Picking Brains
Jonas Sköld
Data Advisor
What do you do as a Data Advisor?
I help organizations with data management and strategies, focusing on reducing friction in how they use data. I show them where their data is and how they can or can't use it – providing them with a clear picture and confidence to innovate with their data.
What part of the role excites you the most?
When the business side finally sees data for what it is — not just some abstract IT concern — that’s when things start to click. Seeing people’s eyes light up when they realize how valuable their data is, those are the best days.
Any specific technology you’re passionate about?
I'm excited about the development of industry standards in data management and to see Microsoft team up with data-rich organizations to integrate and leverage data governance aligned with CDMC* in solutions like Purview and Fabric.
*Cloud Data Management Capabilities
Why is it crucial to follow CDMC?
Following CDMC makes it easier to adopt data best practices, which helps businesses scale faster, increase data usage, and prepare for AI—all while ensuring compliance with regulations like the EU AI Act.
What’s your take on compliance vs. data collection?
You shouldn’t hoard data aimlessly—it opens you up to compliance risks. It's essential to have a clear purpose for your data. While tools like Purview help streamline compliance, they don’t automatically ensure adherence to laws like GDPR; they simply make it easier to navigate those regulations.
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“It's like managing a library. You need to meticulously sort your data into sets classified by category, ownership, and sensitivity. Once that's done, much of it can be automated.”
Jonas Sköld
Data Advisor, Redeploy
To wrap up, what’s your best data advice for organizations?
Know your data. Understand it, collaborate around it, and make it visible across your organization. Start by identifying key datasets, classifying them by sensitivity, pinpointing personal data, and clarifying ownership.