About This Data Online Course
Modern defense operations run on data.
From logistics and intelligence to cybersecurity and joint operations, commanders, analysts and other personnel rely on timely, reliable information to guide decisions and maintain operational advantage. Yet, data only deliver value when they are well governed—clearly defined, consistently managed and protected across complex systems and organizations.
Without disciplined governance, data become fragmented, unreliable and difficult to share—limiting their usefulness for planning, analysis and operational execution.
This online course introduces the essential concepts, policies and practices that enable defense organizations to manage data as strategic assets. It explains how governance frameworks translate policy intent into operational discipline—ensuring data remain accurate, secure, discoverable and usable across the defense enterprise and key governance directives that support interoperability, cybersecurity and responsible data stewardship.
You also will examine how governance structures and roles work together to establish accountability, maintain data quality and coordinate data management across complex defense organizations.
You will learn about practical governance best practices, including the use of standardized metadata, lifecycle management policies, cybersecurity frameworks, governance technologies and performance metrics, to enforce compliance and measure program effectiveness.
To illustrate the operational importance of governance, this online training course concludes with a real-world case study from the Russo-Ukraine War demonstrating how inconsistent data definitions across military organizations created confusion, weakened trust in enterprise systems, and complicated operational oversight—highlighting why disciplined governance is essential for mission-critical data.
By the end of the course, you will better understand how strong data governance enables better decision making, strengthens interoperability and helps defense organizations operate effectively in increasingly complex and data-driven environments.
What You Will Learn
- Explain how data governance supports decision advantage, operational readiness and national security
- Identify key defense strategies, directives and Federal mandates that shape data governance practices
- Describe governance structures, councils and roles responsible for managing data across the defense enterprise
- Recognize foundational governance best practices that ensure data quality, interoperability and security
This course is aligned with defense strategies.
Who Should Take This Online Course
This online training course is designed for defense or intelligence professionals working for the Federal government or a government contractor companies interested in learning more about data governance in a defense context.
More seasoned professionals will also benefit from this online training experience to obtain a refresher on the critical subject matter.
Prerequisites
None. However, prior completion of the FedLearn course, Basic Data Management (AIDATA108), is highly recommended.
Course Certificate
To achieve a course certificate of completion, you must score 80 percent or higher on a graded final exam.
Course Format
Self-paced, online training course
Course Pricing
Individual courses are $14.99 (per person).
Seat licenses to access the entire FedLearn AI and data science catalog are also available. Click here to learn more and purchase
If you are interested in learning about special team rates for Federal government and government contractor organizations, email [email protected]
Continuing Education Unit Credits
This course provides 1 CEU.
