What does data governance refer to?

Data governance encompasses the overall management of data availability, usability, integrity, and security within an organization. It is a comprehensive framework that defines how data is managed, ensuring that data is reliable, consistent, and protected throughout its lifecycle. This involves establishing policies, standards, and processes for data management, and ensuring that all stakeholders understand their roles and responsibilities regarding data.

Effective data governance helps organizations to make informed decisions based on accurate data, protects sensitive information from unauthorized access, and ensures compliance with regulations and standards. By maintaining high data quality and security standards, organizations can improve operational efficiency and enhance stakeholder trust in their data practices.

The other choices, while related to aspects of data management, do not capture the holistic nature of data governance. For instance, creating new data models pertains more to specific technical initiatives rather than the broader oversight of data management practices. Similarly, eliminating unnecessary data is an aspect of data hygiene, and regulating database access focuses narrowly on security rather than the comprehensive approach that data governance entails.