Data
The big D is data. What and why? I shall explain. Let’s be honest here, the reason that IT people exist is for the big D. There really isn’t any other purpose to my career other than data. We are either sharing it, collecting it, or protecting it. Data makes the world go round. And you thought it was just the Internet that makes it all important, hahaha. But seriously, why else does the Internet exist? It’s to share data. But Angel, Facebook? Yup, even Facebook. At its core, has collected and shared (sort of) data.
So what is data. It’s information at it’s simplest form. I am sharing my brain data on this blog with you and you will be collecting it when you read it. Sounds a bit simple and sci-fi at the same time but it still has value nonetheless. Again the point of a cyber security professional’s job is to protect that data. And I read a story today that inspired this blog.
Wired put out an article titled “Diehard Coders Just Rescued NASA’s Earth Science Data”.
Now regardless of political views or opinions, this is brilliant. Why? Because a bunch of coders decided, they weren’t asked to, tag and bag research data from NASA’s Earth Science. This is important because we are protecting data. Whether or not people believe that data, it should be collected and protected. After all that’s what we (IT Professionals) do.
“The data collection is methodical, mostly. About half the group immediately sets web crawlers on easily-copied government pages, sending their text to the Internet Archive, a digital library made up of hundreds of billions of snapshots of webpages. They tag more data-intensive projects—pages with lots of links, databases, and interactive graphics—for the other group. Called “baggers,” these coders write custom scripts to scrape complicated data sets from the sprawling, patched-together federal websites (Molteni, 2017).”
I sort of feel like we are modern day librarians - only because we help collect, share, and protect data. Doesn’t a librarian do that, non digitally, with books? I believe so. Or maybe we are Data Scientists? I like that idea too, haha. Can I have a lab coat? Maybe?
Image retrieved from: https://www.pinterest.com/exasolag/fun-about-data/
Not all was saved
So not everything was collected during this event. Which is unfortunate but understandable. The question of whether the data missing was backed up or not is concerning. Which leads me to say, always backup your data.
Now the article goes on to say that they did get over 8,400 NASA and DOE webpages and downloaded over 10 gigs from private pages into the archive, from just this event. But there is still more to get. These volunteers are planning to get even more from national parks and other areas that have some concerns.
Whatever political position your at, I just ask that you admire your IT professionals, cyber security experts, and ethical hackers to realize they are the data keepers of the modern world. I find it amazing that these busy gals and guys took time out of their lives, without pay, without much recognition, to protect data that may or may not impact our lives. But at least it’s there if we want to read it or research it AND that is why isn’t so important. As a graduate student, research is my bread and butter, so to have that available is huge, as data is one of the most important aspects of our society.
Read the article if you have time.
Until next time, backup your data, and stay safe out there.
References
Molteni, M. (2017, February 13). Diehard Coders Just Rescued NASA’s Earth Science Data | WIRED. Retrieved from https://www.wired.com/2017/02/diehard-coders-just-saved-nasas-earth-science-data/
Week 10 Blog - CYBR 650
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