Data Governance Policy

Data Governance Policy

Overview & Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to establish how [Company Name] manages the quality, security, availability, and use of data across the organization. Effective data governance ensures that data is accurate, consistent, and used responsibly to support business operations and meet regulatory obligations.

Scope

This policy applies to all employees, contractors, and third parties who create, access, process, store, or transmit data owned or managed by [Company Name], including customer data, internal business data, and system-generated data.

Policy

1. Data Ownership and Stewardship

• Each data set must have a designated Data Owner responsible for its accuracy, classification, and access controls.
• Data Stewards may be assigned to assist in implementing data handling practices and ensuring compliance.

2. Data Classification

• All data must be classified into categories such as Public, Internal, Confidential, or Restricted.
• Data classification informs the level of protection, access control, and handling requirements.

3. Data Quality and Integrity

• Teams must regularly review critical datasets for accuracy, completeness, and consistency.
• Errors or discrepancies should be logged and corrected promptly.

4. Data Access and Use

• Access to data must be granted based on job function and business necessity.
• Data must not be used for purposes outside the scope of original collection without proper authorization.

5. Data Retention and Disposal

• Data must be retained only as long as necessary for business or legal purposes.
• At the end of its lifecycle, data must be securely deleted or archived in accordance with retention schedules.

6. Data Protection and Security

• Sensitive data must be encrypted at rest and in transit where applicable.
• Employees must not store sensitive data on personal devices or share it via unsecured methods.

7. Regulatory and Contractual Compliance

• All data practices must comply with relevant regulations such as GDPR, CCPA, HIPAA (if applicable), and customer contracts.
• Data subject access requests (DSARs) must be fulfilled in a timely and accurate manner.

8. Training and Awareness

• Employees must complete training on data handling practices during onboarding and on a recurring basis.

Compliance

All users are responsible for adhering to this policy. Violations may lead to disciplinary action, including termination. Exceptions must be approved by the Security or Executive team.

Review History