Data Governance That Drives Business Value

Data Governance That Drives Business Value

EPC Group delivers enterprise data governance consulting for Fortune 500 organizations. We implement Microsoft Purview for data cataloging, data quality management, master data management, and regulatory compliance (HIPAA, SOC 2, GDPR, CCPA). 29 years of enterprise Microsoft experience. 11,000+ engagements completed.

Key facts

• EPC Group implements Microsoft Purview — Microsoft's unified data governance platform — for cataloging, classification, lineage, and policy management.
• Data governance services cover: data cataloging, data quality, master data management, metadata management, data lineage, and data classification.
• Compliance frameworks supported: GDPR, HIPAA, CCPA/CPRA, SOC 2 Type II.
• EPC Group uses a 4-phase governance framework: Assessment and Discovery, Strategy and Roadmap, Foundation Building, Scale and Optimize.
• Data governance engagements range from $50,000 (assessment only) to $500,000+ (full enterprise implementation with ongoing managed services).

Comprehensive Data Governance Solutions

Data Cataloging

• Automated data discovery across on-premises, Azure, and multi-cloud environments
• Business glossary development — standardized definitions for critical business terms
• Data asset inventory — comprehensive map of all enterprise data assets
• Search and discovery portal so business users find trusted data without IT help
• Data ownership assignment — every critical dataset has a named business owner
• Cross-system cataloging connecting data assets across SQL Server, Azure, SharePoint, and third-party systems

Data Quality Management

• Data profiling and quality assessment — completeness, accuracy, consistency, timeliness
• Quality rule definition and automated rule enforcement
• Automated cleansing workflows for common data quality failures
• Quality scorecards published to data owners and executive sponsors
• Data quality alerting when thresholds are breached

Master Data Management

• Golden record creation — single authoritative source for Customer, Product, Supplier, and Employee entities
• Deduplication workflows for matching and merging records across source systems
• MDM hub design on Azure SQL or Azure Data Lake
• Stewardship portal for business users to review and approve master data changes

Metadata Management

• Business metadata capture — descriptions, owners, quality ratings, usage notes
• Technical metadata collection — column names, data types, row counts, refresh times
• Operational metadata — data refresh history, pipeline status, data freshness indicators
• Metadata propagation from source systems to Power BI and downstream reports

Data Lineage

• End-to-end lineage tracking from source system to Power BI report
• Impact analysis — which downstream reports break if an upstream table changes?
• Automated lineage capture via Microsoft Purview scanning and Azure Data Factory connectors
• Lineage documentation for compliance audits (SOX, HIPAA, GDPR)

Data Classification

• Sensitivity classification aligned with Microsoft Purview sensitivity labels (Public, Internal, Confidential, Highly Confidential)
• Automated classification scanning using built-in and custom classifiers
• Classification-driven access control — sensitivity label drives who can see what
• GDPR, HIPAA, and CCPA data subject identification using classification scans

Microsoft Purview Implementation

Microsoft Purview is EPC Group's primary data governance platform. We implement, configure, and operate Purview across six capability areas.

• Unified Data Catalog — Scan and register data assets from Azure, SQL Server, SharePoint, Power BI, and 200+ supported sources.
• Automated Data Lineage — Capture lineage from Azure Data Factory, Azure Synapse, Microsoft Fabric, and Power BI automatically — no manual mapping.
• Sensitive Data Discovery — Built-in classifiers for PHI, PII, financial data, and credentials. Custom classifiers for organization-specific sensitive data types.
• Data Map — Visual map of all data assets, their relationships, and sensitivity classifications across the enterprise.
• Policy Management — Data access policies that enforce who can read, modify, or share specific data assets — enforced at the data layer, not just the application layer.
• Insights and Analytics — Governance dashboards showing label adoption, asset coverage, classification completeness, and steward engagement.

Regulatory Compliance for Data Governance

GDPR

• Data subject request (DSR) workflows — locate, export, or delete personal data on request
• Lawful basis documentation for all personal data processing activities
• 72-hour breach notification process design
• Data Protection Impact Assessment (DPIA) templates for high-risk processing

HIPAA

• PHI data discovery and classification across all M365 and Azure services
• Access controls and audit logging for all PHI access
• Microsoft HIPAA BAA execution support
• HIPAA-aligned data retention and deletion policies

CCPA/CPRA

• California personal information inventory and classification
• Consumer opt-out and deletion request workflow design
• Data sale and sharing documentation for CCPA compliance

SOC 2

• Data governance controls mapped to SOC 2 Trust Service Criteria
• Access provisioning and deprovisioning workflows with audit trail
• Change management documentation for data platform modifications
• SOC 2 evidence package production from Purview audit logs

Proven Data Governance Framework

• Assessment and Discovery — Data inventory, maturity assessment, stakeholder interviews, governance gap analysis.
• Strategy and Roadmap — Governance operating model, platform selection, policy framework, roadmap with 90-day milestones.
• Foundation Building — Purview deployment, initial catalog, stewardship program launch, baseline data quality rules.
• Scale and Optimize — All domains covered, automated quality monitoring, compliance evidence production, CoE self-sustaining.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is enterprise data governance?

Data governance is the set of policies, processes, and technology controls that ensure enterprise data is accurate, accessible, secure, and compliant. It covers data quality, classification, lineage, stewardship, and access control across all data assets in the organization.

Why use Microsoft Purview for data governance?

Microsoft Purview is the native governance platform for organizations running Microsoft 365 and Azure. It scans, classifies, and catalogs data assets automatically. It integrates with Power BI, Azure Data Factory, and Microsoft Fabric for automated lineage. Sensitivity labels enforced in Purview apply across the entire Microsoft 365 ecosystem.

How much does data governance consulting cost?

Assessment-only engagements run $50,000–$75,000. Full enterprise data governance implementations with Purview deployment, stewardship programs, and compliance framework mapping run $150,000–$500,000. Ongoing managed governance services are available by monthly retainer.

How long does a data governance implementation take?

Assessment and strategy phase: 6–8 weeks. Foundation building (Purview deployment, initial catalog, stewardship launch): 12–16 weeks. Full enterprise scale with all domains covered: 6–12 months. Self-sustaining CoE operations develop in year 2.

What is the difference between a data catalog and a data governance platform?

A data catalog is one component of data governance — it is the searchable inventory of data assets with business metadata. A data governance platform (like Microsoft Purview) also includes classification, lineage, policy management, access control, and compliance reporting on top of the catalog.

Ready to Transform Your Data Governance?

EPC Group has delivered enterprise data governance programs for Fortune 500 and regulated-industry clients on Microsoft Purview. Call (888) 381-9725 or request a data governance assessment.