The File Is Dead: Long Live the Database

Recent data breaches, like the UK Ministry of Defence incident, highlight the persistent problem of file-based data sharing. The author argues this outdated practice stems from a deeply ingrained 'file' mentality, incompatible with modern collaboration tools and database technology. The piece calls for abandoning file sharing in favor of database-centric data management for improved security and efficiency. It uses the analogy of a car designed to carry hay to illustrate how modern computing remains stuck in the past.