As anyone from scientist to someone waiting for the delayed 07:02 to Waterloo will tell you, it’s all about the data. The details. The nitty-gritty.
Data drives our modern world. Actually, it’s really driven the world for a very long time. Those pioneering scientists, physicians and engineers – some through luck, but mainly through the hours of accurately and meticulously collecting and studying the data.
I was considering this as I apprehensively sat in the front row of a lecture hall at the Royal College of Physicians waiting for my slot to talk to the Pensions Research Accountants Group (PRAG) AGM last Wednesday. I was talking to the assembled delegates about Cyber Security and Data Protection (heaps to consider in this area, and hopefully I shon a bit of a light), and considered the impacts on know-how and patient data.
For Joe Public, data, and more importantly, its presentation and accessibility are part of everyday life – although unlikely considered as such. Especially when I see adverts for Blackpool hotels popping up in my Facebook feed (yes, I’m considering a weekend to Blackpool – hopefully no fisty-cuffs and chipped teeth though like poor old Gorka). I do feel a little invaded…in spite of the helpfulness of knowing that Trip Advisor is at hand to help me with my booking (which it does again, and again and…). Annoyingly though, the data is often wrong…