Strengthening Public Sector Data Governance: Risk Management Strategies for Government Organizations

Abstract

In an era of digital transformation, government organizations handle vast amounts of sensitive data, making robust data governance essential for ensuring security, compliance, and efficiency. Public sector data governance encompasses policies, frameworks, and risk management strategies to safeguard data integrity, privacy, and accessibility while mitigating threats such as cyberattacks, data breaches, and regulatory non-compliance. Effective governance fosters transparency, enhances decision-making, and strengthens public trust in government institutions. This paper explores the key challenges in public sector data governance, including cybersecurity threats, fragmented data systems, legacy infrastructure, and regulatory complexities. It emphasizes the importance of standardized governance frameworks, modern IT infrastructure, and compliance mechanisms in mitigating these risks. The study highlights risk management strategies such as centralized data governance models, robust cybersecurity measures, AI-driven threat detection, interoperability initiatives, and public-private collaborations to enhance data security and resilience. Additionally, fostering data literacy among government personnel and implementing crisis response frameworks are essential for mitigating risks and ensuring data-driven decision-making. By adopting a proactive and integrated approach to data governance, government organizations can improve service delivery, ensure regulatory compliance, and protect sensitive data from emerging threats. The paper concludes that strengthening data governance through risk management strategies will enable government entities to leverage data effectively while maintaining security, accountability, and public confidence. Implementing best practices, including AI-powered analytics, cybersecurity advancements, and cross-agency collaboration, will be crucial in building a resilient and efficient data governance framework for the public sector.