1. A single, well-defined version of all the data entities in an organizational ecosystem. In this context, a golden record is sometimes called the “single version of the truth,” where “truth” is understood to mean the reference to which data users can turn when they want to ensure that they have the correct version of a piece of information. The golden record encompasses all the data in every system of record within a particular organization. A system of record is an information storage and retrieval system that serves as the authoritative source for a particular data element in a system containing multiple sources of the same element. To ensure data integrity, a single system of record must always exist for each and every data element. A well-maintained, current golden record should be a fundamental element of the Master Data Management policy for every enterprise. 2. The word “golden” is sometimes used in information technology to express the importance of some type of source. In the context of virtualization, for example, a golden image is a template for a virtual machine, virtual desktop, servers, or hard disk drive.
