July 2017 Seminar: The Implications of Blockchain for IM and KM Professionals
Summary
Blockchain is a word that is growing in usage – in both the IT and information management worlds. It is one of the most exciting and potentially game-changing technologies. But what is it and what does it mean? And as information professionals what do we need to know? What will be its impact on the management of information and knowledge?
This NetIKX session introduced the concept of Blockchain and how it is shaping the future of operations and data assets. It gave some background, from a technology and information management perspective, to a number of benefits, issues and possible applications of Blockchain. The session also showed a number of specific Blockchain projects that are being developed by The National Archives.
First Noeleen Schenk of Metataxis explained blockchain in terms of information governance and then Marc Stephenson, also of Metataxis, gave a technical overview. They were followed by John Sheridan and Mark Bell of The National Archives, who described a Blockchain project on which they are working.
Speakers
Noeleen Schenk has over twenty years’ experience of working in the information sector as a practitioner, researcher and consultant. Her recent projects have focused on all aspects of information and knowledge management – from governance to assurance, helping clients successfully manage their information and minimise the risk to their information assets. These projects include information security, information and data handling, information risk management, document and records management. In addition to working with clients, Noeleen is passionately interested in the constantly changing information and knowledge management landscape, the use of technology, and new ways of working – helping business identify critical changes, assess the opportunities then develop options and map out strategies to turn them into reality, taking advantage of the opportunities they present us.
Marc Stephenson is the Technical Director at Metataxis. Marc has worked on the design, implementation and ongoing management of information systems for over 25 years, including organisations in health, central and local government, banking, utilities, new media and publishing. He has architected and implemented many IT solutions, ranging from intranets, document management systems, records management systems, and ECM portals. Marc recognises the need to design solutions that deliver maximum benefit at minimal cost, by focusing on the business, users and crucially the information requirements, rather than unnecessary technology and functionality. Marc has a BSc in Computer Science, an MSc in Cognitive Science, and has been a Computer Science Research Fellow at Westminster University.
John Sheridan is the Digital Director at The National Archives, where he leads the development of the organisation’s digital archiving capability and the transformation of its digital services. John’s academic background is in mathematics and information technology, with a degree in Mathematics and Computer Science from the University of Southampton and a Master’s Degree in Information Technology from the University of Liverpool. John recently led, as Principal Investigator, an Arts and Humanities Research Council funded project, ‘big data for law’, exploring the application of data analytics to the statute book. More recently he helped shape the Archangel research project, led by the University of Surrey, looking at the applications of distributed ledger technology for archives. A former co-chair of the W3C e-Government Interest Group, John has a strong interest in web and data standards. He serves on the UK Government’s Open Standards Board, which sets data standards for use across government. John was an early pioneer of open data and remains active in that community.
Mark Bell is a member of The National Archives’ Digital Research team. Mark has over 20 years’ experience working with database technologies, both as developer and designer, including organisations in government, telecoms, and banking. At The National Archives Mark led the research for the Arts and Humanities Research Council funded project, ‘Traces Through Time’, tackling the challenges of identifying individuals in historical documents. His research interests also include Automated Text Recognition, and Distributed Ledger Technology, and he will be TNA’s lead researcher on the Archangel project.
Time and Venue
2pm on 6 July 2017, The British Dental Association, 64 Wimpole Street, London W1G 8YS
Pre Event Information
To be added, also tweet handle and blog link and study suggestion.
Slides
No slides available for this presentation
Tweets
Blog
See our blog report: The Implications of Blockchain
Study Suggestions
Information governance -can Blockchain be the answer?
Blockchain Technical Overview
Blockchain at TNA
PDF for these three articles to be linked here.
https://digiday.com/media/global-state-trust-media-5-charts/