Owning the Cloud: Insights from Commvault SHIFT London 2024
The Commvault SHIFT event in London this October brought together some of the best minds in data protection and cybersecurity. It’s clear that with the ever-growing complexity of cyber threats, businesses need a robust approach to securing their data, and Commvault is leading the charge with fresh strategies and innovative tools. Here’s a rundown of the event’s highlights and why they matter to your IT strategy.
Why Cyber Resilience Matters More Than Ever
In today’s digital world, businesses rely heavily on the cloud for agility and efficiency. But as over 70% of IT spend now goes into cloud-based technologies, the need to secure and manage that data is more critical than ever. At SHIFT, Commvault emphasised a powerful message: own the cloud. It’s not just about leveraging cloud providers—it's about taking control of your cloud environment, ensuring robust protection, and being prepared for whatever comes your way.
As Sanjay Mirchandani, Commvault’s CEO, put it, "Strong resilience starts long before a security event." And he’s spot on. Whether you’re facing ransomware attacks, data breaches, or unexpected outages, a proactive approach is key. Commvault’s tools give you continuous insights and the ability to recover, no matter the scenario.
New Solutions for a New Era
The event wasn’t just about philosophy—it was packed with announcements and new tech that will reshape how businesses approach data protection. A few highlights:
Cloud Rewind: Imagine being able to recover an entire cloud environment—not just your data, but the complete setup, including network configurations. Cloud Rewind, now part of the Commvault suite, focuses on dynamic and distributed cloud-native applications. It’s designed to make sure your modern, scalable applications can be restored swiftly, keeping downtime to a minimum. This means even in the most complex, multi-cloud setups, you’re covered.
Clumio Acquisition: Commvault’s acquisition of Clumio brings next-level AWS data protection to their customers. This integration means even tighter security and more streamlined recovery capabilities. For AWS users, this translates to faster and more efficient data recovery, thanks to advanced S3 protection and enhanced cloud backup features.
Hyperscale X Edge & AD Forest Recovery: Commvault is stepping up edge data protection with Hyperscale X Edge—a solution that combines local deployment flexibility with centralised management. Plus, the new Active Directory Forest Recovery functionality ensures that even your AD infrastructure is safeguarded, allowing for quick restoration if the worst happens.
Continuous Business Requires Continuous Resilience
A key theme throughout SHIFT was the importance of continuous business. It’s not just about bouncing back after an incident but ensuring your operations stay resilient day in, day out. With cyber threats constantly evolving, businesses must stay a step ahead, and that means testing recovery plans regularly. As shared during the event, 20% of businesses that haven’t been breached haven’t tested their recovery plans at all. That’s a risk no business should be willing to take.
The message was clear: know your data, understand your risks, and have a solid recovery plan in place. It’s not just about having backups but knowing how quickly you can restore operations. Commvault’s solutions make this easier than ever, providing businesses with the tools to control their data across multiple cloud environments.
Compliance is a Continuous Journey
Cyber compliance was another hot topic at SHIFT. We’re heading towards a world where regulations play a crucial role in ensuring data safety, from the upcoming DORA (Digital Operational Resilience Act) to the increasing scrutiny from the EU. The takeaway? Compliance isn’t a one-time checkbox; it’s a continuous process. Your business needs to adapt, improve, and maintain resilience to keep up with changing regulations.
As one speaker put it, “It’s not enough to think you’re resilient. If your partners or customers aren’t, you’re still vulnerable.” This means assessing the entire chain of your operations, from suppliers to end-users, to ensure that resilience is a shared priority.
What Does This Mean for Your IT Strategy?
So, what’s the bottom line for businesses looking to stay ahead of the curve? It’s all about knowing your environment and taking action:
Understand Your Crown Jewels: Know what data and systems are most critical to your business. Protect them with a comprehensive plan that includes both prevention and rapid recovery.
Own Your Cloud: Don’t just rely on cloud providers—take responsibility for your cloud data. Commvault’s solutions, like Cloud Rewind, give you the control you need to handle any disruption smoothly.
Test, Test, Test: A recovery plan is only as good as its last test. Make sure you’re regularly evaluating your disaster recovery strategy and updating it as threats evolve.
Stay Compliant: Keep up with regulations by treating compliance as a continuous journey. With tools like Commvault’s enhanced AWS protection and edge solutions, you can ensure your data meets the highest standards of safety.
Looking Ahead
As we left Commvault SHIFT, one message resonated above all: the need for businesses to be proactive, resilient, and prepared. With an ever-expanding digital footprint, the right mix of data protection and cybersecurity is no longer optional—it’s essential.
Whether you’re just starting your journey to the cloud or looking to strengthen your existing strategy, now’s the time to act. Commvault’s innovations are setting new standards in data resilience, and it’s an exciting time for businesses ready to take charge of their future. After all, continuous business starts with continuous resilience—and that’s a mission we can all get behind.
