In the era of digital transformation, data has become the lifeblood of organizations. However, managing this data, especially in compliance with various regulations, can be a daunting task. A recent discussion highlights how automation is playing a pivotal role in enhancing data governance, a critical aspect of modern business operations.
The Rising Tide of Data and the Need for Automation
According to IBM, every day people create an estimated 2.5 quintillion bytes of new data. More than 60% of corporate data is unstructured, and a significant amount of this unstructured data is in the form of non-traditional “records,” like text and social media messages, audio files, video, and images. This data often goes unused and leaves heavily regulated enterprises vulnerable to regulatory infractions, fines, and even criminal penalties.
With the introduction of notable data privacy and human rights acts, like GDPR in 2016 and the CCPA in 2018, privacy regulations worldwide have continued to develop aggressively. Businesses must ensure their data’s safety, security, and legitimacy when it is used, stored, or destroyed. The answer for many businesses has been automation, with countless large and highly regulated organizations turning to automation software to even the content management and compliance playing field.
Identifying Areas for Automation
For some companies, the thought of AI and Robotic Process Automation (RPA) can seem futuristic and intimidating. However, these innovative tools have been around for decades and are highly applicable and available. Organizations must take a full and honest inventory of their current processes before investing in these tools. This will help decision-makers better understand current operations and more accurately identify which areas of operation are good candidates for automation.
Filling the Gaps with Automation
One of the overarching goals when integrating automation into operations is to do away with as many manual processes as possible so workers can stop working on mundane tasks and focus on value-added activities. While many organizations adopt process automation to support specific workflows or departmental duties, replicating automation software from one area to other applications to perform manual processes will reduce employee workloads and take operational efficiency to the next level.
Continuous Auditing and Analytics
Data must be monitored and governed throughout its entire lifecycle. By implementing continuous auditing and analytics, businesses can ensure that no data slips through the cracks and goes unmonitored. Constantly flagging and eliminating obsolete, redundant, unused, and ungoverned data reduces compliance risk, enhances efficiencies, and lowers storage costs.
Automation swiftly empowers organizations to respond to the growing needs for data security and compliance. As businesses navigate the challenges of adopting automation, the benefits of this technology in data governance are set to become increasingly apparent, paving the way for a new era of innovation and efficiency in data management.
