By June Ramli
Hunter Valley, Aug 12: Data has transitioned from being a transactional byproduct to a key asset, offering immense value to companies.
Today, the focus is on unlocking this value, whether data is stored on-premises, in the cloud, or within hybrid environments.
Real-time access to data drives business benefits, but it also demands strong security and proper management.
Australia is embracing AI, with businesses exploring its applications and investing in infrastructure to support these evolving strategies.
As companies move towards hybrid cloud environments, a trend of “repatriation” has emerged, driven by data privacy concerns and the need for control over intellectual property.
NetApp is building its AI talent pool through initiatives like the Academy, helping customers manage massive data volumes essential for AI projects.
Sustainability is also key, as companies consider the environmental impact of storing vast amounts of data for AI training.
The focus is on providing energy-efficient data infrastructure that balances innovation with sustainability.
However, businesses face challenges in balancing innovation, efficiency, and security.
AI projects often fail due to data accessibility issues, and managing growing data volumes is increasingly complex.
Security has shifted to a data-centric focus, with the goal of protecting data throughout its lifecycle without compromising efficiency or driving up costs.
Navigating this complex landscape requires a strong data foundation that supports business goals while managing risks and costs.
Newly appointed NetApp Managing Director, Mark Fioretto, was also at the conference.
With the right tools and infrastructure, companies can unlock the full potential of their data securely, efficiently, and sustainably.
NetApp is also stepping up to address the complexities of managing hybrid and multi-cloud environments, offering a unified control plane that ensures seamless operations across diverse ecosystems.
Chris Gondek, Data Intelligence Expert at NetApp Australia & New Zealand, shared insights into how the company is enabling organisations to navigate these challenges through innovative solutions.
One of the primary challenges in hybrid cloud, and extending into hybrid multi-cloud, is the diverse ecosystems and user experiences.
Gondek explained, “We start with what we call our BlueXP user experience. It’s a single control plane with sophisticated APIs behind it, allowing us to operate our technology simultaneously across all environments. There’s no change to the user experience, and the portfolio and its features apply uniformly.”
In an exclusive interview with DailyStraits.com, during the TechLeaders 2024 conference in Hunter Valley, Gondek also highlighted the recent innovations NetApp has introduced in data storage, particularly around performance, efficiency, and security.
“We’ve introduced autonomous ransomware protection, which is built into the storage. It automatically detects and responds to cyber threats. When a threat is detected, we create a tamper-proof snapshot that is indelible and requires multiple admins to remove it. This feature backs our ransomware recovery guarantee,” Gondek explained.
Moreover, NetApp’s approach to security extends beyond just technology.
“We provide not just the technology but the reassurance that businesses have cyber resiliency built into their storage,” Gondek said.
“From an efficiency perspective, we’re leveraging AI analysis to optimise data storage, using the latest Intel CPUs to offload compression workloads into hardware, resulting in faster performance and better efficiency.”
When it comes to compliance with global data laws, NetApp is ahead of the curve.
Gondek discussed how the company ensures compliance while maintaining robust data security across cloud environments.
“Global data laws vary by country, but it all boils down to identifying and classifying data. We provide data classification capabilities that help identify what data is being stored, whether on-premises or in the cloud. Once classified, this data can be categorised and managed according to compliance requirements.”
NetApp’s AI and machine learning capabilities are central to their strategy, enhancing both security and compliance.
“We’re using AI for data classification, detecting anomalous behaviour, and securing data through automated snapshots. This is in addition to our regular data protection activities,” Gondek noted.
As ransomware threats grow, Gondek emphasised the importance of a comprehensive cyber resiliency strategy.
“The biggest cyber threats now are often internal, like rogue admins or compromised user accounts. We need a cohesive approach that includes detection, rapid recovery, and ensuring multiple security principles are involved in any destructive activity. Our focus is on providing not just network-centric security but also data-centric security.”
NetApp’s innovations and strategic focus on hybrid cloud environments and cybersecurity underscore their commitment to helping organisations manage and optimise their cloud strategies effectively.
“Our storage solutions are omnipresent—no matter where you find us, the experience is consistent,” Gondek concluded.
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