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How To Navigate Modern Data Security Challenges In The Hybrid Cloud Era

Written by Greg LaBrie | Jan 16, 2024 1:45:00 PM

Every organization relies on data, and it’s crucial to keep it safe, recoverable, and secure. When it comes to data security, organizations act like vigilant guardians protecting a treasure. To shield against threats like ransomware and hardware failures, they continuously upgrade hardware and software and analyze methods to improve systems and backups. Research suggests that the best way to reduce hidden threats is by using technologies that automate infrastructure checks and implementing network segmentation.

In addressing data protection, various approaches are adopted by organizations. Some prioritize continuous monitoring, others opt for the integration of advanced security architectures, and some choose to augment their teams and centralize security decision-making. Despite the effectiveness of these strategies, challenges persist in securing data within hybrid cloud environments. This article aims to explore how to best bridge the existing security gap by securing data and hybrid cloud.

Challenges In Data And Cloud Security

Traditional data protection means copying the data that changed in various production environments during off-peak hours and storing that copy in a secondary location. The limitations of daily backups pose the following challenges:

  • Outdated copies can hinder quick recovery, especially during times of cyber-attacks or natural disasters.
  • Costly backup management.
  • Shortages in competent and experienced IT security personnel.
  • Difficulty in meeting regulatory requirements.

With data being generated at lightning speed, businesses must update their protection strategies to ensure efficient data safeguarding and recovery. To minimize concealed threats, it is essential to embrace technologies such as cloud environments, automated infrastructure, and network segmentation.

Research shows a growing inclination towards adopting zero trust and Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) architectures to handle vulnerabilities and user access. Prioritizing data safety demands robust measures for protection, recoverability, and security. In the face of these developments, businesses are urged to adapt swiftly and modernize their approaches for comprehensive data management.

Using Backups For Data And Cloud Security

As more organizations amplify their security measures and migrate to the cloud, more than 90% leverage the cloud for data protection. IDC predicts that by 2025, 55% of organizations will adopt a cloud-centric data protection strategy. There are several ways to boost data security, and one of the fastest-growing data protection solutions that businesses can utilize is Backup-as-a-Service (BaaS).

Driven by an increase in cloud-related spending and new cloud application deployments, BaaS solutions range from “do it yourself” options to more full-service options.

BaaS solutions have multiple benefits, including:

  • Lower operational costs
  • Scalability
  • Ease of use
  • Data security
  • Disaster recovery
  • Reduction of backup windows and reusing backups for other tasks
  • Provision of automated reporting, monitoring, and management.

Moreover, BaaS integrates with other cloud services, such as analytics, archiving, and content delivery.

Hewlett Packard Enterprise responds to the demand for BaaS and addressing modern cybersecurity challenges through HPE GreenLake for Data Protection. Expanding their focus on storage software and data management, one notable offering is HPE GreenLake for Backup and Recovery.

Reasons To Choose HPE GreenLake For Backup And Recovery

HPE GreenLake for Backup and Recovery is crafted for hybrid clouds, streamlining protection across diverse storage in such settings. It caters to administrators managing on-premises and cloud workloads, ensuring fast data recovery, consistent backup and encryption, and seamless restoration of operations. This bridges the security gap between on-prem and cloud environments.

The service delivers the following benefits to your IT infrastructure:

  1. Simplified protection and enhanced security measures delivered as SaaS. This approach removes the complexity of managing various components traditionally associated with backup servers. HPE also manages the entire backup environment, including updates and new functionalities.
  2. The Global Protection Policy guarantees uniform protection for organizational policies across on-premises, cloud, and hybrid workloads.
  3. Integration and comprehensive data management with various HPE edge-to-cloud services such as HPE StoreOnce systems, HPE GreenLake, and HPE GreenLake for Private Cloud Business Edition.
  4. Data protection which extends to various storage solutions like HPE GreenLake for Block Storage, HPE Alletra, HPE Nimble Storage, and HPE Primera.
  5. Ease of operation via a secure, single cloud console. This addresses security concerns with built-in encryption, backup data immutability, and dual authorization.
  6. A consumption-based, pay-as-you-go model, which eliminates the need for upfront investment. 

Originally designed for VMware virtual machines (VMs), the service has now expanded its protection to include Amazon EBS volumes and EC2 instances. This broader coverage makes HPE GreenLake for Backup and Recovery a dependable BaaS solution suitable for any organization.

Final Thoughts

Effective data protection is crucial. The cloud, particularly in hybrid architectures, is emerging as the primary platform for safeguarding data. This trend aligns seamlessly with cloud-based data protection, such as BaaS. IT managers seek to unify data protection across application platforms, and outsourcing routine tasks through BaaS can empower teams to prioritize essential business activities.

WEI offers expert guidance on data protection solutions tailored to your organization’s needs. Pay-as-you-go solutions like HPE GreenLake for Backup and Recovery ensure reliable protection and seamless integration into broader frameworks to simplify your operations. Contact our team for information on implementing an effective data protection strategy for your business.


Next Steps: As you begin preparing your enterprise for the move to the hybrid cloud, you’ll want to make sure you don’t miss any critical steps. Download and read our free and informative checklist, “Preparing Your Data Center for the Hybrid Cloud” now.