Which of the following describes data stewardship?

Data stewardship primarily focuses on overseeing data usage and maintaining its quality throughout its lifecycle. This role entails ensuring that data is collected, stored, and utilized effectively, in compliance with established data governance policies and standards. Data stewards work to improve data quality by establishing guidelines and metrics, identifying issues, and implementing best practices for data handling. Their responsibilities include monitoring data integrity and accuracy, which is critical in generating reliable insights and driving business decisions.

In contrast, managing the technology infrastructure relates more to the technical setup and maintenance of data systems rather than the stewardship aspect of data management. Regulating data access permissions pertains specifically to maintaining security and confidentiality, which, while important, is not encapsulated within the broader scope of stewardship. Conducting data audits focuses on evaluating current data practices and ensuring compliance with policies, rather than the ongoing oversight and improvement of data quality itself. Thus, the essence of data stewardship is most accurately described by the responsible oversight of data usage and quality.