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BIG DATA STRATEGIES: Protecting Data on All Endpoints Government computing has become more distributed, moving from desktops to laptops to smartphones and tablets, and from wired connections in the office network to remote and wireless connections over the internet. The documents, media files and data that are vital for an organization’s work are also becoming more distributed. More data on more devices raises security risks, making encryption, remote wipe and geolocation capabilities essential. Also important is automated data backup on all endpoints, so there isn’t a reliance on users to perform manual backups at the right time and to the right place. Of course, employees don’t use their devices just to access information and apps; they also share files and work collaboratively. All too often, users do so with consumer-oriented websites for file sharing, which may not offer acceptable security tracking and controls.
Protecting Endpoints Without Hindering Users
To support employee mobility, agencies should ensure data and files on mobile devices are protected with backups. Cloud services allow automated, incremental backups of endpoint data to an agency data center or a central, virtual repository in the cloud. If a device is lost or stolen, its data is recoverable from a backup, while encryption prevents access to data remaining on the device. To avoid the slowdowns or file lockouts that can occur during a manual backup process, intelligent software runs during times or network conditions that minimize impact on user activity. Ideally these operations would only run if new or changed data was present. No changes, no backup. File sharing is easier to control when data is stored in a central cloud repository that users access through a secure web portal or mobile app.
Boise State University: Keeping Data in Central Storage
The IT department for Boise State University (BSU) reduces concerns about data on endpoints in a simple way — with central data storage and access. Most of the files and data BSU employees use aren’t stored on their PCs. Instead they are maintained in network file shares within the university’s primary and backup data centers. “Mobility is like the Wild West, so we invest in technologies that will help us recover quickly if something bad happens,” says Tory Jamison, director of cloud services and infrastructure. Storing data centrally offers several benefits to Boise State: Avoids the security risk of data that is stored only on an employee’s device Controls data sprawl with de-duplication technology Allows users to access their familiar data files, even while the storage design maintains data in a single source Manages and protects data automatically that is created or received on endpoints A key benefit of the storage design for users is the ability to create virtual file “copies” based on their work needs, project requirements or topic interests. De-duplication technology means the copies are not redundant; instead they are simply pointers to the single stored data file. The need to make publicsector workforces more effective and efficient is pushing more data onto enduser devices, many of which are now mobile. To support this shift, organizations will need to implement strategies that automate and centralize data backup and strengthen protection for information stored on rapidly proliferating end-user hardware.
Key Questions
Do we have a way to easily back up organizational data on the mobile devices employees use? Can employees access a single copy of their files and data, no matter where they are working or what device they are using? Is information on employee devices securely protected by encryption, remote wipe and geolocation capabilities?
The Center for Digital Government is a national research and advisory institute focused on technology policy and best practices in state and local government. The Center provides public- and private-sector leaders with decision support and actionable insight to help drive 21st-century government. The Center is a division of e.Republic, the nation’s only media and research company focused exclusively on state and local government and education. www.centerdigitalgov.com
Commvault is a leading provider of cloud data management solutions, helping companies worldwide activate their data to drive more value and business insight and to transform modern data environments. With solutions and services delivered directly and through a worldwide network of partners and service providers, Commvault solutions comprise one of the industry’s leading portfolios in data protection and recovery, cloud, virtualization, archive, file sync and share. Commvault has earned accolades from customers and third party influencers for its technology vision, innovation, and execution as an independent and trusted expert. Without the distraction of a hardware business or other business agenda, Commvault’s sole focus on data management has led to adoption by companies of all sizes, in all industries, and for solutions deployed on premise, across mobile platforms, to and from the cloud, and provided as-a-service. To learn more, visit www.commvault.com/government-and-education. © 2017 e.Republic. All rights reserved.
