Preparing Data Management for the Internet of Things: A Guide
In the modern digital landscape, the Internet of Things (IoT) is becoming increasingly prevalent in businesses across various sectors. Estimates suggest that the number of connected devices worldwide could range from 20 billion to 50 billion by 2020, posing significant challenges for organisations in managing their information governance strategies.
A survey reveals that close to one in ten respondents admit their organisations fail to regulate even well-established information types such as email, customer data, and public online content. This becomes more complex with the incorporation of social media posts, texts, instant messages, tweets, and online file sharing into formal information processes.
The complexities of the data landscape generated by connected devices and systems will pose legal and regulatory challenges. Organisations may struggle with information governance under the weight of emerging digital channels and IoT, potentially leading to buckling.
In Germany, organisations active in developing information on the IoT include large enterprises implementing comprehensive solutions, SMEs adopting affordable applications, and networks like Bits & Bäume, which focus on sustainable and socially just digitalization. Challenges in implementing information governance strategies involve ensuring data sovereignty, compliance with legal standards (e.g., GDPR, eIDAS), interoperability, managing the technological and regulatory complexity of digital identity, and balancing sustainability goals with digital innovation.
Many businesses have a keep-it-all-in-case culture due to their reluctance to destroy data that could deliver value in the future. Determining what information constitutes a record or has potential business value, and applying an appropriate retention rule, can be a difficult task. The storage and retention of information generated by IoT devices will be a challenge.
Pre-defining and automating categorisation can limit storage and vulnerability. Defining and enforcing clear responsibilities amongst the team is important for effective information governance. However, a third of businesses have yet to allocate content responsibility for these communication channels, according to a survey.
Judgement calls about record disposition will be necessary, but these decisions can be aided by having strong information governance in place. The time to start putting information governance strategies in place for IoT is now, as the IoT is expected to generate vast amounts of data.
The sourced information is from Sue Trombley, Iron Mountain. In 2015, the number of connected devices and systems in use is expected to reach 4.9 billion. A connected device in a domestic fridge, for example, can generate personal information about an individual's health, lifestyle, and changing family structure.
Organisations need to work on their information governance strategies to accommodate emerging information types from connected devices. This includes understanding the potential value and risks associated with the data generated, and developing strategies to manage and protect this information effectively.
Read also:
- Development of Restaurant Apps: Expenses and Essential Elements
- AI-Generated Humor Spreads on Gemini Nano Banana: Light-hearted Modifications Spark Concerns over User Privacy
- New study reveals that Language Models can execute complex assaults independent of human intervention
- Africa Debuts Its First Artificial Intelligence Data Centre
