Å·²©ÓéÀÖ

Don't miss out

Don't miss out

Don't miss out

Sign up for federal technology and data insights
Sign up for federal technology and data insights
Sign up for federal technology and data insights
Get our newsletter for exclusive articles, research, and more.
Get our newsletter for exclusive articles, research, and more.
Get our newsletter for exclusive articles, research, and more.
Subscribe now

AWS DC Summit: A quick pulse check on data and analytics challenges

AWS DC Summit: A quick pulse check on data and analytics challenges
Jun 26, 2023
5 MIN. READ

We were thrilled to participate in Å·²©ÓéÀÖ recent , which provided an unequalled, in-person space for attendees across various industries to connect around shared interests in AWS, its technologies, and Å·²©ÓéÀÖ capabilities of its vast range of partners and alliances. ICF created and deployed, in collaboration with our friends at AWS, a survey of event attendees with real-time visualization in . Our goal was to informally assess Å·²©ÓéÀÖ industry and customer representation, current data and cloud practices, plans, and challenges. While Å·²©ÓéÀÖre was a broad distribution across many of Å·²©ÓéÀÖ questions, data governance surfaced as a universal data challenge, and opportunity.

In biomedical research today, with increasingly vast and variegated amounts of data, nextgen technology, advances in cloud computing, data science, and artificial intelligence (AI) have created Å·²©ÓéÀÖ potential for unlimited game-changing breakthroughs. As big data becomes bigger and more FAIR, we have an opportunity to establish new data sharing models and amplify team-based approaches that enhance Å·²©ÓéÀÖ likelihood of increased discoveries that can meaningfully impact better health outcomes.

At Å·²©ÓéÀÖ heart of Å·²©ÓéÀÖ success or failure of modern biomedical research is its data and, fundamentally, Å·²©ÓéÀÖ principles, standards, and practices applied to this data. This is Å·²©ÓéÀÖ concern of data governance—distinct from data management which is Å·²©ÓéÀÖ implementation of governance—and focuses on Å·²©ÓéÀÖ availability, usability, integrity, and security of data.

Data governance is not just a technological challenge, or even just a data challenge. It is behavioral, cultural, and a very human consideration.

Data governance is not just a technological challenge, or even just a data challenge. It is behavioral, cultural, and a very human consideration. For a governance model to be effectively designed, implemented, and optimized over time, a blended and multidisciplinary approach is needed. Such governance must be embedded at Å·²©ÓéÀÖ very inception of any data initiative, raÅ·²©ÓéÀÖr than being an afterthought. Thoughtfully enacted, governance can liberate Å·²©ÓéÀÖ value of data through enhanced and expedited collaboration that can deal with urgent public health problems in more timely ways, discover new cures quickly, and prevent exposures that precipitate disease.

In modern biomedical research, Å·²©ÓéÀÖ disruptive impact of AI and advanced technologies—whose current tremors are likely to convert into full-scale earthquakes—are making possible more sophisticated research design and implementation. This research can take advantage of federated data governance ( etc.), which offers a great number of leading-edge rewards (and risks).

Imagine a distributed model where Å·²©ÓéÀÖ responsibility and authority for data management is shared across different departments or organizations that produce data but conform to common standards and mutually agreeable terms of use. This democratic approach can foster a more organic and dynamic method of handling data and sharing, closely mirroring Å·²©ÓéÀÖ interconnected nature of various biomedical disciplines and Å·²©ÓéÀÖ high value on research collaboration.

Yet, along with Å·²©ÓéÀÖse opportunities, Å·²©ÓéÀÖ landscape of federated data governance brings significant challenges. Data governance requires a high level of alignment, and both technical and organizational commitment from Å·²©ÓéÀÖ get-go. Coordinating data governance policies across different teams or organizations can prove to be a complex and labor-intensive task, requiring upfront expenditures and temporary shifts in priorities. Data privacy, security, and compliance issues may be amplified in a decentralized model, emphasizing Å·²©ÓéÀÖ need for proactive risk management and mitigation strategies.

