In this Blog
Imagine your company’s data as an iceberg – what you see on the surface is just a fraction of what’s lurking beneath. In the digital era, data fuels innovation and drives decisions. But what if I told you that a significant chunk of your data is like an untamed beast, ready to pounce with risk? Welcome to the world of unstructured data, a realm where 80% of your information resides, often overlooked, and yet responsible for a staggering portion of your risk profile.
We’re diving headfirst into the digital depths, where data sprawls in all its unstructured glory. You’ve probably heard the buzz about our upcoming webinar, “Unstructured Data Risk Exposed – The Experts’ Insights” on September 5, 2023 at 11.00 am EST. And let us tell you, this is not just another webinar; it’s a reality check, an eye-opener, and a game-changer rolled into one. Buckle up as we take you on a thrilling journey through the data-dominated landscapes of today’s cyber world.
Diving into the Depths of Unstructured Data Risks
In today’s data-driven world, the term “data” often conjures up images of neatly organized spreadsheets, meticulously categorized databases, and structured information that fits snugly into rows and columns. But what about the other side of the data spectrum? The chaotic, uncharted territory that is unstructured data?
Imagine a virtual attic within your organization, filled with an assortment of files, emails, multimedia content, and documents. These digital artifacts don’t conform to the structured data model, defying easy categorization. We’re talking about the emails exchanged during project brainstorming sessions, the customer feedback hidden in lengthy PDF documents, and the memos that are more like works of abstract art than structured reports.
The numbers speak volumes about the scale of unstructured data’s presence in the digital universe. Reports suggest that by 2025, the digital universe will reach 175 zettabytes – that’s 175 trillion gigabytes, with a staggering 80% of this data taking the form of unstructured data. So, by 2025, the digital universe will be more than 140 times larger than it was just 15 years ago. This means that, even though the majority of an organization’s data exists in this wild and untamed format, it often receives a disproportionately small amount of attention in terms of management and security.
But why is unstructured data such a big deal? After all, it’s just random files and communications, right? Well, here’s where things get interesting.
Imagine you’re a cybercriminal on the hunt for sensitive information to exploit. You stumble upon an organization’s unstructured data – a treasure trove of loosely guarded documents. Among these, you find an unsecured Excel file containing a list of employee email addresses, personal identification numbers, and payroll details. This kind of data is the perfect fuel for identity theft, fraud, or spear-phishing attacks. Unlike structured data, which is usually locked down in databases and requires some level of access rights to breach, unstructured data often lacks the same level of security measures.
The Equifax breach in 2017 serves as a stark example of the havoc unstructured data can wreak when left unprotected. The personal and financial data of 143 million people were exposed due to an unpatched software vulnerability. It’s important to note that this breach wasn’t a result of a direct assault on a structured database. Instead, it exploited an unstructured area – an overlooked corner of their digital infrastructure. This incident underscores the critical need to extend robust security measures to all types of data, structured and unstructured alike.
But the risks go beyond breaches. Unstructured data poses a significant challenge when it comes to regulatory compliance. Picture this: A new data privacy law has been passed, and your organization needs to identify all instances of customer data within its digital ecosystem to ensure compliance. If your data is a labyrinth of unstructured information, this task can quickly become a compliance nightmare. Without clear visibility into where sensitive data resides, organizations can find themselves in hot water, facing hefty fines and damaged reputations. The undeniable reality is that the risks associated with unstructured data are not theoretical – they are very much real and tangible. It’s akin to ignoring a ticking time bomb that’s hidden in plain sight within your organization’s digital corridors.
Why the Blind Eye?
So, why have organizations been turning a blind eye to this ticking time bomb? The short answer: complexity. Unstructured data is a Pandora’s box of formats – emails, documents, images, and whatnot. This hodgepodge of information is scattered across file shares, cloud storage, and personal devices, making it an uphill battle to keep track of, let alone secure.
But here’s the kicker: these risks don’t just come from external threats. Insider threats are a ticking time bomb too. A survey by Ponemon Institute found that 60% of data breaches involved insiders. Whether it’s a disgruntled employee or a careless mistake, unstructured data can easily fall into the wrong hands.
Why This Webinar Matters
Now, you might be thinking, “Okay, I get it. Unstructured data is risky. But what can I do about it?” Well, that’s precisely why we’ve brought together a dream team of industry experts for our upcoming webinar.
You see, the landscape might be challenging, but it’s not unconquerable. Our experts have been at the frontline of data management and cybersecurity battles. They’ve seen the aftermath of unstructured data breaches and have successfully navigated the complex terrains of risk management. They’re armed with real-life stories, battle scars, and most importantly, solutions.
Let’s delve into some of the highlights you can expect:
- Deep Dive into Unstructured Data: What You Need to Know: Think of your company’s digital world as a hidden maze of information. Our group of experts is ready to explore it deeply with you. In this online event, we won’t just skim the surface – we’re diving headfirst into the important stuff about unstructured data, cyber risks, and following the rules. Our experts have spent years dealing with data and online security. They’re here to give you insights that go beyond the basics. Unstructured data might look like a mess, but it’s like a hidden treasure – or a big problem – for your company. Our experts will talk about real-life situations where businesses like yours faced issues because they didn’t handle their unstructured data properly. We’ll look at cases about cyber breaches and non-compliance, all because organizations didn’t pay attention to the dangers of unstructured data.
- Shocking Numbers: Why You Need to Act Now: Numbers can really make you understand a situation. We’ll share numbers from trustworthy research that show how serious the risks of unstructured data are. These numbers aren’t just random – they’re like keys that unlock the understanding that you really need to take action, and fast. Experts say that by 2025, more than 80% of all the data stored will be unstructured. That’s a lot! It means unstructured data is growing super fast, and we’re not keeping up with how to handle and protect it. We’re showing you these numbers so that you feel like you need to do something about it right now.
- Doing Something About It: Getting Control Over the Chaos: Knowing about risks is important, but knowing how to deal with them is even more important. Our event isn’t just about telling you stuff – it’s about giving you ideas that you can really use. Unstructured data might seem like a big mess, but our experts will help you figure out how to find and secure important data hidden in the chaos. Imagine if you had a set of tools that can tell which data is really important and which isn’t, even if it’s in different types of files. Automated and unified data management platforms can find data you didn’t even know was there. These ideas aren’t just theories – big companies are already using them to get a grip on their data mess.
- Ask Us Anything: We’re Here to Help: The cool thing about a live event is that you can ask questions. Our experts want to talk with you, not just at you. As you learn about all this stuff during the event, you might have questions – things you’re curious about and want to know more. In our Q&A session, you can ask our experts anything you want. Whether you’re confused about something they said, want advice on doing something in your company, or need more info about a case they mentioned, they’re here to help. This is your chance to get info from people who really know about data and security, and turn it into things you can actually do.
It’s time to mark your calendars, spread the word, and prepare for a webinar that might just change the way you look at data forever. This is your chance to be part of a community committed to safeguarding businesses against the relentless wave of cyber threats.
As we gear up for this exclusive webinar, remember that the world of unstructured data holds both peril and promise. The choice is yours – remain vulnerable to the unseen risks, or take charge of your data’s destiny. We can’t wait to welcome you to Unstructured Data Risk Exposed – The Experts’ Insights.
Date: September 5, 2023
Time: 11:00 AM EST
Together, let’s pave the way to a safer digital future. We’ll see you at the webinar!
For more information about Data Dynamics, visit www.datadynamicsinc.com or contact us at solutions@datdyn.com, (713)-491-4298.
