Thursday, June 26, 2014

Protect their data? Many companies don't even know where it is

We like to think that companies and other organizations protect the data they have in their systems. Particularly if it is data about us. Instances of hacking and identify theft are rising, so the concern is justified.

But a recent survey of over 1500 companies and IT security specialists conducted by the Ponemon Institute shows that "Only 15 percent of the surveyed organizations knew where all of their most sensitive structured data lived, 24 percent have no idea where any of it is, and only seven percent knew the location of sensitive unstructured data, such as in e-mails and documents."

The difference between structured data and unstructured data is crucial. Structured data tends to live in more secure environments, such as relational database systems, which on their own are not particularly secure but at least tend to have good security management systems that can be implemented. Unstructured data tends to reside in insecure systems, such as email applications. documents can be anywhere. Moreover, unstructured data tends to wander around more often into various devices.

This is one of the problems companies have. The proliferation of mobile devices and their ability to import and hold data means that this is where sensitive data often resides.

The answer is to adopt data centric security. That means building security around the data rather than/in addition to around the applications that exist in a company, which is the traditional approach.

Under a proper data centric security system, the companies would trace their data, encrypt it, ensure that it only goes where it is safe and control access to it all along the way. There are numerous data centric security systems available, but none are a panacea. Finding that data is difficult. But knowing where it might go is critical to good security.

Wednesday, June 25, 2014

Predictive Analytics Gaining in Popularity

Data analysis has definitely become a defining characteristic of the modern era. There are few companies who don't see considerable potential in big data. Indeed, most want to get the best value out of it. Predictive Analytics is focused on the analysis of data directed to predicting future trends or the probabilty of particular events taking place. This is especially important in dealing with risk reduction and analysis.

Predictive analysis has traditionally been the tool of mathematicians and statisticians because it is technically heavy with mathematical techniques. However, technology helps with that and recent research shows that predictive analytics is moving into the mainstream of analysis carried out by business, often by those without intensive mathematical capabilities.

Last December, TDWI (The Data Warehousing Institute) released a report outlining the use of predictive analytics. It's available here. In its introduction, the report states its premise:

"Although it has been around for decades, predictive analytics is a technology whose time has finally come. A variety of market forces have joined to make this possible, including an increase in computing power, a better understanding of the value of the technology, the rise of certain economic forces, and the advent of big data. Companies are looking to use the technology to predict trends and understand behavior for better business performance."

The report goes on to point out the ways in which business is making use of predictive analytics. A valuable reference document for any business looking to capitalize on the big data trend.

Tuesday, June 03, 2014

The Meaning of Mobility

Mobile units like smartphones and tablets have had a tremendous effect on society already, and its only beginning. The central issue is what content is consumer on these devices, how often and how. Traditionally, content has been carried to the consumer through various intermediaries, like cable companies, theatres, and book stores. We've already seen book stores decline, not to mention video stores. The incredible growth of mobility has initiated some of this change, and is compounding the rest. The latest victim is the film and TV Industries, whose basic distribution model is being shaken to the core, much like that of the publishing and music industries have been. Where this will lead is still open to question, The one certainty is that it will lead to massive change. For some further thoughts on this, from KPMG, click here.