Guardian investigations: how tech helps tackle big data … and big lawyers

Our head of investigations explains how a new IT system, Giant, has the power to find needles in journalistic haystacks

There aren’t too many places to hide at the Guardian. The offices are open-plan and most of the meeting rooms have glass walls.

There is one room, however, that has a special status. In recent years, when we have been involved in big investigations, this is the place where reporters and editors have relocated for months on end.