Organisations today face the challenge of efficiently and securely managing the exponential growth of data collected. This is where Data Governance plays a key role, ensuring that data is not only managed correctly but also used effectively and in compliance with regulations. In this context, Amazon Web Services (AWS) has positioned itself as a leading platform that not only facilitates the storage and processing of large volumes of data but also offers a robust set of tools for implementing strong and scalable data governance.
At Daus Data, with our expertise in AWS technology, we contribute to this process by implementing solutions that allow organisations to manage their data securely and efficiently, adapting to the specific needs of each environment.
What is Data Governance?
Data governance is the set of policies, processes, roles, and technologies that enable an organisation to manage, protect, and maximise the value of its data. This involves defining who has access to the data, how it can be used, how it is protected, and what measures are in place to ensure its integrity and regulatory compliance. Effective governance helps organisations mitigate risks, prevent data misuse, and ensure the quality of the information that drives strategic decisions.
Data Governance in the context of AWS
AWS not only provides scalable and secure cloud infrastructure but also offers a comprehensive ecosystem of services that enable the implementation of an integrated data governance strategy. AWS can be the perfect ally for organisations seeking to improve their governance approach, and at Daus Data, we’ll tell you why:
Granular access control and identity management
One of the pillars of effective governance is ensuring that only authorised individuals have access to the correct data. AWS facilitates this through AWS Lake Formation, a service designed to simplify data management and security in data lakes. AWS Lake Formation allows you to establish detailed data access policies, controlling who can access data lakes, databases, and data warehouses, and under what conditions. This service provides granular control over permissions, facilitating the efficient protection and management of large data volumes.
Continuous monitoring and auditing with AWS CloudTrail
Another key aspect of data governance is the ability to monitor and audit data usage. AWS CloudTrail allows you to track activities related to data and resources within the AWS environment. This includes who accessed the data, when they did so, and what actions they took. This level of visibility is crucial not only for security, but also for regulatory compliance with laws like the GDPR, HIPAA, and other data privacy regulations.
Additionally, AWS CloudWatch complements CloudTrail by providing real-time monitoring and alerts on the status and performance of workflows and applications. AWS CloudWatch allows users to set metrics, create dashboards, and configure alarms that help identify issues or anomalies in the use of data and resources, enabling a quick response to potential incidents.
Encryption and data protection at rest and in transit
Secure data handling is essential to any governance strategy. AWS offers native encryption for both data in transit and data at rest through services like AWS Key Management Service (KMS). This allows organisations to protect the confidentiality and integrity of their data, reducing the risk of unauthorised access.
Additionally, tools such as Amazon S3 offer advanced access control and encryption options, ensuring that stored data is always protected. By integrating data lifecycle policies, organisations can manage its retention and deletion in accordance with applicable regulations.
Data cataloguing and classification with AWS Glue and Amazon Macie
Part of data governance is understanding what data an organisation holds and how it is classified. AWS Glue is a data cataloguing service that simplifies the creation of a centralised inventory of the data available in an organisation, allowing it to be easily discovered and utilised.
On the other hand, Amazon Macie uses Artificial Intelligence to identify and classify sensitive data, such as personally identifiable information (PII), providing reports and alerts that help prevent potential security breaches.
Automation and regulatory compliance
AWS also allows for the automation of many aspects of data governance, ensuring that security and compliance policies are applied consistently across the organisation. Tools like AWS Config monitor resources and validate compliance with defined policies, helping companies detect deviations and correct them before they become an issue.
Furthermore, AWS Artifact provides access to documentation and certificates that validate AWS’s compliance with international regulations, helping organisations meet specific regulatory requirements for their sector without having to reinvent compliance processes from scratch.
Data discovery with AWS
Recently, AWS introduced DataZone, a service that is still in preview but promises to revolutionise how organisations manage and govern their data. AWS DataZone is designed to eliminate data silos, providing a unified and centralised view of an organisation’s data environment. One of its standout features is data lineage, which allows businesses to track data throughout its lifecycle, from its origin to its use in different processes. Currently in preview and not available to all users, there are high expectations, but we will have to wait for a more complete review.
With DataZone, organisations can identify who owns the data at each stage, what transformations it has undergone, and where it has travelled, enabling more precise control and better information management.
Benefits of using Daus and AWS in Data Governance
Combining AWS and a solid data governance strategy offers significant advantages such as:
- Scalability: Allows managing from small amounts of data to petabytes of information without losing control over your data.
- Security: With native tools for encryption, access control, and monitoring, AWS enables organisations to proactively protect their data.
- Regulatory compliance: AWS facilitates compliance with international and local regulations, providing tools to audit and automate processes related to privacy and security.
- Agility: The automation capabilities and managed services of AWS allow organisations to implement governance policies without dedicating large internal resources, freeing up time to focus on innovation.
- Traceability:AWS provides a high level of traceability, meaning organisations can track data from its origin to its destination, including all intermediate transformations and movements. The ability to trace data provenance, ownership, and flow in real-time helps maintain data integrity, facilitates auditing, and improves transparency in data management.
Data Governance is essential for any organisation to maximise its information without compromising security or compliance. AWS offers a comprehensive set of tools to help you implement a solid, scalable, and adaptable data governance strategy that meets the changing needs of your business. By using these solutions, you can ensure that your data is protected, well-managed, and ready to drive informed and strategic decisions.
To get the most out of these tools and ensure a successful implementation, it’s essential to have AWS experts on hand. At Daus Data, we combine our specialised knowledge and hands-on experience to help you configure and optimise cloud solutions, ensuring that you not only establish effective data governance practices but also quickly adapt to new challenges and opportunities.
We work with you to ensure that your data governance strategy is aligned with your business objectives and remains up-to-date with the latest technological best practices, guaranteeing efficient and secure management in an ever-evolving environment.