Data such as statistics, maps and real-time sensor readings help us to make decisions, build services and gain insight. Data infrastructure will only become more vital as our populations grow and our economies and societies become ever more reliant on getting value from data. Data infrastructure consists of data assets supported by people, processes and technology. Trustworthy data infrastructure is sustainably funded and is directed to maximise data use and value, meeting society’s needs. Data is as important as our road, railway and energy networks and should be treated as such. We risk seeing data only as a tool for transparency, when it should also be an engine of efficiency and growth. We need to strengthen our data infrastructure.
The Open Data Institute has released its distributed Blockchain technology in Global Data ##r technical report , which gives an overview of blockchain technology and its applications . The document covers distributed ledger basics , its possible applications , how the technology will need to integrate with global data infrastructure and grow over time , and the potential privacy issues that may arise from its use . Key insights include that the choice of a distributed ledger technology must be made with primary regard to the users ’ needs and that organisations across different sectors need to determine what common data infrastructure is necessary .