Garbage in, garbage out (GIGO)

Garbage in, garbage out (GIGO) is a commonly used phrase in the field of computer programming and cybersecurity. It is used to describe the concept that a computer will only process quality information; if the input data is of poor quality, the output generated by the computer is likely to be flawed.

GIGO is a computer industry adage that was first coined in the 1960s by Walter Shewhart. The phrase is used to stress the importance of validating data before attempting to process it, as invalid data will lead to inaccurate results.

Modern GIGO always starts with the collection of data, which is often from a variety of sources. This data must then be checked for accuracy and completeness. Without the proper clean up, garbage data can be processed into a database using either an automated script or manual entry. This can lead to corrupt data, which can cause inaccurate results.

In the cybersecurity field, GIGO also applies to malicious input and output. Malware developers detect vulnerabilities in computer systems, exploiting them to gain access to confidential information. If the input data in this case is corrupted or malicious, output data can be altered and exploited by hackers for their own benefit.

GIGO best practices include verifying data composition and accuracy, as well as using proper security protocols to protect computer systems from malicious input. Quality assurance teams can verify the accuracy and reliability of the data before it is processed and output. Doing this ensures that the computer system is being used correctly and that the output is accurate.

In conclusion, GIGO is an important concept in the field of computer programming and cybersecurity. Quality input data yields quality output, so it is critical that data be cleansed and verified before being given to a computer system. Doing so ensures that the output is accurate and trustworthy.