The Real Worth Comes From the Ability To Link, Comprehend, and Utilise It at the Appropriate Moment
Petr Vancl Hochberger leads Business Development and Marketing at TOVEK, a company specialising in creating advanced tools for efficient information management. Leveraging his expertise in analytics and strategic management, he assists companies and public institutions in converting scattered data into valuable knowledge. His aim is to reinforce TOVEK’s status as a leader in data discovery and analysis while offering strong support to international partners.
Professionally handling data is fundamental to a successful manager’s role. What specific tools or solutions have you developed to enhance data management in this regard?
Throughout my career, ranging from analytical roles to NATO’s top military headquarters and now at Tovek, I have observed a paradox. Organisations allocate significant funds toward specialised systems like CRM, DMS, ERP, email clients, and databases, yet they frequently overlook the essential aspect: the capability to search this data efficiently.
Companies possess vast amounts of information spread across various systems and departments. When managers seek a comprehensive understanding of a problem, they encounter fragmented data and complicated tracking processes.
I witnessed a similar issue at the NATO Headquarters in Belgium. My immediate superior, a Norwegian general, had two British officers who prepared documents for him. At the time, NATO lacked a unified search capability, which might still be the case. These skilled individuals often spend hours on the phone and searching the internet without success – despite being in an environment where timely and precise information can be crucial for saving lives.
The commercial sector faces a similar challenge. Managers are not required to delve as deeply as analysts, but they need to swiftly connect pieces of seemingly unrelated information to derive meaningful insights. Our solution is specifically designed to enable this capability.
Our technology functions as a “universal search engine” by connecting information across various systems to locate what a manager truly needs quickly and accurately. Whether the data is in CRM systems, DMS, emails, or stored documents, our tool makes it easy to access and utilise this information effectively.
The actual value lies not in the data itself but in the ability to access the right information precisely when it is needed. That is what we provide to our customers precisely.
Dealing with data and information in public administration is not always efficient. You provide an OSINT tool as a platform. What should a potential client envision with this solution?
OSINT (Open Source Intelligence) involves utilising publicly accessible information. While many people picture an analyst browsing business directories or social media, that is just the basics. Our OSINT platform extends well beyond this.
With our solution, companies can efficiently verify information about job applicants, business partners, or suppliers while adhering to GDPR regulations. Rather than relying on time-consuming manual searches, we offer automated and structured searches that uncover hidden connections.
A key advantage of OSINT is its ability to prevent risks. For instance, it can identify early changes in a supplier’s ownership structure or connections to questionable entities. Are you aware of the true owners? Our systems frequently detect risks well before they become visible “on the surface”, helping you avoid unpleasant surprises.
Our company monitoring solution is highly sought after. If your critical supplier changes their address, appoints a new statutory representative, or is listed in the insolvency register, you will be informed promptly. This enables you to respond swiftly and also helps you comply with NIS2 requirements, should they apply to you.
In essence, using our tool for OSINT is not merely about gathering information – it is about managing risk proactively and gaining an advantage in decision-making.
You claim that “data is the new oil”. Do you believe that GDPR and NIS2 are the proper frameworks for managing this vital data responsibly?
When we say that data is the new oil, it is not just a phrase. Similar to how oil revolutionised the 20th century, data is radically altering the 21st century. However, much like oil, data needs to be extracted, processed, and managed responsibly; otherwise, it can turn into a liability instead of an asset.
GDPR and NIS2 are important steps towards more responsible data management. However, many organisations perceive them as bureaucratic hurdles rather than opportunities to improve information management. These regulations require practices that every organisation should automatically follow – such as having clear visibility of their data, knowing where it is stored, and identifying who has access to it.
Our technology assists companies in not only complying with these regulations but also, more importantly, in using data efficiently. We automatically identify documents that contain personal data or sensitive information, enabling organisations to have control over the location of that data and ensuring it is adequately protected.
For instance, a compliance audit using our solution quickly uncovers where employees store customers’ personal data, significantly reducing the risk of data leaks and potential penalties from regulators.
GDPR and NIS2 represent a crucial path toward responsible data management, but organisations must not see them merely as burdensome requirements. Simply relying on regulation will not be enough to safeguard against data leaks.
So-called fake news is spreading through the world of information. How can we ensure the accuracy of data, and what role will AI play in this process?
At Tovek, we do not believe that we should determine what is true and what is not. Our role is to provide tools to efficiently find and link information from different sources. The veracity of information should always be verified by the user.
At Tovek, we do not see it as our place to decide what is true or false. Instead, our goal is to offer tools that help users efficiently discover and connect information from various sources. It is up to the user to verify the accuracy of the information they find.
Our philosophy is simple: we guarantee that if you use the appropriate query, you will receive accurate results from all the sources linked through our solution. It is then up to the analyst or user to assess the credibility of these sources.
We approach the use of artificial intelligence carefully. Models like ChatGPT can produce content that appears convincing but frequently includes errors. These technologies rely on statistical probabilities rather than factual correctness.
That is why at Tovek, we mainly utilise AI as a tool to assist in handling large amounts of data rather than relying on it to determine what is true.
The key to effectively handling data in an age where distinguishing fact from fiction is becoming more challenging lies in combining high-quality information processing tools, analytical skills, and critical thinking. Ultimately, users must have tools that assist them in managing the overwhelming flow of information and evaluating its truthfulness accurately.
Thank you for the interview.
