EP 2 — University of Kentucky’s Michael Sheron on Navigating Data Management Challenges at Universities

In this episode of The Future of Data Security podcast, Michael Sheron, Director of Privacy and GRC at the University of Kentucky, shares his journey into data privacy and the challenges faced in managing sensitive information within a large academic institution. 

He emphasizes the importance of establishing solid privacy policies and fostering a culture of cybersecurity awareness among staff. Michael also discusses the unique data management challenges posed by high student turnover and the need for collaboration across departments to ensure effective data stewardship. 

Topics discussed:

• The challenges of managing data due to the influx of over 6,000 new students each year and its implications for data security.
• The process of developing policies and practices to handle sensitive data effectively within a large university setting.
• The importance of working with various university departments to ensure everyone understands their role in data protection.
• The necessity of training staff and students to recognize and respond to potential data security threats.
• The complexities of managing unstructured data and the insider knowledge required to secure it effectively within the university.
• How to measure success in data security and privacy initiatives, including the importance of community engagement and inquiries.
• The need to stay updated on new regulations and laws affecting data privacy and how they impact university operations.
• The importance of ongoing education in the field of data privacy and the value of asking questions.