Definition
Data governance is a system of rules, policies, standards, processes, and controls for managing and protecting an organization's data assets. It establishes clear accountability for data quality, security, privacy, and usability throughout its lifecycle. This framework ensures data is accurate, consistent, and accessible for authorized users while adhering to regulatory requirements. For instance, a financial institution might implement data governance to track customer transaction data, ensuring compliance with anti-money laundering regulations. This differs from data management, which focuses on the operational aspects of handling data, whereas governance provides the strategic oversight and decision making. You will encounter data governance concepts on the CISSP, CCSP, and AWS Certified Solutions Architect exams.