Data Infrastructure
In this section, we’ll introduce you to some key pieces of digital technology infrastructure that are important for managing data.
This isn’t an exhaustive list, but it offers a good overview of some of the technologies you may encounter when working with data.
Databases 
A database is an organized collection of data that is accessed and managed by database software tools. Databases are used by all kinds of organizations, including your bank, favourite online shopping sites, and mobile telephone providers, to keep track of customer and employee data, as well as tracking inventory and managing financial information.
There are many different types of databases, but the specific technical implementations are not usually important, other than to people like software developers or database programmers who access the database directly. You are much more likely to interact with a database using a specially designed software tool. For example, you can search and browse information about the entertainment industry using the IMDb website without needing to know anything about the underlying database that manages the information.
Is a database the same as an Excel spreadsheet?
No. There are similarities in the sense that a spreadsheet can be used to manage your data, however, databases can handle much more extensive collections of data and they allow multiple users to do complex data manipulation using sophisticated software tools. So, a database provides a lot more capabilities when it comes to managing and manipulating your data.
Internet Connectivity 
While the Internet is present in almost all parts of daily life, many people still struggle with limited connectivity, something that is especially true in rural communities.
What is broadband internet?
Broadband refers to wired high-speed internet access delivered to homes and places of business. The federal government has committed to connecting 98% of Canadians to high-speed internet by 2026 and 100% by 2030. The National Broadband Internet Service Availability Map shows the deployment of high-speed internet services across Canada.
What is 5G?
5G is the 5th generation mobile or cellular network - G stands for generation. It’s the most recent global wireless standard that was launched in 2019. Before 5G, there were 1G, 2G, 3G, and 4G networks. In Canada 1G-3G networks have been phased out, but there is still a significant amount of 4G technology in operation.
5G networks offer significantly faster data speeds, more reliability and improved availability, ultra-low latency (i.e. processing high volumes of media with minimal delay). As a result, 5G networks can support new services, like the Internet of Things (IoT) devices that were not possible on earlier, less capable networks.
In 2020, large telecommunication providers began rolling out 5G in major Canadian cities like Vancouver, Montreal, Calgary, Edmonton, and Toronto. As of May 2023, 5G coverage was available to over 70% of Canadians . You can view the 5G coverage map of various providers like Rogers , Bell and Telus online. It is predicted that by 2030, 6G networks will launch as a successor to 5G.
So why is high speed internet so important?
Your internet speed is based on how long it takes you to download and upload data, measured in megabits per second (Mbps) and gigabits per second (Gbps). To determine your internet speed you can try these free services:
For an average user, a good download speed can be between 25- 100 Mbps, and a good upload speed can be between around 5-20 Mbps.
When internet speeds are low, it can cause a lot of frustration. Slow speed internet connections can disrupt everyday tasks (e.g. email) and can limit the use of data-rich applications (e.g. streaming videos). The fact is that slow internet means less productivity, higher levels of user frustration, and potentially loss of revenue for businesses.
The Cloud 
Cloud computing, sometimes simply referred to as ‘the Cloud’, refers to data storage and compute resources that are available over the Internet. Before the development of cloud computing resources, you were only able to store and process data on your computer’s hard drive.
Typical examples of cloud storage services include Google Drive , Dropbox , and Microsoft One Drive . If you were to save a document on your computer’s hard drive, you would not be able to access it when you are away from your computer. The Cloud enables you to access your documents, or data, from anywhere.
Although you may not access them directly, cloud computing services beyond storage are also available including Microsoft Azure , Amazon AWS and Google Cloud . These cloud services are used to power most of the Internet sites and services we use on a daily basis.
Internet of Things - IoT 
The Internet of Things, or IoT, is a network of physical objects that are able to connect to the internet using embedded electronics, software, sensors, and more. This allows all of these objects to collect and exchange data.
Examples of IoT
Do you wear a fitness tracker, like a FitBit or Apple Watch?
Do you wear a fitness tracker, like a FitBit or Apple Watch? 
Do you have a smart doorbell, or an internet connected security system?
Do you have a smart doorbell, or an internet connected security system? 
Do you use a smart thermostat to control the temperature of your home?
Do you use a smart thermostat to control the temperature of your home? 
On the farm, does any of your machinery upload data directly to a farm management system?
On the farm, does any of your machinery upload data directly to a farm management system?
These are all uses of IoT! IoT devices connect the digital and physical worlds. They play an important role in making it easier and cheaper to connect data.
Next: 📈The Data Lifecycle
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