Government data is growing and agencies are looking to leverage big data to support government mission outcomes. However, most agencies lack the data storage/access, computational power, and personnel they need to take advantage of the big data opportunity, according to a study by MeriTalk sponsored by NetApp. The report, “The Big Data Gap,” reveals that Federal IT professionals believe big data can improve government but that the promise of big data is locked away in unused or inaccessible data. […]

Unlike its predecessors, big data has emerged as more than just a new technology. It has proven to be one of the most promising yet challenging technologies for both government and industry. Before IT leaders can harness the full potential of big data, there are key issues to address surrounding infrastructure, storage, and training. MeriTalk surveyed 17 visionary big data leaders to find out what they see as the big data challenges and opportunities as well as how government can best leverage big data. […]

Despite the buzz, big data is a new concept and many state and local agencies are behind the curve. Although thought leaders are extolling the virtues and benefits of big data, the truth is that to capture the full potential of big data, state and local agencies need the ability to easily store and access data, robust computational power and software to manipulate the data, and trained personnel to analyze the data. MeriTalk surveyed state and local IT professionals to better understand the current data position for state and local agencies and to identify the current gap between the big data opportunity and reality. […]

The TechAmerica Big Data Commission’s recent report predicts the term “Big Data” will be forgotten in 10 years, but its principles will underpin society. MeriTalk surveyed 150 Federal IT executives to gauge if agencies are taking the steps needed to operationalize the Big Data opportunity. […]

This white paper, written by Jean Yan, program manager, Data.gov, U.S. General Services Administration, seeks to promote, lead, and collaborate in the era of big data. The white paper addresses why big data is a hot topic, how big data works, what the main differences between traditional data analytics and big data analytics is, and what the major challenges, risks, and limitations are. […]

State and local governments are deploying the Big Five – data center consolidation, mobility, security, big data, and cloud computing – but are they prepared? Download the report at: https://meritalk.com/bigfiveinoverdrive […]

MeriTalk’s recent study, “Balancing the Cyber Big Data Equation,” examines the symbiotic relationship between Big Data and cyber security. The report captures insight from 18 Federal cyber and Big Data leaders on this two-way street and explores what agencies are doing today, how they are balancing access and risk, and what’s next as technologies and policies mature. Download the report at: https://meritalk.com/Balancing-Cyber-BigData […]

In this blog from Joyce Hunter, deputy CIO for policy and planning, United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), learn more about the potential for direct access for food safety and food sourcing information through open data. […]

In this blog from Joyce Hunter, deputy CIO for policy and planning, United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), learn more about USDA’s support of the Open Data Policy and the recently launched Food, Agriculture, and Rural virtual community on Data.gov. […]

MeriTalk’s study, “The Big Data Cure,” examines the current and future landscape of Federal healthcare and healthcare research in relation to Big Data. Is Big Data the cure? Download the report to learn more: https://meritalk.com/bigdatacure […]

In this blog, Joyce Hunter, deputy CIO for policy and planning, United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), discusses the importance of real-time access to information before, during, and after a disaster, highlighting the 2014 USDA Open Data submission focused on Disaster Relief data. […]

IT initiatives promise to drive cost savings, but most agencies are leaving money on the table. Our study, “Show Me the Money: The Key to Doubling Agency Savings,” examines how to close the savings gap: https://meritalk.com/fedsaver […]