Key findings from survey show how the COVID-19 pandemic has forced CIOs and IT leaders to re-imagine data governance plans in the context of remote working conditions and data security risks.
Data Governance Trends Report
Technology trends, pitfalls, and predictions for the future of digital work.
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.
Skip Ahead
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.
of C-Suite IT execs are concerned about content sprawl
of C-Suite IT execs expect digital sprawl to continue or get worse in the coming months
of C-Suite IT execs are very concerned about it
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.
Top Concerns About Content Sprawl
Increased Risks of Data
Breach and Leaks
Managing Permissions
Effectively
Challenges of Maintaining Multiple Systems
Cost of Maintaining
Different Systems
Lack of Company Control and Visibility Over Company Files
More Difficult to Retain,
Delete, or Archive Data
Inhibits File Analytics and Business Intelligence
Version Control
Issues
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.
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.
their connection could be lacking security.
of employees are using unsecured home networks to access corporate documents
estimates this figures to be more than 50% of employees
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.
require that personal devices not be left unattended
of employees are accessing company files with personal devices
have password requirements on personal devices
of C-suite IT execs have enacted policies requiring employees keep work data on work computers only.
Top 5 Data Security Concerns
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.
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.