Dark data as a new challenge to improve business performances: review and perspectives

Abstract

Many studies in big data focus on the uses of data available to researchers, leaving without treatment data that is on the servers but of which researchers are unaware [1]. This unmanaged, unrated, and unknown data is prevalent in most companies. This overlooked information takes up valuable storage capacity and may contain hidden risks and usually lies abandoned on the periphery of the information governance agenda. In this article, we present and discuss the value of dark data and focus on risks caused by this dark data. To this end, we provide statistics of a major IDC (International Data Corporation) and other companies. We also explain how this new term in the world of data can be exploited, to avoid the risks.