Technological advancements and the exponential growth of information are reshaping business practices across various sectors, including government. The surge in mobile devices and applications, smart sensors, cloud computing solutions, and citizen-facing portals is driving a significant increase in data generation and digital archiving within government entities. As the volume and complexity of digital information expand, the challenges related to managing, processing, storing, securing, and disposing of this data become more intricate. However, new tools for capturing, searching, discovering, and analyzing unstructured data are enabling organizations to derive valuable insights. The government sector is at a critical juncture, recognizing that information is a strategic asset. To better serve the public and meet mission requirements, government agencies need to protect, leverage, and analyze both structured and unstructured information. As leaders strive to transform their organizations into data-driven entities, they are establishing frameworks to identify and correlate dependencies across events, people, processes, and information.
High-impact government solutions will emerge from the integration of the most transformative technologies:
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Mobile devices and applications
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Cloud services
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Social business technologies and networking
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Big Data and analytics
Big Data is a key intelligent industry solution that enables government agencies to make informed decisions by analyzing large volumes of data—both structured and unstructured. By identifying patterns within these vast datasets, governments can take more effective actions.
However, achieving these outcomes requires more than just collecting massive amounts of data. "Interpreting such vast quantities of Big Data necessitates cutting-edge tools and technologies capable of analyzing and extracting meaningful insights from diverse streams of information," Tom Kalil and Fen Zhao of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy wrote in a blog post.
In 2012, the White House took a significant step toward helping agencies find these necessary tools by launching the National Big Data Research and Development Initiative. This initiative allocated over $200 million to capitalize on the surge in Big Data and develop the required analytical tools.
The challenges posed by Big Data are as formidable as its potential is promising. Efficient data storage is a major challenge, especially given budget constraints. Agencies must reduce the cost per megabyte of storage while ensuring easy access for users when and how they need it. Backing up large volumes of data further complicates this task.
Effective data analysis presents another significant challenge. Many agencies use commercial tools to sift through vast datasets, identifying trends that can enhance operational efficiency. A recent study by MeriTalk found that federal IT executives believe Big Data could help agencies save more than $500 billion while also achieving their mission objectives.
Custom-developed Big Data tools are also aiding agencies in analyzing their data. For instance, the Oak Ridge National Laboratory’s Computational Data Analytics Group has made its Piranha data analytics system available to other agencies. This system has helped medical researchers identify a critical link that can alert doctors to potential aortic aneurysms before they occur. It is also used for more routine tasks, such as filtering through resumes to match job candidates with hiring managers.
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