Beyond Metadata — Enrich Your Metadata Management with Deep-Level Data Discovery
Channel: DATAVERSITY
Date: 26/02/2021

Today’s growing complexity to the data ecosystem requires organizations to understand data at the data element level. Challenges in data collection such as open text boxes/free form text fields added to the velocity of incoming data increases risk for organizations. This risk is amplified when those organizations rely exclusively on metadata scanning when it comes to discovering and actioning their data. The need to look deeper than basic metadata becomes even more pronounced when dealing with semi-structured or unstructured data commonly found in file shares and email systems. Maintaining compliance and driving business value often requires scanning actual files, interpreting data, flagging risks, and integrating that risk into a data catalog. Going beyond metadata to the actual data element level ensures that your data catalog is a source of truth, which ultimately allows organizations to create agile Data Governance programs.

We’ll walk you through key considerations for going beyond knowing what metadata you have by:

Underlining the importance of an enhanced, AI-driven data discovery tool to better understand your data and how it is being used
Discussing components of an effective Metadata Management strategy including data inventories, data dictionaries, and usage requests
Highlighting how the OneTrust platform embedded with regulatory intelligence helps you to go beyond metadata and address key use cases around unexpected or at-risk unstructured data