What are the challenges of data discovery?

In today’s rapidly evolving, AI-fuelled world, it’s no secret that data is key to making informed decisions and developing a competitive edge. The surge in data availability has opened up new horizons for many organisations, but any treasure trove of information presents a unique set of challenges.

Data discovery, the meticulous process of scanning and classifying data within systems to create a comprehensive data map, has evolved – from conventional metadata scanning to a sophisticated art powered by AI and machine learning – but what challenges does this present?

In this article, we delve into the evolution of data discovery and how technological advancements have not only reshaped the data privacy landscape but empowered organisations to safeguard personal information, ensuring compliance with stringent privacy regulations.

Data Inconsistencies

Imagine a scenario where critical data elements exist across multiple sources without a definitive, single source of truth. This undoubtedly leads to inconsistencies, creating confusion and hindering effective decision-making. Establishing a trusted source for this data is crucial for ensuring consistency and accuracy whilst you can also find what you’re looking for more efficiently.

Incoherent Data Governance

Any inconsistencies in data governance practices and standards will result in data quality issues, therefore, it’s crucial policies can be monitored and enforced more effectively. It’s like having a library without a catalogue – finding the right information becomes daunting when it should be straightforward and stress-free. A cohesive data governance framework is essential to ensure data reliability.

A Lack of Taxonomy

Without a clear and standardised data taxonomy, you’re inviting issues, such as misinterpretations of data elements. A well-defined taxonomy ensures relevant people are speaking the same data language, minimising errors and misalignment. As an example, if customer data is classified differently across various departments (such as marketing teams having their own categorisations for customer types), it will be challenging to create a unified customer profile which can impact sales strategies and customer relationship management. Put simply, there is no room for ambiguity. 

Unstructured Data

It’s all too easy to generate a vast amount of unstructured data, whether that’s documents, emails, spreadsheets, letters or contracts. The problem is that this data is often created and stored across various systems, applications, shared file stores and databases. This dispersal of data across multiple platforms makes it challenging to maintain data protection and confidentiality consistently. At the same time, employees struggle to locate critical information, leading to delays in decision-making and decreased productivity.

Quality Concerns

Data is only as valuable as its quality. As put by the creator of the World Wide Web, Tim Berners-Lee, “Data is a precious thing and will last longer than the systems themselves.” Poor data quality, including inaccuracies and inconsistencies, can not only mislead decision-makers but result in costly mistakes. Addressing data quality through validation and enrichment processes is fundamental for reliable, actionable insights.

Data Security & Compliance Challenges

Mishandling sensitive data or failing to comply with data privacy regulations can lead to legal and reputational risks. Robust data privacy controls and compliance measures are essential. At the same time, you need to be able to proactively prevent unauthorised access or data breaches. Protecting data during the discovery process is critical. Implementing encryption, access controls, and monitoring mechanisms helps mitigate security risks.

Scalability 

As we’ve touched on, data volumes only grow, and with that, scalability becomes a challenge for many organisations, especially when they don’t have the right set of data discovery tools and processes in place. Implementing scalable data storage and processing solutions will allow your business to keep pace with increasing data sources.

These challenges underscore the importance of a strategic and holistic approach to data management, encompassing governance, quality assurance, security measures and ongoing user training. Addressing these issues is pivotal for organisations aiming to leverage data as a valuable asset for informed decision-making and competitive advantage.

At The Data Privacy Group, we help organisations streamline business access to data, improve data quality and unify their privacy, security and data governance initiatives. When you’re able to work with us via a single platform that reduces the volume of duplicated work across functional groups, you can elevate your data management practices to not only meet but exceed the challenges of the data-driven world, ensuring both compliance and business success.

Contact the author
Peter Borner
Executive Chairman and Chief Trust Officer

As Co-founder, Executive Chairman and Chief Trust Officer of The Data Privacy Group, Peter Borner leverages over 30 years of expertise to drive revenue for organisations by prioritising trust. Peter shapes tailored strategies to help businesses reap the rewards of increased customer loyalty, improved reputation, and, ultimately, higher revenue. His approach provides clients with ongoing peace of mind, solidifying their foundation in the realm of digital trust.

Specialises in: Privacy & Data Governance

Peter Borner
Executive Chairman and Chief Trust Officer

As Co-founder, Executive Chairman and Chief Trust Officer of The Data Privacy Group, Peter Borner leverages over 30 years of expertise to drive revenue for organisations by prioritising trust. Peter shapes tailored strategies to help businesses reap the rewards of increased customer loyalty, improved reputation, and, ultimately, higher revenue. His approach provides clients with ongoing peace of mind, solidifying their foundation in the realm of digital trust.

Specialises in: Privacy & Data Governance

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