Today, the terms data science and big data are no longer limited to the tech-savvy. Even the business world knows of these terminologies, as they have become increasingly become useful for businesses to grow and improve a hundredfold. Big data has been predicted to generate approximately a 60% increase globally. For the European government, this means that the administrators can save almost $150 billion just by utilizing big data.

This technology can extend to various other industries. Thus, for big and small-scale entrepreneurs, knowledge of how to use data science will keep you ahead of or at par with the competitive business world.

Data Science Defined

Data is just mere information that is spread through the Internet. The technical use of this data implies that it is collected in large amounts, integrated, and then classified according to the specific information that a person wants. It is the data scientists who gather these large sets of data, using their expert skills and algorithms to obtain the particular data for the client. This big data is usually utilized by large businesses that have the money to hire data scientists to perform the task of meticulously pulling out information for their enterprise.

However, as technological advances have become more accessible and affordable, there are tools that medium and small-sized businesses can now use to collect big data and equally provide them with the same opportunity of growing their business.

To elaborate on the explanation, here is an example.

Say you were a bank that wanted to create loan products that your clients are going to like, products and packages that can, of course, compete with the rival banks. You will utilize the data science to collect the information that you need – kinds of loans, loans that are popular to consumers, time of the year that loans are common, best loan qualities, and the classification of consumers who are more inclined to get a loan. You use this information to create or improve your loan products, and you promote them to specific groups. This helps your lending department and ultimately, your whole business to grow.

The Role Of The Data Scientist

Frequently, data scientists possess advanced skills and training in math, statistics, and computer science. They are also experienced and very competent data miners, data visualizers, and information managers. Lastly, they have a strong background in cloud computing, data warehousing, and infrastructure design.

These are the tasks of data scientists that make hiring them worth your time, risk, and money.

• They deliver products that are vital and relatable to consumers. Organizations can conveniently find where and when their products are most sellable. This makes it easier for companies to determine the right time to provide the appropriate products, thus helping businesses formulate new products or improve previous products to meet the consumer’s needs.
• They alleviate or reduce fraud. Data scientists are tasked to recognize relevant and crucial data that will attract the consumer’s attention. They generate networks and big data approaches that detect fraud, and they create alert systems that warn consumers when unfamiliar information is identified.
• They provide customized consumer experience. This is one of the most popular roles that make data scientists sought-after by businesses. The marketing and sales team is trained to understand their consumer on a more profound level. With this, the business undoubtedly has twice the edge over its competition.

Conclusion

Data scientists are today’s biggest heroes in the technological era. Businesses would be wise to take a risk and invest in data science for their enterprise to not only equal their rival but to rise above them.

Mental health professionals and neuroscientists across the globe are now utilizing machine learning to help create better treatment plans for their patients and to recognize essential markers for mental health problems even before they develop. That is probably one of the biggest reasons why this form of data science has increasingly risen to popularity – it’s capacity to assist clinicians in predicting individuals who have a higher likelihood of developing a mental health disorder.

There are so many sets of information available to us on mental health, yet we can gather all of this data in a way that mental health professionals can perform their jobs more efficiently. Decades ago, a diagnosis had to be based on statistics, and the overall average population who had the same medical problem. Today, because of machine learning, doctors and other clinicians are capable of personalizing their diagnosis. Machine learning has paved the way for changing the system of mental health through recognizing biomarkers, creating treatment plans, and predicting a crisis.

Recognizing Biomarkers And Creating Treatment Plans

Currently, a trial and error method is used when clinicians diagnose patients with a mental health condition. They need to do this to establish the proper dosage of medicine and to come up with the appropriate treatment plan. This trial and error shouldn’t exist, but then the truth is that one patient’s symptoms may not be present in another patient. Symptoms are almost always different for each patient.

The body does have not only physical biomarkers but also behavioral biomarkers as well for mental issues such as depression and anxiety, among others. And machine learning systems could help recognize these behavioral biomarkers to assist doctors and therapists in determining whether or not a patient is at risk of developing a mental health disorder. The system also helps track the potency of a particular treatment plan.

Thus, it is safe to say that each patient has his biologic makeup, reactions, and triggers to stress and other conditions like anxiety or panic. A lot of symptoms for mental health overlap each other, and though some of the key markers are already known, a trial and error regimen shouldn’t be acceptable. This is where machine learning comes in. It offers a ready opportunity for mental health professionals to recognize the subcategories of various illnesses and create a more customized treatment plan, including the dosages of the patient’s medications.

