Modern tools, including AI, machine learning, and real-time monitoring, allow organizations to flag anomalies, adapt as they grow, and enforce policies dynamically.
Doing the right thing and making ethical choices can be tough for employees. Companies often rely on trust, onboarding, and a code of conduct to guide judgment. But according to our 2025 Global Study on E&C Program Maturity, while 76% of organizations run annual ethics or culture assessments, only 31% actually evaluate ethical behavior in performance reviews. For many businesses, “culture plus onboarding” was once enough. Today, it isn’t. Compliance has changed, but the way most organizations approach it hasn’t—leaving a dangerous gap between what happens at the front lines and what’s decided in the boardroom.
Why Once-a-Year Isn’t Enough
Recent changes in FCPA enforcement, trade regulations, and compliance expectations show that annual checkups don’t cut it anymore. Leading companies are moving toward continuous, proactive monitoring. They’re leveraging data, not just to avoid penalties, but to build resilience, competitiveness, and confidence.
When teams see data as a driver of value rather than a box to tick, they can spot patterns, identify risks earlier, and understand the human side of decision-making. But that requires investment—getting to know employees, building tools that help them navigate complexity, and fostering a culture where compliance feels like an enabler, not a burden.
See also: Leveraging Unstructured Metadata to Lower Compliance Risks
The Cost of Weak Foundations
Too many organizations treat compliance like fire insurance: you only worry about it when something goes wrong. That mindset leads to weak foundations. As businesses grow and their operations become more complex, so does the sensitivity of their data. Without strong E&C structures, companies risk not only financial penalties but also reputational damage and lost trust.
Take Citigroup. Since 2013, compliance failures tied to outdated systems and fragmented technology have cost the company more than $1.5 billion in fines. Years of underinvestment created data silos and unchecked risk. Rebuilding trust now costs far more than updating systems would have in the first place.
Regulators are also raising expectations. The DOJ’s 2023 update to its Evaluation of Corporate Compliance Programs (ECCP) makes clear: companies must show that compliance is adequately resourced and proportionate to business size. Compliance can’t be an afterthought—it has to be built in.
From Reactive to Proactive
Compliance used to be reactive, handled by legal or IT after a problem appeared. That’s changing. Forward-looking companies now embed compliance into operations from the start, making it a strategic advantage rather than a drag on resources.
Modern tools, including AI, machine learning, and real-time monitoring, allow organizations to flag anomalies, adapt as they grow, and enforce policies dynamically. Meanwhile, the rise of roles like Chief Data Officer shows that compliance and governance are becoming central to executive strategy, not just back-office functions.
Better Data, Better Decisions
Prioritizing data integrity benefits everyone. Marketing, finance, product, and operations all run more effectively when information is reliable and trustworthy. Ethical data practices also build stronger bonds with customers, especially with younger, values-driven audiences who expect transparency and accountability.
The message is clear: data isn’t just an asset. It’s a source of strategic insight. Companies that get this right can move faster, make bolder decisions, and earn deeper trust. In today’s environment, good governance isn’t just about staying compliant; it’s about staying competitive.
