Data Owner vs. Data Custodian: Understanding the Difference

Data Ownership and Data Custodianship Explained

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Question

Which of the following BEST explains the difference between a data owner and a data custodian?

A.

The data owner is responsible for adhering to the rules for using the data, while the data custodian is responsible for determining the corporate governance regarding the data B.

The data owner is responsible for determining how the data may be used, while the data custodian is responsible for implementing the protection to the data C.

The data owner is responsible for controlling the data, while the data custodian is responsible for maintaining the chain of custody when handling the data D.

The data owner grants the technical permissions for data access, while the data custodian maintains the database access controls to the data.

B.

Explanations

Which of the following BEST explains the difference between a data owner and a data custodian?

A.

The data owner is responsible for adhering to the rules for using the data, while the data custodian is responsible for determining the corporate governance regarding the data

B.

The data owner is responsible for determining how the data may be used, while the data custodian is responsible for implementing the protection to the data

C.

The data owner is responsible for controlling the data, while the data custodian is responsible for maintaining the chain of custody when handling the data

D.

The data owner grants the technical permissions for data access, while the data custodian maintains the database access controls to the data.

B.

The data owner and data custodian are two roles that are commonly found in organizations to manage and protect data. While both roles are important in maintaining the integrity of the data, they have distinct responsibilities.

The data owner is typically a senior executive or business manager who has overall responsibility for the data, including its accuracy, completeness, and appropriate use. The data owner is accountable for determining the appropriate use of the data, establishing policies and procedures for data access, and ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements related to the data.

On the other hand, the data custodian is responsible for implementing and enforcing the policies and procedures established by the data owner. This includes maintaining the security and integrity of the data, implementing appropriate access controls, and monitoring data usage to ensure that it is in compliance with established policies.

In simpler terms, the data owner decides who can access the data and for what purpose, while the data custodian ensures that those decisions are implemented securely and correctly. Therefore, option B is the correct answer: The data owner is responsible for determining how the data may be used, while the data custodian is responsible for implementing the protection to the data.

It is worth noting that in some organizations, the same individual may serve both roles, especially in smaller organizations where data management responsibilities are not as extensive.