NetApp Approach to Data Discovery

From MIKE2 Methodology

Data Retention Solutions

Minimize the risk posed by unmanaged files.

Consumer-facing businesses deal with the data for hundreds of millions of customers everyday. A single credit card network processes more than 3,700 payment transactions every second during peak holiday seasons. Names, addresses, telephone numbers, social security numbers, and account information fly around corporate networks constantly.

Personal productivity tools have created an explosion of the number of ad hoc files in unmanaged file systems across the enterprise. Many internal networks now have as many files as there were on the entire Internet only five years ago. Many of these files have piled up over years as expansion capacity became an inexpensive solution to growing demand. But, shrinking IT budgets and a growing number of regulations demand a more effective file management solution.

Solution: Monitor Your Data and Manage It

The NetApp Information Server IS1200 offers a two-phase approach for automatically applying corporate information governance policies to a network. The Information Server IS1200 is a file management appliance that is designed to minimize the risk posed by unmanaged files.

The Information Server scans millions of files on networked storage and can identify privacy and compliance exposures.

In addition to flagging problem files, the Information Server can move, copy, or delete those files based on specific corporate policies—move privacy data to an encrypted storage device, for example, or send key corporate records into a secure archive.

The IS1200 also automates compliance enforcement. Based on metadata and file management policies, the Information Server can copy or move files into appropriate devices, or delete them from the network altogether. Using the policy engine, organizations can choose which files to archive and select the storage location. The IS1200 supports WORM storage devices such as NetApp NearStore™ with SnapLock™ or EMC Centera™. Regulated information can be moved into protected storage and retained for mandated time periods. The IS1200 also works with encryption devices so that files can be classified, encrypted and retained.

NetApp and Decru have teamed and integrated their two award winning products, the NetApp Information Server and Decru DataFort™ security appliance to help organizations identify hidden privacy exposures, inappropriate content, and non-public information which can expose companies to lawsuits, fines, or intellectual property theft.