Fall 2020

Data Governance Trends Report

Technology trends, pitfalls, and predictions for the future of digital work.

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Introduction

The inaugural Data Governance Trends Report is based on survey results from 400 CIOs and IT leaders across industries, highlighting challenges associated with the data type most greatly affected by remote working scenarios: unstructured data (Unstructured data includes all the information stored in files like Excel, Word and PowerPoint documents, as well as images, video and more).

Key findings show how the COVID-19 pandemic has forced CIOs to reimagine data governance plans in the context of remote-first (and remote-only) working conditions. It reveals new and emerging security threats associated with the work-from-everywhere paradigm, and digs into the strategies companies have adopted (and plan to adopt) to keep up.

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Content Sprawl

Not only is data growing, it is spreading to more applications, more users, and more devices than ever. As the CIOs in this survey reported, sprawl is creating inefficiencies, driving up costs and contributing to new and greater data security risks.

0%

of C-Suite IT execs are concerned about content sprawl

0%

of C-Suite IT execs expect digital sprawl to continue or get worse in the coming months

0%

of C-Suite IT execs are very concerned about it

0%

of CIOs say this is the main driver of content sprawl

Top Drivers of Content Sprawl

As content growth proliferates out of control, the sensitive data it contains becomes increasingly vulnerable to leaks, breaches and compliance fines. Nearly half of C-suite IT execs (40%) say increased risk of data breaches is their top concern when it comes to content sprawl.

#1

0%
Increase in Remote Work
#2

0%
Needs of Individual Departments
#3

0%
Use of Multiple File-Sharing Applications
#4

0%
Lack of a Central Repository For Files
#5

0%
Lack of Enforcement for Data-Use Policies
#6

0%
Lack of Company-Wide Data-Use Policies

Top Concerns About Content Sprawl

Increased Risks of Data
Breach and Leaks

0%

Managing Permissions
Effectively

0%

Challenges of Maintaining Multiple Systems

0%

Cost of Maintaining
Different Systems

0%

Lack of Company Control and Visibility Over Company Files

0%

More Difficult to Retain,
Delete, or Archive Data

0%

Inhibits File Analytics and Business Intelligence

0%

Version Control
Issues

0%

Remote Risks

As content growth proliferates out of control, the sensitive data it contains becomes increasingly vulnerable to leaks, breaches and compliance fines. Nearly half of C-suite IT execs (40%) say increased risk of data breaches is their top concern when it comes to content sprawl.

0%

The risks of compromised data are not theoretical. On average, 47% of corporate files contain sensitive data such as personal identifying information, credit card numbers and even Social Security numbers.

With employees at home, there’s increasing concern that
their connection could be lacking security.
0%

of employees are using unsecured home networks to access corporate documents

1-in-5

estimates this figures to be more than 50% of employees

0%

of companies do not have specific password security requirements for home WiFi networks—even as they transmit sensitive corporate data

Employee Report Card

Just 29% of C-suite IT executives give their employees an “A” grade for following procedure to keep files and documents secure. That means that 71% think their employees could do better to protect sensitive data.


Next Grade

BYODisaster

As companies adapt to increase remote
work, many still struggle with personal
device management that can introduce risk.

0%

require that personal devices not be left unattended

0%

of employees are accessing company files with personal devices

0%

have password requirements on personal devices

0%

of C-suite IT execs have enacted policies requiring employees keep work data on work computers only.

Top 5 Data Security Concerns

0%

Internal Attacks
Leaks, Fraud, Malfeasance, etc.
0%

Carelessness
Unsecured Networks, Reckless Behavior, etc.
0%

External Attacks
Hacks, Ransomware, Viruses, etc.
0%

Compliance
Meeting Industry Standards, Security Audits, etc.
0%

Loss of Data
Backup Failure, Deleted Files, Loss of Access, etc.

CIO Wish List

In response to increased work from home, 75% of C-suite IT execs have implemented at least three new protocols in hopes of keeping their data safe. More than half (55 percent) have implemented four or more.

Governance Measures CIOs Have Invested In vs. Want to Invest In
Have
Want

AI-Automated File Management
Ransomware Detection
& Protection
Breach Notification
System
Permissions Monitoring
& Managing
Automated Content
Classification
Data Lifecycle
Management
Auto-Expire
Access to Files
Version Control
Issues
Unusual Behavior /
Insider Threat

The AI Future

Artificial intelligence and machine learning are hot topics that could present a host of opportunities for IT departments to improve their operations in the future—and content management is no exception.

Nearly a quarter (23%) of C-suite IT executives see file management and organization as one of the best applications for AI and machine learning.

Even more (24%) believe AI or machine learning would be best applied for identifying and protecting sensitive data in files.