Patent attributes
Tracking lineage of data. A method may be practiced in a network computing environment including a plurality of interconnected systems where data is shared between the systems. A method includes accessing a dataset. The dataset is associated with lineage metadata. The lineage metadata includes data indicating the original source of the data, one or more intermediary entities that have performed operations on the dataset, and the nature of operations performed on the dataset. A first entity performs an operation on the dataset. As a result of performing a first operation on the dataset, the method includes updating the lineage metadata to indicate that the first entity performed the operation on the dataset. The method further includes providing functionality for determining if the lineage metadata has been compromised in that the lineage metadata has been at least one of removed from association with the dataset, is corrupted, or is incomplete.