Data has become an economic resource, an integral component of digital products and services. For instance, automakers unable to produce autonomous cars without accessing sufficient data for running onboard computers are an example. Because data governance practices must align with your company’s goals, having effective practices in place that ensure your data goals meet those objectives has never been more essential.

Hong Kong’s Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data has proposed expanding his powers to investigate and prosecute cases of “doxxing”, or the malicious publication of private information online such as names and addresses without consent, such as through “doxxing”. Industry stakeholders were consulted before proposing that his office also have the ability to search and arrest suspects without warrant should they fail to provide requested details.

Tech Data Distribution (Hong Kong), Ltd (“Tech Data HK”) has signed a strategic distributorship agreement with global IT infrastructure solutions provider Allied Telesis. Through this partnership, Tech Data HK will offer customers an expanded selection of technology solutions while supporting them during their digital transformation journeys.

An effective data governance program requires a team of people. An ideal combination of skills and backgrounds includes business stewards who understand how the data governance framework will impact business activities as well as IT subject matter experts with knowledge in both processes and IT infrastructure. Experienced business analysts with communication bridge capabilities between IT and business processes make ideal business stewards; while senior IT systems analysts make ideal IT stewards.

Your team should include a data governance leader to coordinate tasks among data stewards and communicate decisions made by them. Typically this role falls to an experienced project manager with skills in managing schedules, assigning responsibilities and keeping all stakeholders up-to-date. Finally, there should be at least one data governance escalation point reporting directly to both executive sponsorship and steering committee.

PDPO establishes data subject rights and obligations of data controllers through six data protection principles, while also governing collection, processing, holding and use of personal data. Furthermore, data users must enter into contractual or other arrangements with processors in order to safeguard personal data regardless of where it is processed.