Page 12 - GCN, Oct/Nov 2016

ADVANCED ANALYTICS
SPONSORED CONTENT
BIG DATA’S UNTAPPED POTENTIAL
Open source technology provides strong, cost-effective foundation for data analysis.
WILLIAM SULLIVAN
VICE PRESIDENT PUBLIC SECTOR CLOUDERA
GOVERNMENT AGENCIES are just now beginning to tap into the vast potential of the data they ingest from multiple sources. They’re using it to improve operations and help
manage their most pressing problems, from cybersecurity to healthcare and benefits fraud to enhancing citizen services and engagement. With the growing popularity of open source- based tools designed for a broad range of users, agencies can now more easily make data analytics an integral part of their operations.
Examples of advanced data analytics supporting the mission of government agencies include big data being used to predict the spread of the Zika virus, reduce the risks associated with space missions, deter predatory behavior, prevent veteran suicides, and advance precision medicine and genomics. More practically, agencies can use analytics to provide better, faster and more efficient government services while providing opportunities to engage with citizens through social media or similar channels.
Most agencies, however, have only just scratched the surface of data utilization, partly because of organizational and cultural challenges that can get in the way. These include a slow, cumbersome budget and appropriation process that makes acquiring modern technologies challenging, as well as the diversion of resources to the large number of legacy systems that agencies continue to support and fund.
There’s also the problem of sheer data volume. A recent study commissioned by Cloudera revealed nearly 40 percent of agency data goes unanalyzed because there is simply too much of it. Agencies lack the systems necessary to gather the data they need and, when they do, the information is no longer timely when it reaches those who need it.
To truly drive effective change, agencies must be able to harness the synergistic potential of social, mobile, data analytics, cloud and the In-
ternet of Things. Without the most effective tools and methods in place, the volume, variety and velocity of this data will ultimately overwhelm them. There are many ways to handle big data, but open source technologies are an effective solution and a natural fit for agencies grappling with this challenge in a fast, easy and secure manner.
And while security remains a primary concern for many agencies, open source technologies, particularly hybrid or commercially backed
open source software, often can be made more secure than proprietary counterparts. This can be achieved by integrating the necessary data security controls into the platform and delivering role-based authorization, therefore eliminating the need to encrypt the actual data and allowing for secure sharing.
Apache Hadoop is an open source framework for large-scale data processing
and analysis, core to Cloudera’s products
and solutions. It’s gaining momentum in government because it facilitates analyzing any type or volume of data. Support for Hadoop also addresses the administration’s desire for agencies to share and reuse source code rather than buying duplicative custom software.
More frequently, agencies are recognizing the power of data analytics to support their mission by improving operations and service delivery, despite limited resources. The emergence of more powerful, precise and cost- effective tools has made advanced analytics
a viable option for a broad range of potential users—not just data specialists.
It’s time for agencies to tap into the full potential of their data so they can make more informed decisions and better respond to the diverse situations they face every day. Hadoop can help them do this in a cost-effective, secure and powerful way.
William Sullivan is Vice President, Public Sector, for Cloudera.
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