BLUF

Every day massive amounts of data are generated—data management is a vital business skill to ensure that organisations use data effectively and efficiently.

Summary

This article begins with a definition of ‘data management’, as follows:

‘Data management is the process of ingesting, storing, organizing and maintaining the data created and collected by an organization.

The article makes the following points:

  • Data is an asset that can inform the decision-making process.
  • There may be a legal requirement to store and manage data to make it available on request.
  • Databases are the platform(s) where the data is stored.
  • Database admin is a core function, and databases need to be continually monitored.
  • A database management system is the software that an organization uses to manage its data.
  • Worth remembering the 3-2-1 backup rule:
    • You should have three copies of your data. 
    • One copy for everyday use.
    • And two backup copies, preferably using different media and stored off-site.

Consider whether the rules of data management apply to individuals and the way they manage their personal data.

References