Why Data Governance Belongs in the Boardroom: A Snapshot of the ACID Framework

This whitepaer by the AICD offers some great insights into data governance for a boards and executives.

Data is now one of your organisation’s most valuable – and vulnerable – assets. And therefore also one of your liabilities, but may not even be on the balance sheet. And too often, boards and executive teams lack visibility or accountability when it comes to how data is collected, governed, protected, used, stored and disposed of. The ACID Data Governance for Boards whitepaper offers a practical roadmap to help change that.

At its core is the ACID framework:Accountability, Clarity, Integrity, and Data Risk – four principles that shift data governance from a back-office function to a board-level priority.

Key Takeaways for Boards and Senior Leaders:

• Data risk is business risk. Privacy breaches, poor data quality, and unmanaged shadow systems can all lead to regulatory penalties and reputational harm.

• Governance isn't just about compliance – it's about enabling trustworthy data for decision-making, innovation, and customer trust.

• Clarity matters. Executives need a clear view of who owns which data, how it’s used, and where the greatest risks sit.

• Accountability must be formalised. Without clear lines of ownership and performance measures, data governance falters.

Actionable Insights:

• Know what data you hold, particularly sensitive data and personal information

• Build board-level visibility into data governance through regular reporting on data risks, breaches, and remediation efforts.

• Establish a data accountability matrix linking key data domains to executives, not just IT or compliance.

• Align your data strategy with broader organisational goals – from digital transformation to customer experience and ESG reporting.

• Use these principles as a governance lens to review major projects, M&A activity, and third-party risk.

This isn’t about adding more complexity—it’s about embedding data governance into how your organisation leads, grows, and protects its future.