The Case of the Data We Didn't Need

GW offices collect and manage large amounts of information to support students, employees, and university operations. But keeping more data than necessary can increase privacy, security, and operational risks.

In this interactive workshop, GW administrative staff will explore how data minimization principles can help reduce risk by collecting only the information needed, limiting unnecessary access, and eliminating data that no longer serves a business purpose. Through practical campus-based scenarios, participants will learn how to evaluate forms, spreadsheets, shared drives, and business processes to identify opportunities to reduce data holdings while supporting operational needs.

Participants will leave with actionable strategies to improve data stewardship, strengthen privacy protections, and reduce institutional risk across their offices and departments.