ANALYSIS

Mark Molyneux, EMEA CTO at Cohesity, explains that achieving a balance between scalability and security in data management requires a holistic approach – integrating modern data protection technologies, robust governance frameworks, scalable infrastructure and stringent cybersecurity measures.

Managing this data efficiently while ensuring compliance with an increasingly complex regulatory landscape is a significant challenge. However, by adopting a strategic approach that balances scalability and security, businesses can navigate this landscape effectively.

One of the foundational pillars of effective data management is data indexing and classification. Without a clear understanding of what data is being stored, why it’ s being stored, its value and who may access it, it is impossible to manage storage efficiently. This can have significant knock-on effects such as difficulty to comply with regulations through an inability to provide accurate data for auditing, or the ability to leverage it for innovative opportunities, such as the recent advancements in AI.

Taking a step back always helps when it comes to creating an appropriate data strategy. Data indexing and classification provides clarity and control over stored data, which is crucial for maintaining strong data hygiene.

The value of data indexing and classification

When businesses index their data, they gain comprehensive knowledge about it, including details such as time, date, age, size and creator. Classification further enhances this by identifying what the data is and determining how long it needs to be retained based on the company’ s relevant records policy. This approach has powerful implications for regulatory compliance, cost savings, AI insights, sustainability, cybersecurity and access control.

Cost savings are a significant benefit of data classification. By assigning data to the right storage tier, businesses can optimise both cost and access. By understanding what the data allows businesses to make defensible deletion decisions, so what to retain and what to remove. These prevent indiscriminate storage and reduce unnecessary data bloat, ultimately cutting storage costs. In an era where data storage can be costly, this is a crucial consideration for businesses looking to manage their budgets effectively.

Regulatory

From a regulatory compliance perspective, proper data classification ensures that data is retained for the appropriate length of time, helping businesses

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