What Are Orphan Data?

Orphaned data refers to data that is no longer associated with a corresponding record or entity in a database, data storage or other information system. This situation typically arises when a record, file, or object is deleted, but the associated data remains in the system without a proper link to a parent entity. Orphaned data can lead to various issues, including data inconsistency, inefficiency in storage usage, and potential challenges in data maintenance and retrieval.

One of the most popular Komprise prebuilt reports, the Orphaned Data report shows metrics on data from ex-employees – sometimes referred to as “zombie data” or “unowned data.”

Most organizations have no idea how much orphaned data they have nor how much it is costing them, which is both a cost liability and a potential compliance issue if the organization has policies on deleting ex-employee data.

The Komprise Orphaned Data report shows the amount and cost of orphaned data and lists the top 10 shares with orphaned data by size. The report also recommends actionable steps to reduce these costs.

What are some of the characteristics and considerations related to orphaned data?

• Deletion of Parent Records: Orphaned data often occurs when a parent record or entity is deleted from a database, but the associated child data is not properly removed or updated.
• Incomplete Data Relationships: Orphaned data indicates incomplete or broken relationships between data elements within a database or system.
• Database Integrity Issues: Orphaned data can compromise database integrity, as it may violate referential integrity constraints that define relationships between tables.
• Storage Inefficiency: Orphaned data occupies data storage space without contributing to the meaningful content or structure of the database or data storage device, leading to inefficient use of storage resources and high data storage costs.
• Data Cleanup Challenges: Identifying and cleaning up orphaned data can be challenging, especially in large and complex databases. Automated tools and careful database maintenance practices are often necessary.
• Impact on Data Quality: Orphaned data can contribute to data quality issues, as it may lead to inconsistencies and inaccuracies when querying or analyzing information.
• Data Retrieval Difficulties: Retrieving relevant information from a database with orphaned data can be problematic, as the disconnected data (often trapped in data silos) may not be readily accessible or associated with the desired context.
• Prevention and Cleanup Strategies: Database administrators often implement strategies to prevent orphaned data, such as using cascading delete operations or triggers to ensure that child records are appropriately handled when parent records are deleted. Data storage administrators are increasingly replying upon unstructured data management solutions to provide visibility and actionable insights. Regular data audits and cleanup processes are essential to identify and address orphaned data.
• Application Development Considerations: When designing database schemas and developing applications, it’s crucial to implement robust data management practices to avoid orphaned data scenarios.

Source: komprise.com