Data Management

Understanding Data Management

Data management is a practice that involves the collection, keeping, and use of data securely, efficiently, and cost-effectively.
The goal of data management is to help people, organisations, and connected computing devices use data to answer questions, resolving issues, or meet goals.
It is crucial in ensuring the integrity, availability, and timeliness of data for its users.

Data Lifecycle Stages

Data creation - This stage involves the generation of data either from internal operations or external sources.
Data storage and maintenance - The produced data is stored in databases or data warehouses. It may also involve activities to clean, validate, modify, and protect data.
Data use - Here, the stored data is utilised for specific purposes like analysis, decision making, or training AI models.
Data archival - When not in active use, data may be archived for potential future needs.
Data deletion - Eventually, data that is no longer useful or necessary is destroyed or securely deleted.

Data Backup

Data backup is a critical aspect of data management, often serving as a safeguard against data loss by creating copies of data that can be retrieved when needed.
Different strategies are used like full backup, incremental backup, or differential backup.

Data Recovery

Data recovery refers to the process of restoring data that has been lost, accidentally deleted, corrupted, or made inaccessible.
It often requires special tools or software and should be carried out immediately after the data loss to increase the chances of recovery.

Data Security

Data security involves protective measures and strategies implemented to keep data protected from corruption, compromise, or loss.
This includes physical security measures, access control, data encryption, and creating user awareness about potential threats.

Legislation and Ethics in Data Management

There is a number of regulations concerning data management, such as the UK’s Data Protection Act and the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) in the EU.
These regulations stipulate how data must be handled, protected, and how breaches must be reported.
Ethical considerations, like respecting user privacy, seeking informed consent before collecting data, and using data responsibly, are integral parts of data management.

Remember, having a solid understanding of data management helps in creating robust, secure, and efficient systems that respect user privacy.