Data Management and Security: Game Changers in the Digital World

We live in a time when data is not just a part of the business — it is the business. Whether by tapping into customer insights, operational efficiencies, or otherwise, data drives almost all the strategic decisions companies make today. However, without good management and protection, this data can become a huge liability.

- Raj Patel

What is data management?

Imagine a midsize healthcare technology company has recently launched a telehealth platform. As each patient registers, schedules virtual appointments and submits their medical history, the company accumulates vast amounts of data that include patient demographics, doctor notes, diagnostic reports, chat records, and billing. At first, the data may flow freely into distinct systems for appointments, prescriptions, billing, and so forth, but within months the organisation may be unable to access reliable data consistently, identify duplicated records or even generate a simple report on platform utilisation.

This is where data management comes into play.

Data management can be defined as the practice of capturing, organising, maintaining, and governing data in a systematic way that allows it to serve as a trustworthy foundation. Without data management processes in place, even the most data-rich organisations will invariably be flying blind.

Effective data management processes guarantee that data isn't just stored, but that it is also consistent, searchable and usable throughout the organisation. In the telehealth example, this organised approach would entail creating one database where patient records are linked across all systems, so that their data is always current, secure and accessible only to those with the right permissions.

Some of the primary functions of data management include:

Implementing centralised storage to avoid duplications and loss.

Implementing data quality enhancements that provide automated notifications about inconsistencies.

Establishing policies to identify who can access or make changes to certain information.

What is data security?