Data Governance 5.0: How companies can prepare for the new global regulatory era

We live in an era where information has solidified as a central strategic asset for companies across all sectors. With the acceleration of digital technologies and the expansion of the data economy, a new challenge arises: aligning corporate practices with the demands of an increasingly complex and convergent global regulatory landscape. I observe that preparation for this new phase requires a profound redesign of data governance.

Companies must understand that regulations are no longer local events but part of an interconnected global ecosystem. The European Union's General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) set the tone in 2018, followed by laws such as Brazil's Lei Geral de Proteção de Dados Pessoais (LGPD), the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) in the United States, China's Personal Information Protection Law (PIPL), and more recently advanced discussions on a unified regulation within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and a review of the GDPR by the European Commission. This represents a new generation of rules that not only protect personal data but also impose regulations on artificial intelligence, international data transfers, and cybersecurity.

Forrester, a research and advisory firm, conducted a study showing that 70% of companies plan to expand their data governance to encompass algorithmic accountability and ethics, in addition to privacy, revealing that data governance is moving beyond being merely a compliance function to becoming part of the strategy for digital trust and brand reputation. Meanwhile, a survey by Gartner, a research and advisory firm in IT and business, emphasized that by 2026, over 60% of large organizations will have formal AI governance programs, driven precisely by global regulatory pressure.

In light of this scenario, I see five essential pillars for companies seeking resilient and future-ready data governance:

Global Governance, Local Compliance: Governance needs to be thought of in layers. At the top, a unified global framework that establishes general principles for data protection and ethical use, such as transparency, accountability, and privacy by design. Concurrently, there must be compliance adapted to each jurisdiction. The key lies in accurately mapping where and how data is processed and aligning these operations with local laws, without losing the integrated overview of the whole.

Data Stewardship as a Corporate Culture: It is no longer sufficient to have a Data Protection Officer (DPO) or a privacy committee. Data governance needs to be cross-functional, involving areas such as IT, legal, compliance, human resources, and marketing. The concept of data stewardship, meaning shared responsibility for data quality and security, must be incorporated into the company's culture. This requires continuous training and clear accountability metrics.

Resilient Technical Architecture: From a technological standpoint, organizations need to invest in architectures that support future regulatory requirements, such as data portability. This means systems capable of auditing, maintaining records, and tracking data, in addition to enforcing access and usage policies. The adoption of solutions based on zero trust and advanced encryption will become increasingly mandatory.

Preparation for Audits and Certifications: The new regulations indicate a clear trend: increased rigor in oversight and the growing importance of international certifications, such as ISO 27701 and the NIST Privacy Framework. Companies wishing to operate globally need to structure processes to promptly respond to regulatory audits and obtain certifications that serve as seals of compliance. This preparedness ranges from automated reporting to periodic incident simulations.

Ethics and Social Responsibility of Data: More than just obeying the law, the future of data governance will have to meet societal expectations regarding digital ethics. With the advancement of AI and predictive analytics, debates arise concerning algorithmic discrimination, surveillance, and behavioral manipulation. Companies that position themselves proactively, with data ethics committees, clear policies on AI use, and public commitments to protecting fundamental rights, will gain a competitive and reputational advantage over their competitors.

I understand that regulatory compliance is a starting point, not the final destination. The true transformation lies in viewing data governance as a vector of value and trust. Corporations that understand this today will be prepared to navigate the global digital economy with security and strategic advantage. The future of data governance belongs not to those who resist regulation, but to those who anticipate it and transform it into a competitive differentiator.