In an increasingly digitalized business world, data has become an essential strategic resource, and all types of large corporations or small and medium-sized enterprises handle data daily: from customers, suppliers, internal data, financial data, or even production-related data. Managing this data well is not only a technical issue, but also a strategic one. This is where data governance comes into play.
What is data governance?
It consists of the set of policies, procedures, standards, and responsibilities that a company defines to ensure that data is handled correctly, securely, consistently, and legally. In other words, establishing who does what with the data, how it is stored, who can access it, and how its quality and protection are guaranteed.
Data governance is not just about technology, but about how the company organizes the use of data within its structure and business culture.
Why is it relevant for Galician SMEs?
SMEs, especially those that are in the process of digitalization or beginning to use tools such as artificial intelligence, should see data governance as an opportunity and not as a burden.
Here are some reasons why it is key:
- Avoids legal and reputational risks: complying with regulations such as GDPR is mandatory. An error in data processing can bring sanctions and loss of trust.
- Improves operational efficiency: having organized, accessible, and reliable data avoids duplications, errors, and downtime.
- Facilitates analysis and decision-making: quality data allows identifying trends, foreseeing problems, and making informed decisions.
- Prepares the company to innovate: many AI tools depend on the quality of the data they receive. Without proper governance, these technologies lose their usefulness.
Let’s imagine a small travel agency in Lugo that decides to integrate a tool like ChatGPT on its website to answer frequent customer questions. The intention is good: to improve service and save time. But without a clear governance policy, it may make mistakes such as:
- Introducing sensitive customer data without adequate protection.
- Using outdated information in responses.
- Not reviewing content generated by AI, which can lead to offering incorrect information.
In contrast, with good data governance, this same company could:
- Establish what type of data can be provided to the AI and what cannot.
- Designate a person responsible for reviewing and validating the information.
- Create procedures to periodically update the data used.
In this way, AI works in service of the company without putting it at risk.
What steps can Galician SMEs take to implement data governance?
- Make a data inventory: what information do we handle? Where is it stored? Who uses it?
- Define roles and responsibilities: it is essential to know who is in charge of each part of data management.
- Establish clear internal rules on how data is collected, stored, accessed, and shared.
- Train staff in data protection, proper use of information, and digital tools.
- Rely on specialized advice to adapt governance policies to the company’s reality.
- Periodically review processes to ensure they adapt to legislative and technological changes.
Data governance and competitive advantage
Data governance is not only a requirement to comply with the law. It is also a tool to gain competitive advantage, as SMEs that master their data have more capacity to innovate, adapt to market changes, and offer better products and services.
In addition, having clear and secure processes generates trust among customers, suppliers, and partners, something fundamental for growth in an increasingly interconnected market.
It is time to take the step and turn data into a well-managed strategic resource. The Economic Office of Galicia encourages SMEs to commit to a governance culture that places the quality, ethics, and security of data at the center of their business activity.
