Article : Data vs. Information By David E. Shock, Director, CAB Information Systems

Data Vs. Information

Since, we are dealing with information assurance or information security, we need to understand the difference between data and information.

Data are raw, individual facts or details from which information is derived - think of data as raw facts or numbers with no context whatsoever - such as 10011995. That datum could be a date of birth (10/01/1995) or the cost for a new bridge in a city ($10,011,995) or something entirely different.

Most pieces of data are not significant by themselves, but when combined with other organized data, conclusions and inferences can be made, leading to information. Another description of information is that it is useful and is derived or inferred from data.

As to working definitions of data and information, the International Standard Organization uses the following:

Data: (ISO) A representation of facts, concepts or instructions in a formalised manner suitable for communication, interpretation or processing by human beings or by automatic means. Letters, numbers, colours, symbols, shapes, temperatures, sound or other facts and figures are data suitable for processing.

Information: (ISO) The meaning that is applied to data by means of the conversions applied to that data, i.e., processed data.

Question?

1. Please come up with your own 1 example that illustrates the difference between data and information, and how the data in your example is/can be transformed into information.

2. Come up with a 2nd example that illustrates the difference between data and information, and how the data in your example is/can be transformed into information.

150 words and use refs.