Do you know how much data we are generating? Well, to put it in numbers, it is believed that there was a total of 4 zettabytes of data generated by 2020. Technological advancements and the ever-increasing data are revolutionizing how decisions are made. Government bodies gather and analyze a vast amount of data to generate insights, which was not possible earlier. They can now use these insights in several ways to make informed decisions for better outcomes.
Today, we will be looking at a few such methods. But before delving deep into that, it is essential to understand how government should store data to get the best insights.
How government should store and manage data
There are multiple data storage options right from on-premise to cloud to a hybrid infrastructure. Each of these models has a set of benefits and disadvantages. Then which one is the best for government organizations. Well, it all depends on the requirements. However, the primary focus should be on having a well-established data structure and security. For instance, choosing a data warehouse structure would help gather all the data and analyze it faster.
Storing and managing data is a hectic process. Hence, the government should hire someone with exceptional experience in both government and business data storage solutions. Such a service provider will have the relevant knowledge of how private sectors are leveraging data and making the most out of it. Besides, it can also provide optimal data security with timely data backup so that the government can focus on utilizing data instead of saving it.
How the government is using data
While the government can use data in almost every sector for better decisions and enhanced outcomes, here are some key areas where data has the most significant impact:
1. Healthcare and research
The recent pandemic has had a substantial impact on healthcare government organizations. It has accelerated digital transformation worldwide. The government is looking for ways to connect healthcare, and it is only possible through data. Data analytics can help them with better patient care. For instance, with the right amount of data, they can quickly determine the number of empty beds in a hospital and guide the patients accordingly.
Data insights are also beneficial in health-related researches. Technologies like big data analytics can help analyze a tremendous amount of biomedical data to find disease patterns. This can further help with developing medicines for unknown diseases and prepare for the future. Similarly, data gathered from social media can help detect behavioral patterns of people with suicidal tendencies.
2. Crime
Like in research, analyzing a vast amount of data can also help find patterns in crime and help the police department fight it. Suppose a burglar has a set pattern of timing, the way of entry, threatening the victim, etc., for committing a crime. The police department can find this pattern using data and stay ahead of the burglar to prevent future offenses.
Another application of data analytics in fighting crime is the ability to mine databases in real-time. Let’s assume there is a murder suspect who has committed the crime in Arizona and is roaming hundreds of miles away in South Dakota. Now, even if that person commits a minor offense like jaywalking in South Dakota, the police can mine through the entire USA’s database and identify him or her as the suspect murderer.
3. Education
Education is an important sector that can define the future of a country. The government can use data here to improve the overall education sector. It can gain insights into the needs of the educational institutions at both state and federal levels. This can help make the right decisions and provide the best education to the youth of the nation.
The U.S. Department of Education has taken a step to leverage data for better outcomes in this sector. It is developing data mining and analytics systems that can monitor online learning patterns and guide a student if any mistakes are made. The systems are also capable of detecting boredom based on the key click patterns.
4. Agriculture
The government is responsible for tracking how much land and livestock exists across the country. With the help of data analytics, it is now easy for the public sector organizations to monitor the different crops grown, the number of animals held, what amount of crops can be exported, etc. What used to be the most challenging job for the government is simplified all because of real-time analytics.
Embracing the use of data and digital information is vital for governments worldwide. It might not solve all the problems, but it is undoubtedly a significant step in the right direction. When leaders are equipped with comprehensive data and the right set of analytics tools, they can make informed decisions and better serve people.
