This document provides an overview of big data, including its definition, origins, characteristics, importance, and opportunities and challenges. It describes big data as large volumes of diverse data that require new technologies and techniques to capture, curate, manage and process within a tolerable time. Big data is characterized by its volume, velocity and variety. Analyzing big data can provide benefits such as cost reductions, time reductions, new product development and smart decision making. It also discusses storing, processing and analyzing data at the edge of networks.