FEATURE : DATA MANAGEMENT
When data is not given necessary attention or poor data maintenance , it can result in irreversible damage , compromising efficiency , security , stability of the African enterprise says Gary Allemann at Master Data Management .
Neglecting data maintenance
Inadequate data maintenance disrupts operations , impairs productivity , and dissatisfies customers , resulting in financial losses . Without adequate data maintenance , data can be permanently lost due to hardware failures , software glitches , or accidental deletions wiping out critical information , leading to operational setbacks and permanent data loss .
Data integrity , security , and availability are vital aspects to consider whether it pertains to personal information , business records , or research data . However , many individuals and organisations often neglect the importance of data maintenance , which can lead to data load shedding – a term used to describe the loss , corruption , or unavailability of data due to poor data management practices .
The term data load shedding is used to refer to the consequences that arise from not properly maintaining and managing data . Just like the South African power grid experiences disruptions and blackouts due to lack of maintenance and poor planning , the mismanagement of data can lead to similar disruptions and losses in the digital realm .
When data is not given the necessary attention , it can result in irreversible damage , compromising the efficiency , security , and stability of various operations .
Neglected data is vulnerable to security breaches and unauthorised access . Cybercriminals actively target unprotected or poorly maintained data systems to gain unauthorised access to sensitive information , which can result in financial loss , reputational damage , and legal repercussions .
Neglecting data maintenance can result in noncompliance with data protection regulations and legal obligations like the CPA leading to penalties , fines , or legal action if they fail to protect customer data . When data is not properly maintained , businesses and individuals may miss various opportunities and face potential disadvantages .
Data maintenance at a price
Data maintenance involves regularly analysing and extracting valuable insights from data . Without proper maintenance , important trends , patterns , and correlations may go unnoticed , leading to missed opportunities .
Data maintenance helps organisations identify areas of inefficiency and allocate resources
Poor data maintenance as damaging as load shedding
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