Mastering Data Management in 2021 and Beyond

By Michael Jack, vice president of global sales and co-founder, Datadobi

In 2021, organizations that understand unstructured data management are going to be the winners. On a global scale, unstructured data is growing at such a rapid pace that the sheer amount of it is out of control. This makes it difficult for organizations to make informed decisions when staring into such a muddled abyss. Having a strategy to manage unstructured data is now essential and will put space between the leaders and those forced to play catch up. But, devising a strategy for such a complex environment isn't innate to most enterprise-scale organizations-they'll need help.

Below, we discuss some trends to look for in the data management space in the upcoming year with the goal of enabling enterprises to finally master data management in 2021 and beyond. 

Carl D'Halluin, CTO, Datadobi

"Cloud consumption is going to accelerate, creating a wider need for organizations to embrace hybrid storage setups. Organizations will need software to manage their unstructured data in this decentralized storage world. Businesses in every industry are wondering about the practicality of their on-premises storage gear now that their employees, customers, and other stakeholders are all working from home. As cloud file systems continue to mature, cloud vendors will start seeing higher adoption rates as they add features and prove stability. As a result, at some point in the next year, customers will wonder if they should spend money on a fully duplicated on-premises file server infrastructure, or if they should redirect that money to the cloud to enable global data availability, data protection, and data archival.

As organizations move away from a single-vendor on-premise storage infrastructure and look to a fully comprehensive storage plan that likely includes an increase in cloud, they will begin to buy from more than one vendor for a comprehensive storage solution. In this multi-vendor world, customers will need software to manage their unstructured data - no matter the placement. In the new hybrid setups, most organizations will have in 2021 and beyond, it is important that data sets are moved, copied, or archived to the optimal locations. By utilizing software created for unstructured data management, IT administrators can see an overview of their data and as a result set up policies, satisfy compliance regulation, protect against threats, and optimize costs for their storage."

Steve Leeper, office of the CTO, Datadobi 

"In 2021 visibility and management of massive datasets will be the name of the game. Enterprise IT professionals will be seeking solutions that give them valuable insights into the datasets for which they are responsible. Beyond getting insights into the data they will need innovative technology that allows them to take action and manage the data in a reliable and automated fashion. 

The story does not end there, however, as these same professionals will want world-class service and support to ensure the solution meets all the needs of their organization.  They will be looking to their trusted channel advisors (VARs, SIs, and distributors) for a relationship that doesn't end at the loading dock. IT professionals will be seeking a true partner that is able to help them to navigate the entire data movement process, in a highly predictable manner -- from identifying the right data to move, to helping them to move it as quickly, accurately, securely, and cost effectively as possible -- all while maintaining critical capabilities, such as chain of custody tracking and integrity reporting."

Annemie Vanoosterhout, release and project manager, Datadobi

"Ransomware will become more active and visible in 2021, creating the need for companies to protect their business-critical data. Organizations will need a data protection strategy that outsmarts sophisticated adversaries conducting ransomware attacks. The traditional two-folded system with a primary recovery source on-premises and a secondary system either on-premises or in the cloud will not be enough. If disaster strikes and both systems fail after an attack, an organization will suddenly face an existential risk and have to shut down business - which can cost thousands of dollars or more. 

In order to create a disaster-proof business continuity plan, companies must know what data is business-critical and protect it in a "bunker" - either on-premises or in the cloud. This "golden copy" of data is a simple, cost-effective way of complementing a traditional disaster recovery plan. The bunker is completely isolated from the primary and secondary storage systems which creates an air gap that inhibits ransomware or other human errors that could disrupt primary and secondary copies from affecting the golden copy. The air-gap also shifts control from a large number of employees to a limited set of company administrators. Even the few selected to have access will also have to complete a number of steps before opening the bunker. 

Being unable to access business-critical data can cripple businesses. Adding a golden copy of this data to complement traditional business continuity plans can give organizations the peace of mind while also protecting from the devastating effects of ransomware during the New Year and beyond."

In 2020, unstructured data maintained its explosive exponential growth -- and its position as the most prevalent data across virtually every enterprise organization, around the world. By taking heed and responding to the aforementioned critical trends, enterprise organizations will be able to streamline their management, fortify their protection, and reap the resulting tremendous IT and business benefits into 2021, and well beyond.

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