Influence of big data in managing cyber assets

Purpose: Today, Big Data plays an imperative role in the creation, maintenance and loss of cyber assets of organisations. Research in connection to Big Data and cyber asset management is embryonic. Using evidence, the purpose of this paper is to argue that asset management in the context of Big Data is punctuated by a variety of vulnerabilities that can only be estimated when characteristics of such assets like being intangible are adequately accounted for. Design/methodology/approach: Evidence for the study has been drawn from interviews of leaders of digital transformation projects in three organisations that are within the insurance industry, natural gas and oil, and manufacturing industries. Findings: By examining the extant literature, the authors traced the type of influence that Big Data has over asset management within organisations. In a context defined by variability and volume of data, it is unlikely that the authors will be going back to restricting data flows. The focus now for asset managing organisations would be to improve semantic processors to deal with the vast array of data in variable formats. Research limitations/implications: Data used as evidence for the study are based on interviews, as well as desk research. The use of real-time data along with the use of quantitative analysis could lead to insights that have hitherto eluded the research community. Originality/value: There is a serious dearth of the research in the context of innovative leadership in dealing with a threatened asset management space. Interpreting creative initiatives to deal with a variety of risks to data assets has clear value for a variety of audiences.