Data governance, a crucial component in managing the lifecycle of data, aims to ensure data security, quality, and compliance, which are vital for organizations to navigate the challenges of self-service analytics and decentralized data environments. Execution, rather than awareness, is where many teams struggle, and effective governance involves balancing self-service capabilities with robust security measures to prevent unauthorized access. Best practices such as establishing cross-functional committees, classifying data by sensitivity, enforcing data quality dimensions, and adopting a security-by-design approach are essential for effective governance. Additionally, methodologies like centralizing metadata management, automating governance processes, and conducting regular impact assessments help maintain consistency and visibility across data systems. Data literacy programs and adaptive retention policies further support the responsible use and management of data. Effective crisis management protocols are necessary to respond to unexpected threats, while tools like Hex, which offer built-in governance features, facilitate secure collaboration and data insights. These strategies are essential for organizations to extract maximum value from their data while ensuring compliance with regulations like GDPR and HIPAA.