Databasregisters

Databasregisters, or database registers, are inventories that document the databases an organization operates, including metadata about their contents, governance, and use. They may be created as internal management tools or as part of public sector transparency initiatives.

The primary purpose is to support data governance, privacy, and risk management. A databasregister helps data stewards, IT teams, and compliance officers discover what data exist, understand how it flows, and assess potential impacts of changes or incidents.

Typical entries cover database name, owner or custodian, department, purpose, data categories (such as personal data or sensitive data), data subjects, legal basis, retention periods, data flows and integrations, access controls, storage location, platform, and related security measures.

In practice, databasregisters are used to document responsibilities, support records of processing activities, and enable audits and data sharing decisions. In many jurisdictions, authorities require or encourage organizations to maintain such registers as part of data protection and information management regimes.

Challenges include keeping the register up-to-date, linking it with data catalogs and lineage tools, and standardizing metadata. Beneficial standards and practices include data catalog concepts, DCAT, and privacy-oriented frameworks such as ISO 27701 and ISO 27001.