Information Quality is becoming a critical issue in industry and government. There are now a number of information technology software and service companies such as Acxiom Corporation, Similarity Systems, Ascential Software Corporation, DataFlux Corporation, Informatica Corporation, and Business Objects Corporation, providing a wide array of information quality tools and services. In addition, many large and well recognized information technology and analytics companies such as Oracle Corporation, IBM, and SAS Institute, are establishing new lines of business around information quality solutions.
In the public sector, two federal mandates provided impetus for Information Quality. The Data Quality Act of 2001 (Section 515 of Public Law 106-554) requires the Office of Management and Budget to promulgate guidance to agencies ensuring the quality, objectivity, utility, and integrity of information (including statistical information) disseminated by Federal agencies. Similarly the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 places stringent auditing and reporting requirements on certain categories of information maintained by companies.
There is growing demand for individuals with a graduate education in Information Quality to fill the need for data quality analysts and data quality tools developments. We know there is a demand for highly trained individuals to staff upper-level management and executive Information Quality roles in industry and government such as the Department of National Intelligence, Environmental Protection Agency, and Housing and Urban Development. UA Little Rock graduates are meeting this demand and are ready to contribute to these information quality roles.
