The News: CTERA announced the launch of a new cyber resiliency functionality called CTERA Vault. The Vault feature adds Write Once Read Many (WORM) functionality to provide immutable data. More information can be found in the Press Release available on the CTERA website.
CTERA Vault Bolsters Cyber Resiliency and Compliance
Analyst Take: The latest announcement from CTERA introduces a new capability for the global file system platform: CTERA Vault. The CTERA Vault feature provides the ability to store data in an immutable fashion, known as Write Once Read Many (WORM). The addition of WORM immutability provides a big boost to the data protection and cyber resiliency capabilities of the CTERA Enterprise Files Services Platform.
The Vault solution announced by CTERA provides the capability to create WORM Cloud Folders with added flexibility to set custom retention periods. The Vault solution is managed through the centralized CTERA Portal.
Data immutability is a highly sought after capability in many environments, specifically for data resiliency, data protection, and regulatory compliance requirements. WORM-designated data copies, such as those created with CTERA Vault, apply retention periods with role-based control to inhibit modifying or otherwise tampering with the data. From this regard, WORM lock capabilities are a standard best practice for ensuring data integrity in the face of rising cyberattacks such as ransomware. It is also an important checkbox for meeting certain compliance regulations.
WORM Protection Boosts Data Protection
Although WORM protection is not new, it continues to grow in importance given the growing onslaught of ransomware attacks – a major concern to not only IT organizations but also the high ranks of C-Suite executives. As attackers continue to find new ways to penetrate the backup environment to force ransom payments, WORM technology offers protection by reducing the ability for malicious actors to tamper with or corrupt data.
The addition of WORM immutability to CTERA’s Enterprise Files Services Platform provides a significant boost to the data protection and cyber resiliency benefits of CTERA’s offering. Global file systems as a technology present several distinct benefits including promoting remote collaboration, high scalability, cost optimization, and multicloud or hybrid cloud support. An additional advantage to using a global file system such as CTERA is built-in data protection capabilities – with the most recent example being the newly added WORM immutability. It is important to note that, as with any WORM storage solution, it is a best practice for IT operations to carefully control who can shorten or remove WORM holds. This benefit is further realized as the offering now adds additional cyber resilience against attacks such as ransomware. CTERA Vault will augment the storage solution’s other cyber resiliency features, such as CTERA Ransom Protect AI-based ransomware detection.
WORM Immutability Helps Address Regulatory Compliance Requirements
Adding WORM immutability to the CTERA platform will also be greatly beneficial for regulatory compliance needs. Many sectors such as healthcare, finance, and government have strict requirements regarding data retention and auditability. By using CTERA Vault, organizations can ensure that their data maintains its integrity and is retained for the required time period to meet specific compliance or auditing needs. Also notable from a compliance standpoint is the ability to log and review any attempted changes to WORM data.
Disclosure: The Futurum Group is a research and advisory firm that engages or has engaged in research, analysis, and advisory services with many technology companies, including those mentioned in this article. The author does not hold any equity positions with any company mentioned in this article.
Analysis and opinions expressed herein are specific to the analyst individually and data and other information that might have been provided for validation, not those of The Futurum Group as a whole.
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Author Information
Mitch comes to The Futurum Group through the acquisition of the Evaluator Group and is focused on the fast-paced and rapidly evolving areas of cloud computing and data storage. Mitch joined Evaluator Group in 2019 as a Research Associate covering numerous storage technologies and emerging IT trends.
With a passion for all things tech, Mitch brings deep technical knowledge and insight to The Futurum Group’s research by highlighting the latest in data center and information management solutions. Mitch’s coverage has spanned topics including primary and secondary storage, private and public clouds, networking fabrics, and more. With ever changing data technologies and rapidly emerging trends in today’s digital world, Mitch provides valuable insights into the IT landscape for enterprises, IT professionals, and technology enthusiasts alike.
With a focus on data security, protection, and management, Krista has a particular focus on how these strategies play out in multi-cloud environments. She brings approximately 15 years of experience providing research and advisory services and creating thought leadership content. Her vantage point spans technology and vendor portfolio developments; customer buying behavior trends; and vendor ecosystems, go-to-market positioning, and business models. Her work has appeared in major publications including eWeek, TechTarget and The Register.
Prior to joining The Futurum Group, Krista led the data protection practice for Evaluator Group and the data center practice of analyst firm Technology Business Research. She also created articles, product analyses, and blogs on all things storage and data protection and management for analyst firm Storage Switzerland and led market intelligence initiatives for media company TechTarget.
