Introduction

As digitalization increases with time, information creation, sharing, and storage have also increased. As new data types are being created, new dangers which are a threat to such information are also emerging with time.
Organizations are ready to draw insights from the new data being generated; however, these organizations are finding it difficult to manage and account flood of information. This is precisely where the term ‘Hyper Data Collection’ appears. In simple terms, hyper data collection is accessing and managing various data from different resources. Online sources such as cloud storage engines, Twitter, Netflix, eBay, TikTok, Bunnings, and so on are all hyperdata collectors. Organizations must strive to protect the Personal Identifiable Information (PII) emerging from such resources.
Hyper data collection is the capability businesses have to be able to access different data types. This is due to their ability to leverage wide-ranging access to an individual’s data by providing multiple services, products, and experiences.

Different Methods of Data Collection

There are many sources available for collecting data that is being sought. For example, to evaluate the effectiveness of marketing campaigns, a retailer may collate customer data from transaction records, mobile applications, website visits, an online survey, and so on. The methods for collecting data depend on the application type. Some use technology, whereas others are manual procedures. The following are some standard data collection methods:
• Automatic data collection functions built into business applications, mobile apps, websites, and mobile apps.
• Sensors that collect operational data from vehicles, industrial equipment, and other machinery.
• Collection of data from information services providers and other external data sources.
• Tracking discussion forums, social media, blogs, review sites, and other online channels.
• Forms, surveys, and questionnaires done online, in person, or by phone, email or regular mail.
• Focus groups and one-on-one interviews.
• Observation of participants in a research study.

More on Data Collection

Today, most of us have technology in our homes that collates, sorts, and analyzes data from our private lives. For example, smart thermostats, smart vacuum cleaners, or refrigerators. These smart IoT devices create and collect data about you and your family, giving companies a picture of consumers that was never available. Large corporations are using more information than is necessary. In most instances, there is not a genuinely legitimate legal or commercial purpose that supports the practice of hyper-collection. However, we often enable these devices to collect information to gain access to the services these companies offer. Organizations are ready with a new policy that can help safeguard data and information. Encryption-in-use offers a solution that is both ground-breaking and straightforward where data is always. Customer-controlled keys are the only means to decode files encrypted using the data being used. Data encryption technology can assist in maintaining a new level of security. Using encryption technology, organizations are given the freedom to innovate with their data while still maintaining the confidentiality and safety of the data of their clients. Businesses should not be forced to choose between offering personalized services and protecting their clients’ data.

Conclusion

Hyper data collection has both benefits and disadvantages. The advantage is the ability to analyze data that has never been accessible before. However, the drawback is the lack of transparency, which can put an individual’s personally identifiable information (PII) at risk. There is no scientific mechanism to track the hyper data that is being collected. It is vital that individuals have transparency in what they are consenting to minimize their data risk. Organizations need to know the tools available for better risk management that will enable more sophisticated data protection.