Government big data can fill vital niches

According to Government Computer News, the current U.S. government focus on big data analytics can help fill vital technological needs. With an official statement from the White House backing the creation of new big data projects, the time appears ripe to compete in a number of fields that were impenetrable before the advent of unstructured data analytics.

One area mentioned by the news source is infrastructure protection. Numerous sensors around the world are constantly capturing data. Programs to make that information useful to the intelligence community are now possible with the aid of big data. With government help, the source argues, these efforts can excel.

An alternative effort mentioned by the source is research into the pure use of big data. While private sector companies need to be motivated by particular business cases, according to the source, the government's big data drive will allow researchers to develop data science as its own end.

According to ZDNet Australia, international data scientists are aware of U.S. efforts. Australian expert Malcom Crompton commented on the American effort when urging his own company to increase its focus on big data efforts, which he sees as vital to the future of business.