In the past decade, data has transformed into a powerful mega-tool. Big data is generated from nearly infinite sources today is helping businesses make meaningful decisions. From selecting innovative solutions for implementation to discovering trends that will help improve quality of life, the ways this knowledge can be used are countless. Government agencies are also able to enjoy these benefits and stand to gain substantially in doing so.
Cost Savings
One advantage of big data in government is more effective application of resources, both human and financial. Using big data as a tool in fraud prevention efforts is helping to reduce payouts previously made to scam accounts or ineligible recipients for Social Security, as an example. Disability claims can be reviewed through data analytics to deny falsified applications. The Securities Exchange Commission also enjoys the benefits of using data trends to pick out exceptions, which can point to insider or other unlawful trading.
An agency every adult is familiar with is the IRS, responsible for handling the millions of tax returns submitted yearly. Identity theft and its use in refund fraud has risen sharply over the past few years, and the agency now uses a more comprehensive screening process to help weed out improper claims as well as protect their systems from infiltration. The payoff of this transition is that less money is paid out to cybercriminals, and legitimate taxpayers are better protected. Automating fraud detection and prevention tasks removes the possibility of human error when considering such a large volume of transactions or files that require review.
Big Data in Healthcare
Many interesting developments in the health industry come as a courtesy of the big data phenomenon. Consider the FDA’s newfound ability to use analytics to manage epidemics. This reduces the time it takes to contain an outbreak and prevent deaths, and recalls and timely consumer notification reduce healthcare expenses by curtailing the further spread of the problem.
The Veterans’ Health Administration is another important beneficiary of big data-related solutions. In both the government sector and private healthcare, data models are now able to use historical data to predict an impending health crisis. By alerting the patient’s care team when these patterns are detected, a catastrophe may be averted through appropriate treatment. Additionally, wearable devices may be used on real patients to further notify physicians and providers if trouble is brewing.
Enhancing Security
Possibly the most important impact contributed by big data is the improvement to security across the government. Data analytics have the ability to parse video surveillance and facial recognition databases to both prevent incidents and pursue suspects for arrest and prosecution. Manually reviewing footage for potential facial matches could take extensive time and be fraught with problems, whereas electronic analysis is extremely rapid and highly accurate. Homeland Security has been strengthened by these tools and is far more capable of protecting United States soil and residents as a result.
Big data is a powerful asset that may be very flexibly applied. From saving money to protecting the country and improving patient care, the benefits are immeasurable. For more information on using data across both government and private sector organizations, contact Copper State Communications today.
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