Dark Data

Dark data represents the information spread throughout an organization that remains uncataloged, unclassified, and unknowable. Dark data may include any kind of content, such as log files and transaction records, abandoned project repositories, forgotten backups, or files collected to support customer troubleshooting. Dark data can represent an untapped opportunity for organizations to extract new and impactful insights if it can be properly harnessed, but it also represents a significant threat if it remains unclassified. Dark data may result in significant compliance violations, and attackers who target dark data may be able to extract sensitive information without triggering security alarms.