Saudi Arabia’s National Data Governance Policy

The National Data Governance Policy serves as a comprehensive framework designed to manage and utilise data effectively across various sectors within a country. Its primary purpose is to enhance the quality, accessibility, security, and privacy of data, fostering an environment that promotes responsible use for informed decision-making, policy formulation, and innovation.

The policy encompasses all government departments and public institutions, extending to entities handling national data. It emphasises the importance of data quality by ensuring that information is accurate, complete, consistent, and reliable. Accessibility is also a key focus, with provisions that facilitate data access for authorised users while safeguarding sensitive information.

To protect personal data from unauthorised access and breaches, the policy establishes robust privacy and security measures. It delineates the roles and responsibilities of various stakeholders, including government agencies, data custodians, and users, ensuring clear accountability for data governance.

Encouraging collaboration, the policy promotes data sharing among public agencies and with private entities. This collaborative approach is designed to foster innovation while setting guidelines for responsible data sharing, including the necessity for data anonymisation and obtaining consent when required.

Legal compliance is a cornerstone of the policy, ensuring alignment with existing laws and regulations related to data protection and privacy, such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) or local equivalents. It outlines consequences for non-compliance and establishes mechanisms for enforcement, thereby ensuring that all stakeholders adhere to the stipulated guidelines.

The policy emphasises the need for training programs and resources to enhance stakeholders’ data literacy and governance skills.

Monitoring and evaluation mechanisms are also embedded in the policy, providing metrics and indicators to assess the effectiveness of data governance initiatives. Regular reviews and updates ensure that the policy remains relevant in an ever-changing data landscape.

Furthermore, the policy emphasises public engagement and awareness, encouraging campaigns to inform citizens about data governance practices and their rights concerning personal data. By fostering transparency and trust, the policy aims to create a responsible data management environment that values citizen input.