the cloud storage data which is stored in multi locations, there are various regulations governing across regions. Keeping oneself abreast of such changing compliance requirements in various locations is necessary but yet a challenge.

Data governance includes everything from systematic establishment of accountability to implement the correct solutions. Navigation through such nuances meanwhile driving to adopt the same can be a challenge as well.

Lastly, during collaboration of cloud environments with the flow of data across department, determination of authority, ownership and accountability can be convoluting in nature.

Companies face various issues which range from the increasing scale of cloud data to dealing with compliance related complexities in the cloud storage. By paying heed to such obstacles, companies can craft such targeted strategies to tackle hurdles on the path to maintaining such robust governance systems.

CONCLUSION

Setting up of an effective cloud data governance is vital in the current data driven ecosystem, with the cloud market at a boom. It includes managing, accuracy, functionality, accessibility and data protection. Core principles of transparency, integrity, accessibility, security, compliance, collaboration and accountability are basic to the governance frameworks.

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