What is Emerging Data?

Digital forensic expert Michael Khoury explains what emerging data is and where it comes from.

Emerging data is the new oil powering our digital economy. It refers to the vast volumes of information being generated from non-traditional data sources. Sources that are becoming increasingly intertwined with our daily personal and business lives.

Examples of emerging data sources:

Online collaboration tools – The multitude of conversations on Microsoft Teams or Zoom.
Cloud-based platforms – Files shared and stored in the cloud on Google Workspace or Dropbox.
Chat messaging apps – The endless chatter on WhatsApp or Slack.

All of this is what we describe as emerging data, which, when combined, is creating a tapestry of information that's rich but also very complex.

However, the volume, velocity and variety of emerging data sources is disrupting legal and regulatory compliance. Legal, risk and compliance, IT and security teams must adapt to an ever-changing data landscape.