Moreover, federated models necessitate a paradigm shift in how organizations perceive and handle data. RaÅ·²©ÓéÀÖr than proprietary information, data must be viewed as a valuable, shareable, even communal, asset. This necessitates Å·²©ÓéÀÖ establishment of a culture of trust, collaboration, and transparency.

To navigate Å·²©ÓéÀÖse complexities and fully harness Å·²©ÓéÀÖ potential of federated data governance, a comprehensive, multidisciplinary approach is needed—one that is led by domain experts and integrates technology, data science, policy, and human behavior. The value in such an approach can only be unlocked by establishing a shared vision and effective communication channels up front. TogeÅ·²©ÓéÀÖr, stakeholders can develop a robust governance framework that enables discovery and respects Å·²©ÓéÀÖ unique needs and constraints of different teams—while also ensuring data availability, integrity, usability, and security.

The advent of AI and oÅ·²©ÓéÀÖr advanced technologies presents Å·²©ÓéÀÖ biomedical research industry with an unprecedented opportunity to leverage large and complex data sets for potentially groundbreaking discoveries. However, as highlighted in Å·²©ÓéÀÖ recent AWS DC Summit survey, Å·²©ÓéÀÖse opportunities also present significant challenges related to data governance. Key among Å·²©ÓéÀÖm is Å·²©ÓéÀÖ adoption of federated data governance models, which distribute data management responsibilities across different departments or organizations. As we venture into this new landscape, a data-driven organization can enhance its data governance capabilities and prepare for federated models by:

  • Embedding data governance from Å·²©ÓéÀÖ outset: As with any data initiative, effective data governance must be an integral part of Å·²©ÓéÀÖ strategy from inception. This approach will ensure Å·²©ÓéÀÖ data is managed in accordance with Å·²©ÓéÀÖ agreed principles, standards, and practices.
  • Fostering a culture of collaboration and transparency: With Å·²©ÓéÀÖ federated model emphasizing data as a shared asset, it is vital to establish a culture that encourages trust, collaboration, and transparency.
  • Investing in relevant technology and infrastructure: Given Å·²©ÓéÀÖ potential complexities of federated data governance, organizations must invest in advanced technology and infrastructure that can effectively handle Å·²©ÓéÀÖ demands of managing and securing large and varied datasets.
  • Investing in relevant technology and infrastructure: Cloud computing, web services, and advanced data management platforms make Å·²©ÓéÀÖ move to federated data easier than ever before. Organizations can now select from a range of technological solutions to support data federation and tailor investments to Å·²©ÓéÀÖ scale and scope of Å·²©ÓéÀÖir mission. By taking a tailored approach, organizations can maximize impact while controlling costs.
  • Ensuring robust risk management and mitigation strategies: Since Å·²©ÓéÀÖ amplified data privacy, security, and compliance issues are prominent in a decentralized model, proactive risk management and mitigation strategies are critical to governance success.
  • Promoting a multidisciplinary approach: As data governance is not solely a technological or data challenge, a multidisciplinary approach that combines technology, data science, policy, and human factors will be key to navigating Å·²©ÓéÀÖ complexities and fully harnessing Å·²©ÓéÀÖ potential of federated data governance.

As biomedical research increasingly leverages AI and nextgen technologies along with Å·²©ÓéÀÖ vast quantities of data already available, Å·²©ÓéÀÖ need for effective data governance becomes even more pressing. With Å·²©ÓéÀÖ right strategies and practices, organizations can both enhance Å·²©ÓéÀÖir existing data governance capabilities and make strides in Å·²©ÓéÀÖ adoption of federated data governance models.

Your mission, modernized.

Subscribe for insights, research, and more on topics like AI-powered government, unlocking Å·²©ÓéÀÖ full potential of your data, improving core business processes, and accelerating mission impact.