Disruptive By Design: Leveraging Data in a Data-Rich World

It is often said, “data is the new oil.” While the phrase might be a bit tongue in cheek, it highlights how data is becoming (if it isn’t already) the more important asset for any organization. To help wrap your head around how vast data is becoming, here are a few stats to help you conceptualize it (statistics compiled by financesonlines.com):

• 74 zettabytes—the total data in the world by the end of 2021, according to expert predictions (IDC & Statista, 2020).
• One study shows that 1.145 trillion megabytes of data are created every day (TechJury, 2021).
• 3,026,626 emails are sent every second (Internet Live Stats, 2021).
• 463 zettabytes of data will be created every day by 2025 (Raconteur, 2020).
• There will be more connected devices in 2023—at three times the size of the global population
• (RCR Wireless News, 2020).

As more and more people use the internet, cybersecurity threats also continue to grow.

To date, 230,000 new malware samples are created every day (PurpleSec, 2021).

In Spiderman, the character Uncle Ben says, “With great data comes great responsibility.” After fact-checking, he actually said, “With great power…” but what he says is still applicable to our point. While all this data is great for people and organizations to leverage, the other side of the coin is that known bad actors now have more access points and ways to steal data from organizations and individuals.

There are countless examples of these known bad actors stealing and holding data for ransom (often referred to as ransomware). The prime example that comes to mind is the Colonial Pipeline in 2021. The results were detrimental and were felt by everyday citizens. Once news got out, gas prices rose as people rushed to the pumps to get gas, fearing the worst. The Colonial Pipeline ended up paying the ransom of $4.4 million to try and salvage the situation.

Within the Department of Defense, there is a new notion of the “digital battlefield.” A number of high-ranking military officials have said that more battles are being waged on this digital battlefield where the ammunition is data. Even in a public sector organization like the Department of Defense, the importance of data is being emphasized. For the Department of Defense and all other federal agencies to succeed moving forward, their understanding and protection of that data is paramount.

Moreover, the protection and understanding of data no longer falls solely on the shoulders of people like data scientists but instead rests on everyone. It is important that everyone comprehends the power of this data because the bad actors definitely understand. So, whether you are the U.S. Department of Defense or a regional tire shop in Toledo, Ohio, it is paramount to leverage data not only to help your organization run smoothly but to ensure that data is being protected for your own organization and, maybe more importantly, your customers.

Abraham Yi is the senior account executive for the U.S. Army at Cohesity.

Disruptive by Design explores innovation and ideas with the potential to expand capabilities and revolutionize products, services and behaviors. The opinions expressed in this article are not to be construed as official or reflecting the views of AFCEA International. For more information, visit our Emerging Leaders site.