Tableau Prep: Up & Running

Chapter 44. Managing Data

Data management and information security are growing focus areas for consumers and companies. This chapter is not a guide on what the laws are (or are not), but rather will highlight the areas that most Prep Builder users should consider. After learning about the types of sensitive data you may come across, you’ll be better equipped to handle and use the data correctly. This chapter will also cover when and why you may wish to delete data.

Throughout this book, you may have picked up on the fact that I support the use of data and data proliferation. This is because I have seen many organizations lock down data access so much that it becomes impossible to make data-driven decisions, either due to the lack of data or lack of practical experience working with it once it does become available. This is not to say that you should be reckless with data access, but preventing data use altogether can cause consumers to make poor, even harmful, “gut instinct” decisions.

What Is Sensitive Data?

Data sensitivity is measured in many different ways depending on the organization, the sector in which it operates, and the data’s subject matter. Most data is categorized by its sensitivity—that is, the extent to which the accidental or purposeful release of this data would cause issues (legal or otherwise) for the organization that owns the data or the subjects of the data. Typically, there are about three to five levels of data security. This section will describe four ...