Data protection in data governance: Why is research needed and what are the challenges?
In the digital age, where data is considered the “raw material” of the future, companies face a key challenge: protecting privacy. While legal frameworks such as the GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) rigorously enforce compliance with data protection standards, companies and data experts around the world are looking for innovative ways to balance data security and usability. The integration of data protection into data governance plays a crucial role in this. This article discusses how this can be successfully implemented in a data mesh architecture.
At meshmakers, we are committed to the topic of data mesh and encounter this exciting challenge every day in our projects. In order to continue offering our customers state-of-the-art solutions in the future, we have launched this project together with our research partner, the Salzburg University of Applied Sciences. In the following, we would like to explain some key terms and the most important research questions in more detail.
Understanding what a data mesh architecture is
Data mesh is an innovative architecture that aims to manage data in companies in a decentralized manner and use it efficiently. Its main goal is to break down traditional centralized data silos and transfer responsibility for data to the individual domains within a company. This architecture is based on four key principles:
- Domain ownership: Each domain has sovereignty over its data.
- Data as a product: Data is not only collected, but also processed and designed in such a way that it can serve as a “product.” This makes it available to other departments within the company or external users in an optimal form.
- Self-service data infrastructure: Teams can independently manage, retrieve, and process data without relying on support from central IT departments.
- Federated governance: Data management and control are based on a common set of standards that apply uniformly to all domains and ensure smooth collaboration.
The growing fragmentation of data sources in modern companies is increasingly posing challenges for centralized governance approaches. A data mesh architecture offers an innovative solution here by moving away from centralized models and instead relying on federated data management. This approach promotes both the autonomy of individual teams and the consistent assumption of responsibility, enabling more efficient and flexible data organization.
The question: How can privacy by design be integrated into a data mesh architecture?
Privacy by Design stands for an approach in which data protection is not an afterthought, but is integrated into the development of technologies and processes from the outset. To ensure successful embedding in a data mesh architecture, a number of key measures are necessary:
- Anonymization and encryption: This ensures that personal data remains protected even when used for analytical purposes.
- Data agreements: These govern the responsible handling of shared data, including clear guidelines on usage and access rights.
- Auditability and traceability: Seamless tracking of data flows ensures that all legal requirements are met at all times.
Algorithms and data integrity in the data mesh architecture
Modern algorithms offer immense performance capabilities, but their application must meet the specific requirements of a data mesh architecture. Homomorphic encryption represents a particularly forward-looking solution. It enables calculations to be performed directly on encrypted data without ever having to decrypt it. In this way, it elegantly combines the highest security standards with practical functionality.
Conclusion: The future of data protection in data governance
Integrating data protection into a data mesh architecture is not only a technical task, but also an opportunity. Companies that adopt this approach early on not only ensure compliance, but also lay the foundation for a trusting, data-driven corporate culture.
Are you ready to take your data strategy to the next level? Learn how you can work with meshmakers to successfully leverage the benefits of data mesh technologies for your business.
