Business data owners were not consulted is the answer that presents the greatest risk, as it implies that the information security function did not consider the needs, expectations, and requirements of the stakeholders who are responsible for the data. Business data owners should be involved in the development and implementation of data retention and backup policies, as they can provide input on the value, sensitivity, and classification of the data, as well as the legal and regulatory obligations for data preservation and protection12.
Without consulting the business data owners, the information security function may create policies that are inconsistent, ineffective, or detrimental to the enterprise's objectives and operations.

The MOST important thing for the IT steering committee to consider before deciding on a policy to anonymize personal data in enterprise systems is the regulatory requirements. Anonymization is the process of protecting private or sensitive information by erasing or encrypting identifiers that connect an individual to stored data1. However, different jurisdictions may have different definitions, standards, and rules for anonymization and data protection2. For example, the EU's General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) outlines a specific set of rules that protect user data and create transparency1. The GDPR permits companies to collect anonymized data without consent, use it for any purpose, and store it for an indefinite time-as long as companies remove all identifiers from the data1. However, if the data is not fully anonymized and can be re-identified by using de-anonymization methods, then the GDPR still applies and requires consent, purpose limitation, and data minimization2. Therefore, the IT steering committee should consider the regulatory requirements of the applicable legislation in both the home and host countries before deciding on a policy to anonymize personal data in enterprise systems. This can help to ensure compliance, avoid fines or penalties, and protect the reputation and trust of the business.