EDITOR ’ S QUESTION

Carl D ’ Halluin , CTO , Datadobi

Here are some benefits of compliance :

• Risk Mitigation – helps identify , assess and mitigate risks associated with legal and regulatory obligations ; reduces the likelihood of financial penalties , legal actions and operational disruptions

• Enhanced Reputation – builds trust and credibility with customers , partners , investors , and the public ; enhances a company ’ s reputation and brand value

• Operational Efficiency – improved processes and systems ; reduces waste and / or inefficiencies

• Competitive Advantage – can differentiate from competitors who may have a history of noncompliance ; attracts clients and partners who value ethical and responsible business practices

• Market Access – prerequisite for entering certain markets or industries ; companies that meet regulatory requirements can access new business opportunities and expand their market reach

• Customer Trust and Loyalty – data protection and privacy regulations compliance can increase customer trust and loyalty ; demonstrates a commitment to safeguarding their information

• Employee Engagement – can foster a positive work environment ; leads to higher employee morale , engagement , and retention , as employees feel they are part of an ethical organization

• Avoidance of Disruptions – business operations will not be interrupted by regulatory actions ; allows focus on growth and innovation

• Investor Confidence – can attract investors who are looking for stable and reliable companies ;

increases the likelihood of securing funding and investment

• Long-term Sustainability – environmental , social , and governance ( ESG ) standards compliance ; contribute positively to society and the environment

But , it ain ’ t easy

Every sector has its own labyrinth of regulations to navigate – from HIPAA in healthcare to GDPR in Europe and SEC rules in finance . One customer described it to me as trying to solve a puzzle , where the pieces keep changing shape – paints a picture doesn ’ t it ?

About 80 – 90 % of all data generated today is unstructured , and it ’ s growing at a rate of 55 – 65 % per year . Think emails , documents , images and social media posts . . . this type of data is notoriously difficult to manage , unlike structured data which sits prettily in organized formats – like databases .

Yet , hidden within our exponentially growing stores of unstructured data is oftentimes exactly the information that organizations need in order to comply with regulations .

So , like it or not . . . companies are now finding that the ability to get their arms around their unstructured data walks arm-in-arm with their ability to comply with regulations .

By treating data compliance as a value-add rather than just a cost , companies can turn a regulatory challenge into a business opportunity .

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