Big data - the practice of analyzing large data sets - is increasingly driving value creation in organizations across all industries.

Over the past five years, the world has witnessed an unprecedented explosion of digitized data, which is often referred to as "big data." Its potential remains alluring - and largely untapped. The data opportunity is like a diamond mine, mostly littered with rocks and dirt, but with enough gems peeking out to attract those unafraid of the hard work needed to sift through it.