The phrase “big data security” is growing in popularity, tagging along with the rising number of big data solutions hitting the market. What the phrase means, however, depends on how it’s used. There is an interesting trend brewing that involves the use of big data for improving security, as a separate article in this issue explains, and then there is the concept of providing security for big data itself. The latter is what this article is about.
The same risks that apply to any data leaks also apply to big data leaks. When valuable information escapes the organization’s control, it can result in regulatory
non-compliance and generally damage the reputation of the organization and its brands. Furthermore, these negative outcomes grow in proportion to the extent to which the leaked data is shared. If competitors receive the leaked information, for example, any advantages the organization has relative to those competitors may be compromised.