- 09 | 04 | 2025
Most organisations today aren’t struggling with a lack of data – they have too much. Every day, businesses handle increasing volumes of digital files, physical records, emails, contracts, and more. Yet, when you look closely, the way many organisations manage and govern this information hasn’t evolved nearly enough.
The reality is simple: traditional, fragmented ways of managing information are not working anymore. Organisations continue to rely on disconnected processes, separate systems for physical and digital records, and outdated approaches to compliance and risk management. These silos are not just inefficient; they are actively increasing risk and limiting potential.
In the UK alone, recent reports indicate that integrating smarter, digitally-driven information management strategies could save billions annually – up to 7% of total public-sector expenditure. Those savings come directly from existing inefficiencies and the hidden costs of doing nothing. These figures aren’t abstract; they’re an urgent reminder of the value that’s slipping through the cracks every day.
But inefficiency isn’t the only cost. Organisations face very real operational risks due to fragmented governance. Outdated systems leave them vulnerable to data breaches, compliance errors, and reputational damage. In recent years, we’ve seen increasing numbers of high-profile data incidents – most often rooted in legacy systems and siloed management practices.
From my experience, effective digital innovation in information governance boils down to three essential principles:
Effective information governance starts with integrating how you manage digital and physical records, wherever they’re stored. Organisations need one clear view across their entire information landscape. Without this, you cannot see the full picture—and that means you cannot effectively manage risk or unlock meaningful value.
Technology solutions – whether advanced data classification tools, AI-enabled compliance monitoring, or intelligent automation – should simplify, not complicate. The goal isn’t technology for its own sake, but technology that genuinely reduces workloads, frees up valuable resource, and enhances your team’s ability to focus on strategic, value-adding tasks.
New technology or systems alone are not enough. Real, lasting innovation only happens when people genuinely buy into it. That means clear communication, practical training, and a consistent focus on benefits that employees can directly experience. Without internal support and adoption, even the smartest solution falls flat.
This shift is not merely about managing compliance better or avoiding data breaches – it’s about unlocking real business value from the vast amounts of information you already have. Good information governance leads directly to smarter decisions, faster response times, and improved client trust.
At OASIS Group, we see digital innovation in information governance not just as a technological choice, but as a strategic imperative. My role as Chief Digital Officer is precisely to help organisations navigate this path – to bridge gaps between physical and digital, reduce operational risks, and unlock the hidden value in their information assets.
If you’re still treating digital innovation in information governance as something optional, it might be time to reconsider your approach.
