Big data and cyber security are two concepts that often go hand in hand, yet many people fail to understand the true danger that their combination poses. Sure, we all worry about hackers compromising our personal information and identity theft, but big data opens the door to a much more dangerous realization.
To provide some context and help define the concept of big data, it’s essentially vast, complex collections of data points that are collected, analyzed, and used to anticipate trends and make predictions. For businesses, big data can be a tool to better understand customer preferences, market trends, and more. While seemingly innocuous, big data also presents the potential for data abuse and misuse, particularly when it comes to cyber security.
In a modern digital world, the vast majority of personal information is stored online. Through complex algorithms and predictive analytics, huge stores of private data can be mined and analyzed to determine a person’s habits, preferences, and more. This makes them vulnerable to an abundance of cyber threats, ranging from minor inconveniences to the complete and total overthrow of digital security. It’s a frightening prospect, particularly when you consider that everything from your bank details to your medical records are readily available online, just waiting to be exploited by malicious actors.
It’s easy to suggest that one should simply avoid sharing their data online, but the reality is that it’s nearly impossible to completely avoid doing so. Online retail stores, streaming services, social media, and even basic web-browsing – all of these activities generate data that, when collected and analyzed, can be used to invasive ends.
But fear not – the situation is not completely hopeless! There are a variety of steps you can take to protect yourself from the dangers of big data, ranging from using strong passwords to not clicking on suspicious links. Additionally, keeping yourself informed and up to date with the latest information security developments can go a long way towards keeping you safe.
Doing what you can to protect yourself from the dangers of big data is a noble cause, but it's also important to remember that not everything has to be so serious! After all, cyber security is nothing to joke about...but this pun sure is: What did the fish say when he hit the wall? Dam!