IT Solution for Analysis and Reporting of IT and Non-IT Data Assets

Background:

SEI faced challenges in managing and reporting on its diverse data assets, which included both IT (e.g., databases, applications) and non-IT (e.g., spreadsheets, documents) sources. With growing regulatory requirements such as the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) and the need for robust data governance, the company needed an integrated solution to unify its data landscape and provide comprehensive analysis and reporting capabilities.

Objective:

The goal was to implement a solution that would consolidate IT and non-IT data assets into a single platform, providing visibility into how these assets are interconnected. This would serve as a foundation for CCPA compliance and broader data governance initiatives, enabling the company to manage data more effectively and ensure regulatory adherence.

Challenges:

1. Data Fragmentation:
   Data was scattered across multiple systems, making it difficult to get a holistic view of how IT and non-IT assets were related.
2. Regulatory Compliance:
   Ensuring that data practices met the stringent requirements of CCPA and other data privacy laws was a growing concern.
3. Data Governance:
   The company lacked a unified approach to data governance, leading to inconsistent data management practices and potential compliance risks.

Solution:

1. Unified Data Platform:
   • Implemented a data platform that integrated both IT and non-IT data assets, providing a centralized repository for all data sources.
   • The platform included tools for data mapping, which visually represented how different data assets were interconnected, enhancing understanding of data flows and dependencies.
2. Advanced Reporting and Analytics:
   • Built-in reporting and analytics tools allowed for the generation of comprehensive reports on data asset interconnections, usage patterns, and compliance status.
   • Custom dashboards were created for different departments to monitor their data assets and track compliance metrics in real-time.
3. Data Governance Framework:
   • Established a data governance framework within the platform, defining roles, responsibilities, and policies for data management.
   • This framework ensured consistent application of data governance practices across the organization, supporting both CCPA compliance and overall data integrity.

Results:

1. Improved Data Visibility:
   • The company gained a clear and comprehensive view of its data assets, understanding how IT and non-IT data were interconnected and used across the organization.
2. Enhanced Compliance:
   • The unified platform and automated classification ensured that the company met CCPA requirements, reducing the risk of non-compliance and potential fines.
3. Streamlined Reporting:
   • Reporting processes were streamlined, allowing for quick and accurate generation of reports needed for compliance audits and internal reviews.
4. Strengthened Data Governance:
   • The implementation of a centralized data governance framework improved data quality and consistency, supporting long-term regulatory compliance and operational efficiency.