A data custodian is responsible for organizing and granting access to an organization’s digital data, assessing its accuracy and relevance, and implementing new IT systems. They determine the sensitivity of data and work with executives to implement major changes.
One of the most common tasks of a data custodian is to ensure that all data belonging to an organization is logically defined and organized. Professionals in this field are usually responsible for granting access to sensitive data and authorizing data access requests. In some cases, a data custodian may be responsible for assessing the accuracy and relevance of stored data. When an organization’s executives plan systemic changes, data gatekeepers are often consulted and expected to participate in the implementation of new Information Technology (IT) systems. These professionals may also be responsible for communicating with other members of an organization regarding all data access issues and providing basic troubleshooting tasks.
A data custodian is an IT professional responsible for making decisions about how an organization’s digital data is stored, organized, and accessed. In most cases, this professional is a branch, department, or team leader. Data custodians in larger organizations may require the assistance of the data steward, to whom a data custodian can delegate tasks and grant privileges when he or she cannot perform these tasks alone.
A primary function of a data custodian is to determine the sensitivity of the data. For example, in an academic context, this professional might define all records regarding students’ personal information as extremely sensitive. Persons wishing to access this information may need to contact a custodian to gain access to this information. Data regarding course requirements, on the other hand, can be defined as public, as it is not confidential and can benefit parties who do not have privileged access.
In business contexts, data custodians typically need to understand how data relates to an organization’s operations. Generally, they are expected to develop and review guidelines that determine how data should be acquired and where it should be stored. When professionals have questions about why data is important or relevant or why it is defined in a certain way, a data custodian can be responsible for providing answers.
It is also common for data stakeholders to work closely with executives to implement major operational changes. For example, when an organization is undergoing major changes that are supposed to improve efficiency, a data custodian may be responsible for overseeing the implementation of new IT systems. In many cases, data gatekeepers team up with other IT leaders, such as application gatekeepers, to design a new IT architecture and create training guides for employees.
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