Network security provider Symantec [SYMC] on Nov. 6 released a study that shows federal agencies believe that they remain heavily challenged in grappling with data security and data management.
Only 37 percent of those surveyed for the study give their organizations an “A” for data protection and while 74 percent say they have a formal, enterprise-wide information governance strategy, just 22 percent believe it’s very effective and 39 percent rank the strategy a four out of a possible five, according to the study, which was commissioned by Symantec and performed by the market research firm O’Keefe & Company. It also says that 44 percent of respondents say that data security and protection is the largest information governance risk their organizations face if not addressed.
For data discovery and data management, just 28 percent and 26 percent of respondents respectively give their agencies A’s, says the study, Navigating Information Governance: What’s Your Strategy?
“Government agencies continue to see rapid growth in information,” Rob Potter, vice president of Federal Sales at Symantec, said in a statement. “The variety, velocity, and volume of data have resulted in more complexity in governance, along with the need for speed in responding to eDiscovery requirements, FOIA requests and internal investigations.”
Potter also stated that “Providing more meaningful visibility and analysis into information governance and existing data will result in more intelligent use of the data, and insure success in delivering business value.”
The survey also asked potential respondents for their definitions of information governance with the takeaway being there is no agreed to definition.
The study polled businesses and government agencies and found both agree that data security is the most important component to an information governance strategy.
The study surveyed 152 federal government and 153 private sector attorneys, information technology executives, FOIA agents and records managers.