A data catalog in MDC3 serves which primary roles?

• A. Archiving Raw Logs
• B. Managing Network Devices
• C. Inventorying Data Assets With Metadata, Ownership, And Quality Info; Supports Discovery, Governance, And Stewardship
• D. Designing Database Schemas

Answer: (C)

A data catalog is a centralized, searchable inventory of data assets that attaches meaningful context to each asset. It captures metadata—like definitions, data types, sources, lineage—and notes who owns or is responsible for the data, plus quality indicators. This combination lets people discover what data exists, understand what it represents, gauge how trustworthy it is, and know who to contact for questions or approval. By tying assets to governance policies and stewardship roles, the catalog supports oversight and responsible use, making it easier to enforce data policies and collaborate across teams.

Other activities you might hear about—archiving raw logs, managing network devices, or designing database schemas—aren’t the catalog’s primary purpose. Archiving focuses on storage and preservation, device management handles IT assets, and schema design is about modeling structure, not cataloging and governance of data assets.