What is a Data Custodian?
A Data Custodian is responsible for managing and safeguarding data infrastructure, ensuring that data storage and security are maintained in accordance with regulatory compliance and business requirements. Unlike a Data Owner, who defines data governance policies and access rights, a Data Custodian focuses on the operational aspects of data security, data integrity, and database security to ensure that information is protected and accessible.
Data Custodian Responsibilities
- Data Storage & Security Controls: Ensuring data storage is optimized across database administration platforms, cloud systems, or on-premises servers while implementing security controls for protection. According to Gartner, over 80% of enterprise’s data is unstructured, making data custodianship essential for scalability and compliance.
- Data Integrity & Risk Mitigation: Maintaining data integrity through data audits, monitoring, and data mapping to minimize data liabilities and ensure data preservation. More than half (56%) of respondents believe that poor data quality directly impacts the accuracy of AI model performance—a critical concern given the rapid surge in AI model adoption in recent months.
- Database Security & Access Control: Enforcing authorization protocols, access control, and database security to prevent unauthorized access. In 2024, the global average cost of a data breach soared to a record-high $4.88 million, reflecting a 10% increase from the previous year.
- Compliance & Regulatory Requirements: Aligning data custodian compliance strategies with frameworks such as GDPR, HIPAA, CCPA, and PCI-DSS to ensure regulatory compliance and mitigate risks. Research from IBM states that companies with proactive compliance programs reduce regulatory penalties by up to 50%. ​
- Data Backup & Disaster Recovery: Establishing data backup policies and disaster recovery plans to safeguard against data loss.
- Data Management Strategies: Collaborating with Data Owners, Data Stewards, and Database Administrators to implement effective data management strategies aligned with organizational goals. Data from IDC indicates that by 2025, global data will grow to 175 zettabytes, increasing the demand for structured data governance.
Difference Between Data Owner and Data Custodian
A Data Owner is responsible for defining data governance policies, while a Data Custodian is in charge of implementing these policies through custodian management solutions that enforce security controls and risk mitigation.
Data Custodian and Data Governance
Data Custodians play a crucial role in data governance by ensuring data preservation, security compliance, and storage optimization. Their responsibilities intersect with those of Data Owners and Database Administrators to maintain a secure and compliant data ecosystem.
Custodian Management Solutions & Security Controls
As enterprises scale, custodian management solutions integrate data security, database security, and compliance protocols to provide robust data storage and security frameworks. By leveraging data audits, regulatory compliance measures, and access control mechanisms, organizations can ensure data remains secure while meeting business requirements.
In an era of increasing data liabilities and AI-driven analytics, data custodianship is essential for securing and managing enterprise data. By implementing data custodian compliance strategies and leveraging custodian management solutions, businesses can ensure data governance, security, and preservation, enabling seamless data storage and security operations while reducing risks.
Getting Started with Data Dynamics:
- Learn about Unstructured Data Management
- Schedule a demo with our team
- Read the latest blog: The Chief Information Security Officer’s Playbook for 2025: Trust, Innovation, and Resilience
