What is the main goal of data mining?

The main goal of data mining is to analyze data for patterns and opportunities. This process involves utilizing statistical and computational techniques to sift through large datasets to identify trends, correlations, and insights that may not be immediately apparent. By discovering these patterns, organizations can make data-driven decisions, enhance their strategic planning, and identify potential business opportunities.

Data mining goes beyond merely collecting or storing data. While efficient data storage is important, it is not the primary focus of data mining. Similarly, while protecting data from breaches is crucial for ensuring data integrity and security, it does not align with the objective of uncovering meaningful information from the data. Gathering data from social media can be part of the overall data collection process, but it does not encapsulate the essence of data mining, which is centered around the analysis and extraction of actionable insights from the data. Thus, the emphasis on analyzing data for patterns and opportunities is what makes this answer the most accurate representation of the goal of data mining.