Big Data: What is Big Data? Where is it found? What are the challenges and opportunities it represents?

13/05/2021

Innovation and Technology Committee Blog

Big Data is becoming increasingly prevalent in our society. Because of this, it is important for barristers to know what it is, and how to use it.

What is Big Data?

A definition of Big Data does not depend on an assessment of physical size. There is no need to measure the size of a dataset to see how much storage space it takes up, before deciding that 1.6Gb is suitably big. Instead, the usual definition of big data relies on it meeting one of the following criteria (known as the ‘three Vs’):

a. Volume: any data set so large it presents challenges in its storage, or processing;

b. Velocity: data is generated at a rapid pace, and there is a need to respond to it in real time; or

c. Variety: data is stored in a variety of different formats.

Click here for more information on Big Data and where is it found.

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