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Whether in Australia or across Asia-Pacific , SMEs are the engine room of the economy and keeping pace with the digital shift will unravel data as the most important currency available to these organisations .

Unlocking data aims to create a true picture of the business , improving core professional and digital services . Typically , this includes better understanding customers and employees , reducing the risk of operational errors and subsequently applying effective change management strategies . But to execute on these initiatives successfully , businesses can ’ t just rely on said data alone . It must be connected , protected , analysed and put into context and by nature , this means there are stringent guidelines to adhere to .

But ‘ adhering ’ to data protection regulations is only a checkbox activity . The real question is : How do companies take control of their data and keep it protected ?

It ’ s not uncommon for SMEs to be unaware of the data silos hiding in their IT environments . More often than not companies have a Jenga tower of different applications and systems , illogically stacked upon each other to meet the varying needs of the business .

But unfortunately , this haphazard approach generates pockets of siloed information and a subsequent inability to consistently control and access data .

Where there is a desire to unlock data and use it to deliver better business objectives , SMEs must consider the hand in glove nature of data connectedness and protection . Business heads need cohesive operations and that visibility can ’ t be achieved on archaic infrastructure .

Ultimately , the goal is to be equipped with a single lens that manages the movement and modification of all data across the organisation , enabling an audit trail .

But before you can protect your data , you need to understand it – where it resides and what it contains – and its strategic value to the business itself . By doing this alone , SMEs will better comprehend the importance to protect this data , curate it , analyse it and govern it .

Then they must unpack the variables involved – human and digital – and deploy a framework that enables them to overcome these challenges and govern their businesscritical data . For example , with the ability to control permissions and manage requests , a centralised and synchronised digital foundation will ensure the right people have the right access at the right time .

SMEs can ’ t wait for Christmas to tackle this topic ; they need to unravel the movement and storage of data across their business now .

COMPANIES HAVE A JENGA TOWER OF DIFFERENT APPLICATIONS AND SYSTEMS , ILLOGICALLY STACKED UPON EACH OTHER TO MEET THE VARYING NEEDS OF THE BUSINESS .