Data governance: getting a grip on data with Microsoft Purview

What is data governance and why is it crucial?

Data governance is about agreements. About who is responsible for data. About where data can reside. About how long you keep data and who has access to it.

In the Netherlands, data governance is directly linked to legislation such as the AVG. Organizations must be able to demonstrate:

• Where personal data is stored
• Who has access to this data
• Whether data is current and accurate
• Whether data is kept lawfully

Without this basis, risks arise. Think data breaches, fines from the Personal Data Authority or reputational damage.

Data governance, therefore, is not an IT project. It is an organizational issue that touches IT, compliance and business.

 

Why overview is often lacking in organizations

In many organizations, we see the same patterns.

• Data grows faster than policy
• Departments store data in their own way
• Cloud usage accelerates without central direction
• Employees do not know what is and is not allowed
• Policies exist but are not enforced

The result is a fragmented landscape. No one has the overall picture. IT lacks context. The business lacks insight. Compliance is behind the times.

This is not a technical failure. This is a governance problem.

 

Microsoft Purview as a foundation for data vision and control

Microsoft Purview is designed to structurally address this problem.

The platform brings data together across Microsoft 365, Azure and connected data sources. Not by moving everything, but by providing insight.

Key features of Microsoft Purview:

Identification of data
Purview scans and classifies data automatically. You see where sensitive information is and who it belongs to.

Labels and policies
With sensitivity labels and retention policies, you determine what is allowed, what must and what must no longer remain.

Access and Compliance
Purview helps enforce access rules and supports AVG accountability.

Monitoring and auditing
Policy is continuously monitored. Deviations become visible before they become risks.

Employee awareness
Labels and notifications make data governance understandable and visible to users.

 

Data governance is not an IT project

A common mistake is thinking Purview is a technical implementation.

The real challenge is elsewhere.

• Who is data owner?
• What data is critical to the organization?
• Specifically, what does compliance mean for teams?
• How do employees take responsibility?

Without answering these questions, Purview remains an empty shell.

At ALTA-ICT, we see that successful processes always start with organization-wide agreements. IT facilitates. The business determines. Compliance monitors.

 

The role of adoption and culture

Forcing technology doesn’t work. Understanding does.

Employees need to know:

• Why data is labeled
• What are the consequences of misuse
• How they themselves contribute to compliance

Microsoft Purview supports this by making governance visible in everyday tools such as Outlook, Teams and SharePoint.

But adoption requires guidance. Training. Clear communication. And exemplary behavior from management.

Without it, governance remains a paper reality.

 

AVG and Dutch compliance in practice

For Dutch organizations, AVG is not a theory. The obligations are concrete.

You must be able to demonstrate:

• What personal data you process
• Why you process these
• How long you keep these
• How to protect these

Microsoft Purview supports this accountability. Think data discovery, audit logs and reports.

ALTA-ICT always links Purview to a practical AVG approach. No checkmarks, but demonstrable control.

 

The ALTA-ICT approach to Microsoft Purview

At ALTA-ICT, we implement Microsoft Purview according to a set structure tailored to Dutch organizations.

Our approach consists of four steps.

Step 1: Analysis and data vision
We map data, risks and responsibilities. Together with IT, compliance and business.

• Step 2: Design of governance and policies
  We translate legislation and organizational agreements into clear guidelines.
• Step 3: Implementation and setup
  Purview is set up based on the chosen vision. Not the other way around.
• Step 4: Adoption and assurance
  Training, monitoring and continuous improvement according to ISO9001 and ISO27001.

This approach prevents loose solutions and ensures continued grip.

 

What does good data governance deliver?

Organizations that get their data governance right are seeing clear benefits.

• Reduced risk of data breaches
• Faster audits and accountability
• Increased trust with customers and partners
• Better data quality for decision-making
• Fewer discussions about ownership

Governance does not slow down. It accelerates.

 

Conclusion

Data mapping is not a one-time action. It is an ongoing process.

Microsoft Purview provides the technical foundation. Success only occurs when governance, adoption and culture come together.

Want to know where your organization stands on data governance and AVG?

ALTA-ICT helps Dutch organizations with a practical, ISO-certified approach.

Contact us for a data governance scan.