How We Deliver Our Data Governance Solutions

Data governance is the process of managing and protecting the quality, availability, integrity and security of data in an organization. This process helps organizations comply with regulations, prevent data breaches and enable data-driven decision making and innovation. As a leading expert, we use Microsoft Purview to create comprehensive data governance solutions. 

In this article, we share how we approach data governance projects using Purview, and how we demonstrate its value and benefits to our customers.

How We Solve Data Governance Challenges

Data governance is not a simple task. It involves dealing with complex and diverse data sources, platforms and applications, as well as various stakeholders, policies and requirements. Moreover, data governance is not a one-time project, but a continuous and evolving journey that requires constant monitoring, assessment and improvement.

For this journey, we leverage Microsoft Purview, a comprehensive data governance solution that helps us and our customers achieve data governance goals. Purview is a cloud-based service that provides a unified view of the data landscape, as well as tools and capabilities to discover, catalog, classify, map, monitor and protect data across different environments.

Our Crawl-Walk-Run Strategy

One of the challenges of data governance is that it can be overwhelming and intimidating for customers who are new to it or have limited resources and expertise. That is why we use a crawl-walk-run strategy, which means starting with a small and achievable goal, then expanding the scope and complexity of the project gradually.

For example, one of the common goals that customers have is to ensure that their sensitive data is only accessed by authorized users and devices, and that it is not leaked or misused. 

Crawl

To achieve this goal, we first help them with data containerization, which means using Microsoft tools such as Intune and Conditional Access to restrict data access to corporate-owned or managed devices. This is the crawl phase, where we establish the basic level of data security and compliance. 

Walk

Next, we help them with data loss prevention (DLP), by using Microsoft tools such as Information Protection and Compliance to identify, label and protect sensitive data based on predefined or custom policies and rules. This is the walk phase, where we enhance data security and compliance by applying granular and consistent controls to the data.

Run

Finally, we help clients with data lineage. For this data governance solution, we use Purview to track and visualize the data flow and dependencies across different sources and destinations. This is the “run” phase, where we optimize data security and compliance by understanding the data lifecycle and impact.

By using this crawl-walk-run strategy, we can help customers achieve quick wins, build trust and confidence, and create a roadmap for future data governance initiatives.

Our Feature-Based Demonstration

Another challenge of data governance is that it can be abstract and technical for customers who are not familiar with it or have different backgrounds and perspectives. That is why we use a feature-based demonstration, which means showing customers how Purview and its components can address their specific pain points and use cases.

For example, one of the pain points that customers have is dealing with insider risk management, which means detecting and preventing malicious or accidental actions by employees or contractors that can compromise the data or the organization.

To address this challenge, we show how Purview is a great data governance solution for: 

• Data discovery and classification: Scan and catalog data across different platforms and applications, such as Azure, Office 365, Power BI, SQL Server and more. Purview can also automatically or manually assign labels and tags to the data based on its content, sensitivity and business value.
• Data protection and compliance: Integrate with Microsoft tools such as Information Protection and Compliance to enforce policies and rules on the data based on labels and tags. Purview can also generate reports and alerts on data activities and anomalies, such as access, modification, deletion and sharing.
• Data analysis and insight: A graphical interface is used to explore and understand data lineage and impact across different sources and destinations. Purview can also leverage artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the data quality, metadata and semantics.

By using this feature-based demonstration, we can help customers see the value and benefits of Purview and its components, and how it can solve their real-world problems and scenarios.

What Makes Us Stand Out

The final challenge of data governance is that it can be competitive and crowded, as there are many other vendors and solutions in the market that claim to offer similar or better capabilities and outcomes. At SkyTerra, we highlight the unique and superior aspects of Purview and Microsoft as a data governance partner.

For example, our clients benefit from:

• A comprehensive and integrated solution that covers the entire data governance lifecycle, from discovery to protection to analysis. Purview can handle both structured and unstructured data, as well as hybrid and multi-cloud environments.
• A cloud-native and scalable solution that leverages the power and innovation of Azure, Microsoft’s leading cloud platform. Purview can support large and complex data volumes, workloads and scenarios, as well as provide flexibility and agility to adapt to changing needs and demands.
• A Microsoft solution built on the expertise of Microsoft as a global leader in technology and business. Purview can seamlessly integrate with other Microsoft products and services, such as Office 365, Power BI, SQL Server and more, as well as leverage the Microsoft ecosystem and community.

By using this value proposition and differentiation, we can help customers understand why Purview combined with Microsoft is the best choice for their data governance needs and goals.

Microsoft Purview Is Perfect for Data Governance Solutions

Data governance is a vital and strategic process for organizations that want to succeed and thrive in the digital age. However, data governance is also a challenging and complex process that requires the right tools and capabilities, as well as the right approach and partner.

That is why we use Microsoft Purview, a comprehensive data governance solution that helps us and our customers manage and protect their data across different platforms and applications. If you are interested in learning more about Purview and how we can help you with your data governance journey, please contact us today. We would love to hear from you and work with you.