A data custodian is an IT role responsible for the structure of data fields, including database structures and models, and for management of the technical environment of data maintenance and storage.

Common job titles for data custodians are database administrator (DBA), data modeler and ETL developer [2].

People usually get confused between the roles of data stewards and data custodians. The simplest difference between these roles is that a data stewards is responsible for the data content, context, and associated business rules, while a data custodian is responsible for the structure of those data fields including database structures and models [2][4].

The data custodian is seen as an IT role [1][6]. A data custodian manages the technical environment of data maintenance and storage [5]. The custodian is maintaining the data on IT systems in accordance with business requirements [5][7]. A data custodian deals with the movement (ETL), security, and storage of data [8].

A data custodian is responsible for: [2]

• Accessing data is authorized and controlled.
• Identifying Data Stewards for each data set.
• Sustaining data integrity with technical processes.
• Performing processes for data quality issue resolution in partnership with data stewards.
• Protecting data with technical controls.
• Checking if added data to data sets are consistent with the common data model.
• Maintaining versions of master data along with the history of changes.
• Applying change management practices to database maintenance.
• Auditing data content and changes.

[1] DAMA (2017). DAMA-DMBOK. Data Management Body of Knowledge. 2nd Edition. Technics PublicationsLlc. August 2017.

[2] Data custodian. (2010, 1 augustus). Wikipedia. Geraadpleegd op 10 juli 2022, van https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Data_custodian

[3] Data Quality Management: Roles, Processes, Tools. (2019, 17 oktober). Altexsoft. Geraadpleegd op 1 juli 2022, van https://www.altexsoft.com/blog/data-quality-management-and-tools/

[4] Ziad, Z. (2022, 23 februari). Building a Data Quality Team: Roles and Responsibilities to Consider. Data Ladder. Geraadpleegd op 3 juli 2022, van https://dataladder.com/building-a-data-quality-team-roles-and-responsibilities-to-consider/

[5] Zatyko, S. (2015, 17 juni). Building a data quality team. Experian. Geraadpleegd op 3 juli 2022, van https://www.edq.com/blog/building-a-dq-team/

[6] Askham, N. (2021a, mei 28). What is Data Custodianship? Nicola Askham the data governance coach. Geraadpleegd op 1 juli 2022, van https://www.nicolaaskham.com/blog/2021/5/25/what-is-data-custodianship

[7] Askham, N. (2021b, augustus 13). What you need to know about Data Governance roles and responsibilities. LinedIn. Geraadpleegd op 4 juli 2022, van https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/what-you-need-know-data-governance-roles-nicola-askham/?trackingId=Le3x8dXmRxWhs7Ibw1LZig%3D%3D

[8] Data Governance Roles and Responsibilities: The Complete List. (2022, 10 maart). Atlan. Geraadpleegd op 3 juli 2022, van https://atlan.com/data-governance-roles-and-responsibilities/