A good data governance program isn’t just a tick box on a list of requirements to meet a data privacy standard. It's a living program that needs the right processes and systems in place in order to truly benefit the business. If done right, a good data governance program helps a business excel, be more resilient, and quickly pivot to adapt to extraordinary circumstances.
During a recent webinar, I participated on a panel focused on implementing a strong data privacy strategy to make a business more resilient. While preparing for the panel I considered different ways companies can leverage their privacy and compliance programs to enable business agility and the ability to respond quickly. I realized that good governance around data privacy is inextricably intertwined with the ability of any business to be successful.
What’s Good Data Governance?
Good data governance is not just a tick box to meet the requirements of any given standard or law like HIPAA or GDPR – it’s at the heart of a well-run business that wants to excel at what it does. The right processes and systems must already be in place to meet ever-changing challenges. Today we not only expect but we require our information to be handled in a responsible manner. This can only be achieved by closely managing the sum total of data.
My fellow panelists were experts in providing privacy counsel to companies to help them build sound privacy and security programs. Although managing data privacy can be a challenge, getting past that hurdle reveals the true value of a robust privacy program: its ability to help the business succeed.
Nuance manages data consistently by effectively utilizing responsible and accountable data owners, stewards, and custodians across the data lifecycle. Beyond a good data governance program, our Code of Conduct and Ethics encourages stakeholders to transparently raise questions or concerns so that we can engage in a conversation to benefit and educate us all.
Good Data Governance Helped Us Pivot Fast
An example of how good data governance supported our own business at Nuance became apparent during the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Nuance was able to work with our clients to quickly respond to an extreme change in their business requirements. This involved preparing Kindness Offerings in the form of free licenses and customer support for our Healthcare customers while moving fast to support an entirely remote workforce.
I truly believe this was not only possible because of our extraordinary operational teams, but also because Nuance has invested in the processes and systems to provide good data governance that allowed us to rapidly pivot and expand our services during an unprecedented situation.
I’m proud of the way Nuance invests in good data governance and the security controls behind it to make sure business and personal information is kept protected and private and I know we will continue to do so for ourselves and our stakeholders.
Disclosure: The views and opinions expressed herein are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Nuance Communications, Inc., its affiliates, or its employees.
