Big Data
Previously confidential documents have shed light on just how much data the UK’s intelligence services have been sifting through for over a decade. The types of data gathered by the intelligence services are wide ranging – Privacy International which revealed the documents said the agencies had the potential to requisition medical records and confidential information shared with a doctor, travel records, financial records, population data, commercial data, and feeds from internet and phone companies including billing data or subscriber details, content of communications and records from government departments. The agencies use this data to spot individuals of interest who might otherwise remain invisible. Following the Edward Snowden revelations, many tech companies improved protection for customer data flowing over the internet, making it hard for spies to tap in. And consumers are increasingly using end-to-end encrypted communications, which not even the companies providing the service can read, shutting out the spies again. As a result hacking and big data analytics will be big areas of interest for intelligence agencies. Data scientists and hackers will be as important to intelligence agencies from now on as old-fashioned spies.
Big data, bigger brother: The rise of James Bond, data scientist – ZDNet
Hadoop
Technavios market research analysts predict the Global Hadoop Market to grow at a CAGR of more than 53% over the next four years. Several factors such as data explosion in enterprises and demand for cost-effective solutions to meet big data analytics needs contribute to the growth of this market. However, the market is witnessing a lack of trained and talented technical experts. Companies are unaware of the technologies concerned and skills required for managing big data. As per the forecast, this market will witness a gradual shift towards Software as a Service (SaaS)-based Hadoop solutions as it helps enterprises save cost and gain a better user experience.
IoT
Dell is teaming up with a number of companies for what it calls its “IoT Partner Solutions Program”. Those involved, at least initially, are GE, Microsoft, OSIsoft, PTC, SAP and Software AG. “The program builds an ecosystem of partners to help customers navigate the fragmented IoT landscape and identify the right technologies to develop their IoT solutions”, Dell announces. There’s a lot involved in this — Dell claims it will combine its network of Independent software vendors along with the company’s range of IoT assets like intelligent gateways and embedded PCs, security and manageability tools, data center and cloud infrastructure, and data integration and analytics software. Dell is also working with Microsoft and Blue Pillar on solutions for the power grid, a seemingly endless vector for presumed attack, at least if you believe the media hype. Dell claims that “Additional partners are adding tremendous value through their specialized areas of expertise, including Azeti, Blue Pillar, Datawatch, Eigen Innovations, Flowthings, Flutura, GE, Kepware, Lynx Software, Microsoft Azure, OSIsoft, Relayr, SAP, Software AG, and ThingWorx”.
Dell teams with Microsoft and others to launch IoT Partner Solutions Program – BetaNews
eCommerce
MThe world of eCommerce is blowing up in the UK and the online retail industry is expected to grow by 10.5% this year and reach 173.7B euros. Today, the eCommerce Foundation released a study that shows over 43M Brits shopped online last year, of which 20% used a mobile device and on average British online shoppers sent 3,653 euros.
Ecommerce in the UK to reach 174 Billion in 2016 – eCommerce news UK