The Importance of De-Identifying Big Data

Imagine yourself working with massive collection of data sets. Add up to that the complexity of each set and you will definitely give up working on them using just your on-hand database management applications. This huge aggregation of data sets is what we call "big data". There's no denying that big data are indeed difficult to handle especially if you rely on desktop statistics or visualization packages and relational databases. In this light, it is important to de-identify these big data to keep your sanity intact and save some precious time.
De-identification refers to the process wherein information of a certain collection of data is stripped to prevent the identification of the data source. One use of this process includes privacy for research. De-identification can also preserve the information for identification which could only be re-linked by trusted entities.
If you are greatly involved in the field of research or business, just to name a few, you will find a number of good reasons for de-identifying your big data. In fact, experts say that de-identification is a very handy tool for all your needs. Since we are living in an age where we have a significantly bigger amount of data, more sophisticated data-mining techniques and more computing power, it would really be very helpful to have something to make the tasks lighter and easier.
Once you have de-identified your big data, you can use these for an array of worthwhile activities such as:

• Allowing innovative energy research with data that will never reveal the corresponding energy consumers
• Allowing healthcare research breakthrough with data from patients without infringing their privacy
• Allowing libraries to maintain the readers' privacy regarding their viewing and reading activities while keeping statistics and trends
• Allowing marketing improvement based on consumer activity data without divulging their personal information

It is also important to keep in mind that even after you have de-identified your data, you still need some safety nets because information security is largely vital to you and your field. Here are some great reasons for you to de-identify big data:

1. When you use de-identified data, you are decreasing your risks of legal non-compliance.
2. De-identification is deemed as an effective way to guard privacy in the event that the information is obtained or seen by unauthorized people.
3. Companies that use de-identified data can mitigate the risks of privacy breaches among their clients and also reduce their liabilities regarding matters that involve the clients' data.
4. The process lets marketing research happen while recognizing and respecting the privacy policies.
5. It also allows important health research to take place while protecting the patients' privacy.

De-identification is considered as a unique tool that lets data to be used in the business field in more ways than any other security tools like access or encryption controls.
You can liken the de-identification to a car's seatbelt-it works with other safeguards to help lessen the damages or harms that could occur. Remember, de-identification may not deliver 100% of what you expect from it but this does not mean that you must not use it. It's better to be safe than sorry after all.