"Adding intelligence to data is a growing trend today and a number of solutions are already in place to facilitate this"

Eric Hibbard believes that data security is a huge area of concern for most
companies today and automation would help address many vulnerabilities related
to data storage and security. He feels that organizations are looking for simple
and scalable solutions to address these needs and technologies like
virtualization will be the key to data management in the future. The market
opportunity in both these areas, he believes, is immense and countries like
India will certainly stand to benefit from it on a large scale.

What are the current trends pertaining to the storage and
security space globally?

Storage vendors have many issues to contend with. Security of data is a huge
concern. While attempting to address that need, vendors are beginning to realize
the importance of automation without introduction of vulnerabilities into the
stored data.

Adding intelligence to data is a growing trend today. We are
seeing the beginning of action in that direction and a number of solutions are
already in place. With data storage and security likely to face increased
competition in the coming days, people and organizations are looking for simple
and scalable solutions in that direction.

Eric Hibbard Senior Director, Data Networking Technology, Hitachi Data Systems

Another key area of concern is the requirement of
standardized tools that pertain to storage and data security. Still at a nascent
stage, this needs to grow in the future so as to ensure availability of safer
data and better storage. 

What are the biggest operational challenges for users in
data management?

Against the backdrop of increased data generation and varied security
challenges, there is a need for users to classify data in a proper manner. All
data generated is not equal. Users need to classify data segments that are
sensitive like personal and business information or data pertaining to national
security.

Once that is done, effective security packages can be devised
to protect the most critical data. These packages can be customized and relevant
training can be provided to the personnel handling the same. However,
classifying data is not an easy job and takes a lot of time. As of now, there is
no tool that can automatically undertake this exercise.  

In addition to loss of data, how would the increasing
security threats affect business in countries like India? How would Hitachi help
customers cope with the same?

Security concerns are huge and growing globally. In countries
like India, the concern would be greater because India is the destination for a
lot of outsourcing activity. Therefore clients are doubly concerned about the
security of the data that they share with their employees here. Organizations in
India have become increasingly concerned that any lapse in data security could
result in a pull back of business and are on the look out for solutions to
address those needs.

At Hitachi Data Systems, we understand this growing concern
and leverage global R&D resources to develop storage solutions built on
industry-leading technology with the performance, availability and scalability
to maximize customers' ROI and minimize their risk. The focus is on the
customer's perspective as we provide the best hardware, software, and services
to satisfy the customers' business needs. 

Given the growing concerns in data security, what are the
awareness levels in organizations? What kind of training would be required to
keep pace with rising demands?

Security is a growing concern and a huge challenge. Most organizations have
some kind of basic training and awareness in security. There is a need for
proper policies to ensure best practices in data storage and security.

Most security concerns are directly related to user behavior,
so users have to be sensitized and must realize the need for disciplined use of
data and practice the same. Banks and financial institutions across the globe
are well equipped to handle issues related to data security. Other verticals
like the energy sector however, still need to wake up. 

In addition to new products what are the measures that
Hitachi Data Systems undertakes to help its customers cope with the growing
challenges of data storage and security?

We have on offer a range of products that cater to the storage and security
needs of the user. We regularly interact with key enterprises to understand and
document their data protection and security needs. Additionally, we provide
technical guidance, requirements, and recommendations to customers in these
areas. 

We are working in conjunction with SNIA  - Storage
Networking Industry Association - which is an active association of vendors,
channel partners and end users who share a common interest in promoting the use
of networked and other aspects of information storage within the IT community,
to increase awareness about standardization of storage tools. Conducting
tutorials across the globe in this arena is also part of the same
exercise. 

What are the market opportunities in the storage and
security space?

Certainly as data generation increases, newer and better technologies for
data management are required. Technologies like virtualization will be the key
to data management in the future. At Hitachi Data systems we have in place a
virtualization tool, which does away with a lot of security concerns. Such
technologies will increasingly become popular and necessary in the future.

As far as security is concerned, increased awareness, proper
user behavior and better tools can go a long way in helping to keep valuable
data secure. As I see it, the market opportunity in both these areas is immense
and countries like India will certainly stand to benefit from it on a large
scale. 

BM Subbalakshmi