Predicting A Crisis

People need to get a good grasp of the reality that those who have specific mental conditions are naturally more inclined to having a crisis like psychosis, panic attacks, or manic episodes. Patients who have been diagnosed with a mental health illness are supervised to help them manage their activities of daily living. However, specific conditions like bipolar disorder or schizophrenia have a much higher likelihood of developing a crisis, and the mental healthcare team is accountable for reducing the risk of a crisis from happening.

Machine learning systems can help in this area by combining passive information derived from the media or smartphones and self-provided information to establish if the patient has a forthcoming attack or episode. Crises such as these can be predicted if clinicians have observed the patient experiencing stress or being exposed to his specific triggers.

Conclusion

The bottom line is that there are vivid markers of a forthcoming crisis or episode, and whether or not the patient has a confirmed diagnosis. Each of us has specific triggers as well as coping strategies, and crises can be inevitable. Through clearer biomarkers and more structured treatment plans made possible by machine learning, mental health professionals have a better way of helping their patients recover quickly and effectively.

Managing a business or company is not an easy thing to do, especially nowadays when issues on data security have become widespread. Unfortunately, many firms are suffering from the consequences of a data breach committed by its own employees. It can be threatening for a company owner like you who wants to continue earning big not only for yourself but also for your family.

Fortunately, there are also proven methods on how to eliminate the risks for the data security breach in the workplace. Make sure to learn these smart strategies:

Establish A Company Policy

The first thing that you have to do is to create a company policy concerning the rules to follow for all data security concerns. Lay down the principles or basis for the creation of the policy so that the employees will be informed. At the same time, be clear and concise in providing the list of potential violations as well as the consequences for each item. In so doing, the workers in your company will become more careful in processing and securing data.

Talk To An Expert

Understanding data breach and security can be challenging, which is why it is recommended to talk to an expert who can explain to you what it means. First of all, you have to accept the reality that there are some concepts under this topic that can be difficult to understand. Hence, you must always keep an open mind and learn how to accept tips and suggestions from the experts. Second, trust the capacity of the said professional to guide you on the proper things to do to maintain a high level of data security.

Conduct A Seminar

If your company has sufficient budget to hire a data security specialist, be sure to contact one as soon as possible. The said professional could help in reminding your employees about the dos and don’ts of securing the database of your company. The seminar will only take one whole day to complete, but the potential benefits can last for a long time. As such, do not hesitate to conduct a workshop for your workers wherein they will be taught how to prevent any breach to the database.

Update Your Servers

As much as possible, make an effort to update all your database servers regularly. Do not wait until the last minute to do this maintenance so that you can eliminate the security risks immediately. Remember that many hackers are now well equipped in stealing information from any server that they want to hack. Because of this, it is best if you will have a regular checkup on the servers to ensure that hackers cannot touch it.

Manage Your Main Admin Account

Another significant thing to keep in mind is to be vigilant in granting access to your main admin account. As much as possible, you must be the only one who can log in to the primary server account for your database. The primary purpose of doing this is to prevent other people from making changes, especially to shared accounts. With one mistake, all your data can be compromised. Avoid this from happening by limiting access to the main account.

Send Constant Reminder

Just because your employees are already aware of the dos and don’ts about data security does not mean that you will no longer remind them about such things. Remember that your employees have a lot of stuff going on in their day-to-day life at the office. As such, you must always remind them of their duty to be careful in accessing the database server. At the same time, tell them to follow simple rules such as avoiding clicking spam emails or visiting unsecured website.

Change Passwords Regularly

Usually, each employee has a particular set of login details that he can use in getting access to individual folders and files from the central database of your company. The nice thing about this feature is that it allows company owners to check the activities of each user account. Hence, it will be a lot easier on your part to determine which among the employees committed a breach in data security. As a preventive measure, it is best if you will create a system wherein the login details of each worker are changed regularly.

Conclusion

At this point, it is vital or crucial to note that data security is an essential component for the success of your firm. Make sure to find time in finalizing all the rules and regulations that must be followed to ensure that your database remains free from risks of the breach and other serious data problems. All these tasks may be exhausting to think about, but you will be surprised with how all of it can provide long-lasting benefits for your firm. Be smart in everything you do.

The availability of the Internet has provided several benefits to many people all over the world. Because of this latest advancement in the field of technology, everyone can already get connected easily or find relevant information in a snap of a finger. This fact tells us that the Internet is genuinely one of the best inventions in this modern society. However, this same invention can also result in some serious issues, especially when it comes to a breach of data.

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