The CompTIA Tech+ Study Guide classifies critical data as essential information that organizations depend on for daily functioning:
"Critical data is information without which an organization cannot function effectively. Examples include customer records, transaction data, and operational databases. The loss or corruption of such data can significantly impact business continuity." This type of data differs from "big data," which refers to massive data sets used for analytics, and from
"monetized data," which refers to data sold or used for financial gain.
Verified Reference:
* Chapter 12: Data Continuity and Computer Support - "Understanding Data Importance and Critical Data" (pp. 619-621).