In this lesson, we are going to learn about the principles and practices of proper data management, including how to handle, protect, and preserve information responsibly throughout its lifecycle.
Data management involves collecting, using, maintaining, and securing data in ways that reduce risk and ensure compliance with legal and organisational guidelines. It starts with understanding what data is being gathered, why it’s needed, and how it should be processed while considering privacy and reliability. Proper data acquisition, thoughtful utilisation, and organised maintenance help prevent issues like identity theft, data loss, or reputational harm.
We will also explore key concepts of data protection, including confidentiality, integrity, and safe disposal. Protecting data means ensuring that only authorised individuals can access or modify it, securely storing and destroying data when no longer needed, and minimising exposure to unnecessary risk. Integrity ensures the data is accurate and trustworthy, while confidentiality prevents sensitive details—like identity numbers or passwords—from being misused.
Finally, this lesson will cover practical data handling strategies such as encryption, logging, access control, and regular backups. Following these best practices helps organisations keep their data secure and usable, while also respecting the responsibilities tied to sensitive information. Everyone in an organisation, regardless of role, plays a part in managing data effectively and ethically.