Benefits, business considerations and risks of big data

[摘要] ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Big data is an emerging technology and its use holds great potential and benefits fororganisations. The governance of this technology is something that is still a bigconcern and as aspect for which guidance to organisations wanting to use thistechnology is still lacking.In this study an extensive literature review was conducted to identify and define thebusiness imperatives distinctive of an organisation that will benefit from the use ofbig data. The business imperatives were identified and defined based on thecharacteristics and benefits of big data. If the characteristics and benefits are clear,the relevant technology will be better understood. Furthermore, the businessimperatives provide business managers with guidance to whether their organisationwill benefit from the use of this technology or not.The strategic and operational risks related to the use of big data were also identifiedand they are discussed in this assignment, based on a literature review. The risksspecific to big data are highlighted and guidance is given to business managers as towhich risks should be addressed when using big data. The risks are then mappedagainst COBIT 5 (Control Objectives for Information and Related Technology) tohighlight the processes most affected when implementing and using big data,providing business managers with guidance when governing this technology.

[发布机构] Stellenbosch University