Licensing

Understanding GIS Basemaps and Their Legal Restrictions Geographic Information System (GIS) basemaps are foundational maps consisting of reference features such as roads, landmarks, and political boundaries used to provide context for overlaying spatial data layers. Basemaps utilize data sourced from satellite imagery, GPS devices, digitized maps, government agencies, and field observations. Sources of basemap data…

Expanding Access to Location Data As geographic information systems (GIS) become more sophisticated and location-enabled devices more ubiquitous, the amount of geographic data available is rapidly expanding. This creates tremendous opportunities for spatial analysis to inform decisions, but also risks to individual privacy and ethical pitfalls if not handled carefully. Balancing open data with privacy…

The Widening GIS Skills Gap Geographic information systems (GIS) have become an integral technology across many industries. As GIS continues to evolve and expand into new applications, demand for skilled GIS professionals grows every year. However, there is a major gap between the increasing need for GIS expertise and the availability of professionals with the…

Geographic information systems (GIS) have become an integral technology across many industries. As GIS continues to expand into more areas, demand for qualified GIS professionals is far outpacing supply. This growing skills gap threatens to limit the potential of GIS and stunt progress in sectors relying on spatial data and analysis. Addressing the shortage of…

Respecting Privacy When Collecting Spatial Data The collection of geographic information system (GIS) data that contains personal information has raised increasing concerns over locational privacy. Spatial data analytics now allow individuals to be identified from locations and movement patterns. Additional privacy risks come from combining GIS data with other datasets. Organizations need safeguards to prevent…