I have had the privilege of attending the Commvault Shift event held at the iconic BAFTA headquarters in Piccadilly, London. This event was unique because it offered a comprehensive overview of the current state of cybersecurity and the imminent threats that loom over us. It also highlighted innovative technologies and strategies that can help mitigate those risks and safeguard our digital assets.
We live in an era where data, applications, and devices are constantly evolving and becoming interconnected. Unfortunately, this convergence has also given rise to novel forms of cyber-attacks, such as ransomware, which exploit vulnerabilities in our systems. Therefore, it becomes imperative for organisations and individuals alike to embrace change and adapt to the shifting landscape of cybersecurity.
A lot of what was presented during the day reminded me of a book I read in 1994 Red Cell by Richard Marcinko the basis of the original Red Cell team led by Richard Marcinko was as follows:
- The Red Cell was a specialised military unit formed to assess the security of U.S. military bases and sensitive installations.
- Comprising former members of SEAL Team Six and a Force Recon Marine, they conducted audacious operations to expose vulnerabilities.
- Their actions were recorded and used to highlight security weaknesses for improvement.
- The name “Red Cell” originated from Cold War games where the Red Team represented the opposing force.
- Despite the controversy, the Red Cell served a valuable purpose in enhancing security protocols.
One of the things I remember from this book was he would turn up at a US Government site and say I will be assessing your security on Wednesday next week so make sure to enhance your security. The team will consist of six Red Cell operatives and six camera crew recording each operative.
He would turn up on the Monday and break in and plant fake IED. In the meeting where they went over finding with the Site would say I put extra guards on the front gate!
You might ask what has this got to do with Cybersecurity we need to test our IT Security with Pentests etc and our recovery which is where Commvault Cloud comes in.
With Commault Cloud Solution They are working proactively filling in all the gaps where you are at risk of Cyber-attacks.
Introduction Commvault Clean Room:
Organizations today find themselves grappling with an alarming increase in cyber threats, chief among them ransomware attacks. According to recent research, ransomware attacks grew by a staggering 485% last year alone, causing irreversible harm to countless unsuspecting victims. Amidst this turbulent climate, market-leading data management firm Commvault unveiled its latest solution to tackle this pressing issue – Commvault Clean Room. Engineered to deliver unrivalled ransomware protection and total end-to-end security, Commvault Clean Room equips businesses with the necessary arsenal to stay afloat in treacherous online waters. Commvault Cloud runs on Microsoft Azure. But what exactly does this revolutionary solution bring to the table? Let us dive deeper.
Air-gapping:
At the very core of Commvault Clean Room lies its pioneering ‘air-gapping’ technology. Simply put, air-gapping entails physically separating backup copies of data from production systems and networks, making it infinitely harder for criminals to get access to your sensitive information. Commvault Clean Room raises the bar by providing an isolated environment specifically designed for analysing and processing data without exposing it to potential dangers. Leveraging machine learning algorithms, the system accurately categorizes data based on sensitivity, ensuring only authorized individuals gain access. Embedded auditing capabilities further add a layer of accountability and oversight, enabling organizations to keep abreast of who has accessed their data and when. What is worth noting is that Commvault oversees the egress charges you are responsible for on the compute side.
Immutable design:
But wait, there is more! Commvault Clean Room does not stop at merely air-gapping. Instead, it embraces an immutable design philosophy, taking data protection to previously unexplored heights. Put simply, once data gets written onto a storage device, it cannot be altered or deleted until a certain period lapses. This clever tactic implies that even if nefarious elements somehow breached a system, they would not stand a chance of tweaking or destroying any stored data. Add end-to-end encryption to the mix, ensuring data remains encrypted throughout every stage (creation, transmission, storage, and retrieval), and you have got yourself a truly formidable bastion of security.
Built-in automation:
Handling mountains of data can easily overwhelm businesses, turning mundane tasks into minefields. Thankfully, Commvault Clean Room comes equipped with innovative automation capabilities, streamlining various aspects of data handling (classification, movement, and analysis). Businesses can now craft personalized policies aligned with specific needs, trimming down manual intervention while simultaneously bolstering precision and consistency. Of note is the ability to auto-categorize data according to preset guidelines, ensuring compliance with legal requirements and minimizing human blunders. Automated workflows likewise cut down on expenses typically associated with managing colossal volumes of data, translating into increased efficiency and reduced downtime.
Compatible and scalable:
No two businesses share identical IT infrastructures, making flexibility and compatibility crucial considerations when selecting data protection tools. Commvault Clean Room understands this reality all too well, effortlessly synchronising with prevailing ecosystems without missing a beat. Whether working with Linux or Windows servers, NAS devices, or hypervisors, Commvault Clean Room fits right in, minimizing implementation hurdles and easing day-to-day management. Better still, its inherent scalability means it can grow alongside businesses, ready to tackle whatever tomorrow might throw its way.
Application recovery validation:
Applications represent the lifeblood of modern organizations, driving productivity and serving clients around the clock. Unfortunately, unexpected events like power cuts, natural disasters, or cyberattacks can pull the rug out from underneath, triggering devastating consequences. That is why Commvault Clean Room bundles application recovery validation alongside its already impressive array of features. Armed with this tool, businesses can thoroughly evaluate and authenticate their backups, guaranteeing speedy and fruitful recovery missions whenever called upon. By simulating realistic scenarios, organizations gain peace of mind knowing their apps will come good when push comes to shove, drastically reducing recovery time objectives and softening the financial blow dealt by prolonged downtime.
End-to-end security:
Of course, none of this would matter if Commvault Clean Room did not place supreme importance on end-to-end security. What use is a data protection solution if it leaves gaping holes begging to be exploited? Rest assured, Commvault Clean Room takes this responsibility seriously, employing robust encryption techniques, immutable designs, and air-gapped architectures to ward off unauthorized access, manipulation, or deletion of data. By doing so, it maintains high-level security standards befitting the digital era, guarding businesses against internal and external threats alike.
Conclusion:
There’s little doubt that Commvault Clean Room marks a quantum leap forward in data protection technology, delivering on its promise of unmatched ransomware protection and complete end-to-end security. From air-gapping and immutable designs to built-in automation and application recovery validation, it packs quite a punch. So, if your organization values staying ahead of the curve and wishes to sidestep the pitfalls threatening countless others, look no further than Commvault Clean Room. You will not regret it.
To find out more information on Commvault Clean Room please visit https://www.commvault.com/platform/cleanroom-recovery