Data governance is crucial for business competitiveness globally

Data governance is becoming essential for businesses, shifting from a compliance task to a strategic priority. Companies must integrate governance at all levels to ensure compliance, security, and effective AI use, as regulations tighten globally. Recent developments include India's Digital Personal Data Protection Act, which enforces strict data localization and consent requirements. The European GDPR and new U.S. AI regulations are also prompting businesses to rethink their data management strategies to avoid market access issues. Organizations are now recognizing the importance of governing unstructured data, which makes up over 80% of enterprise data. Companies that prioritize governance can leverage this data as a competitive asset, while those that do not may face regulatory challenges and operational risks.