What are data silos?

Data silos refer to isolated databases or data storage systems that are not easily accessible or interlinked with other systems within an organization. This means that the data contained within these silos cannot be easily accessed, shared, or integrated with other datasets or applications. The existence of data silos often leads to inefficiencies, as stakeholders may need to go through extra steps to obtain data from these isolated locations. This scenario can hamper collaboration and data-driven decision-making across teams.

Having an integrated system that allows for shared access, as suggested in the first choice, contradicts the definition of data silos. Similarly, cloud storage solutions, while they can facilitate data sharing, do not inherently describe what data silos are, as data silos can exist in both cloud and on-premises environments. Temporary data storage solutions do not accurately capture the long-term isolation typically associated with data silos. Therefore, the chosen answer accurately represents the concept of data silos in the context of data engineering and management.