Data is an asset, and therefore needs an organization dedicated to its management as well as an executive accountable for leveraging its value. Traditionally, IT and the CIO have filled this need. Why change? After all, IT stands for Information Technology, and information is just another word for data.

Enterprise assets must be managed. Why is data any different? Spoiler alert: it’s not.

Data is an asset, not metaphorically, but literally, just as cash, inventory, and plant and equipment. However, the value of data does not come for free. Generating, utilizing, and protecting data takes effort. And the right skills.

In the following series of posts I will explore whether and how data is an asset, and if so, the implications for business. I will attempt to get beyond the cliche to discuss what “data as an asset” means for executives.

PBAC could provide a key element of a common toolset to comply with personal data access requirements across applications and databases.