In response to the growing threats revealed in TechTarget’s Enterprise Group Strategy Report, IBM introduced AI-enhanced versions of its FlashCore Module technology. It is embedded within new IBM Storage FlashSystem products. Additionally, a new iteration of IBM Storage Defender software aims to bolster organizations’ capabilities in detecting and responding to ransomware and other cyber threats.
The 2024 IBM X-Force Threat Intelligence Index underscores the evolving threat landscape, especially with the maturation of generative AI, which could open new avenues for cybercriminals. In November 2023, TechTarget’s Enterprise Strategy Group report revealed that ransomware ranks among the top five threats to 89% of organizations, highlighting the gravity of cyberattacks. Alongside ransomware, insider threats, data exfiltration, hardware failures, and natural disasters are significant risks to corporate data integrity. As the report highlights, enterprises must recognize their underlying infrastructure as a potential vulnerability attackers exploit.
The latest fourth-generation FlashCore Module (FCM) technology integrates artificial intelligence functionalities into the IBM Storage FlashSystem lineup. Collaborating with Storage Defender, FCM ensures comprehensive data resilience across primary and secondary workloads, leveraging AI-driven sensors for early threat detection and expedited recovery processes.
Advanced Surveillance for Data Streams Threats
Incorporating advanced technology, existing IBM FlashSystem products meticulously analyze incoming data at the block level without compromising performance. Through inline data corruption detection software and cloud-based AI, these systems pinpoint anomalies that could signify the onset of a cyberattack. This proactive approach enables swift detection, response, and recovery, leveraging immutable copies.
The introduction of FCM4 technology marks a significant advancement, enabling continuous monitoring of data streams. Utilizing machine learning models, FCM4 swiftly identifies abnormalities, such as ransomware, in less than a minute.
“Rapidly evolving cyber threats underscore the importance of early detection in our clients’ defense strategies. Leveraging IBM FlashSystem and FCM3, clients have achieved prompt recovery. With FCM4 in new FlashSystem arrays, immediate action against threats is anticipated.”- DANEYAND “DJ” SINGLEY, Executive Director at MAPSYS
IBM FlashSystem products assess data parameters and relay information to IBM Storage Insights software, alerting operators to workload irregularities, such as ransomware encryption. FCM4 technology enhances this capability, providing real-time, detailed statistics on every I/O operation. Through machine learning, FlashSystem distinguishes malicious activity from normal behavior, empowering organizations to respond effectively during cyberattacks.
“Combatting ransomware requires a multi-layered defense approach. IBM’s FlashCore Module 4 integrates AI-based features to expedite ransomware detection, mitigate its impact, and facilitate swift recovery.”- DAVE PEARSON, Research VP, Infrastructure, IDC
Enhanced Threat Identification Across Workloads
In modern hybrid multi-cloud IT environments, IBM Storage Defender software delivers comprehensive data resilience, covering virtual machines (VMs), databases, applications, file systems, SaaS workloads, and containers. The latest iteration of IBM Storage Defender expands its threat detection capabilities, establishing the reliability of copies as a foundational step for recovery post-cyberattacks. Equipped with AI-powered sensors developed by IBM Research, Storage Defender swiftly identifies ransomware and other advanced threats with precision, generating high-fidelity alerts to minimize the impact of security breaches and aid in recovery efforts.
New features in IBM Storage Defender include workload and storage inventory management functionalities, empowering organizations to evaluate the scope of their applications and data. This facilitates the incorporation of assets into business continuity plans, ensuring the ability to restore essential operations following a cyberattack. Additionally, Defender streamlines the orchestration and automation of VMware application recovery processes.
One of Defender’s key strengths lies in its seamless integration with various IBM Storage and IBM Security solutions, such as IBM QRadar, IBM Guardium, IBM FlashSystem, IBM Storage Scale, IBM Storage Ceph, and IBM Fusion. Beyond IBM’s ecosystem, Defender collaborates with Cohesity and plans to integrate with other third-party data platforms, offering end-to-end data resilience solutions across the enterprise data landscape.
Optimizing Data Resilience Through Integration
Combining the strengths of FlashSystem and Defender enhances organizations’ data resilience. Storage administrators can now create protection groups, automating backups of specific volumes according to predefined policies. Immutable data copies can be restored to multiple locations, offering flexibility in recovery post-cyber attack. Furthermore, these copies can be replicated to another IBM Storage Defender cluster for added security.
Newly engineered settings facilitate the automated creation of Safeguarded Copy snapshots, ensuring cyber-resilient point-in-time data copies are immune to alteration or deletion. This isolation from production data expedites data recovery in the event of loss.
FlashCore Module hardware and Storage Defender software leverage IBM’s AI capabilities for enhanced defense in response to the rise of AI-based cyberattacks. IBM’s comprehensive product portfolio aims to provide robust data resilience solutions to clients, including prominent financial and healthcare organizations, bolstering prevention efforts and expediting recovery processes when threats arise.
FAQs
1. What is IBM Storage Defender?
IBM Storage Defender is software that enhances data resilience by providing comprehensive threat detection and response capabilities, particularly against cyberattacks like ransomware.
2. How does the integration of FlashSystem and Storage Defender benefit organizations?
Integrating FlashSystem and Storage Defender offers a synergistic approach to data resilience. It allows for automated backups, flexible data recovery options, and the creation of immutable data copies, all of which contribute to better protection against cyber threats.
3. What are protection groups in FlashSystem, and how do they work with Storage Defender?
Protection groups in FlashSystem enable storage administrators to group specific volumes and automate their backups based on user-defined policies. These protection groups contribute to more efficient threat detection and recovery processes when integrated with Storage Defender.
4. What are immutable data copies, and why are they important?
Immutable data copies are copies of data that cannot be altered or deleted. They serve as crucial backups, particularly in cyberattacks, ensuring that organizations can recover their data intact even if the primary data is compromised.
5. How does Storage Defender assist in automating data recovery processes?
Storage Defender offers features such as Safeguarded Copy snapshots and resilient point-in-time data copies immune to alteration or deletion. Storage Defender accelerates the data recovery process by automating the creation of these snapshots and isolating them from production data.
6. How does IBM leverage AI capabilities in FlashSystem and Storage Defender?
IBM incorporates AI capabilities into FlashSystem hardware and Storage Defender software to enhance threat detection and response. These AI-powered tools enable organizations to combat better evolving cyber threats, including those driven by artificial intelligence.
7. What industries can benefit from IBM’s data resilience solutions?
IBM’s data resilience solutions cater to various industries, including finance and healthcare, where data protection and compliance are paramount. Organizations across various sectors can leverage these solutions to safeguard their critical data assets.
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