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Information Lifecycle Management (ILM) is not just about a box that many
storage vendors try to push-rather, it encompasses data creation to deletion,
and everything in between. Fundamentally, ILM provides organizations with
processes and technologies for managing data through the information lifecycle,
efficiently and effectively. This involves aligning the IT infrastructure with
business objectives and recognizing that the value of data changes as it ages.
It is estimated that 90% of stored data is seldom or never accessed after 90
days. Consequently, as data ages, it should be shifted automatically to more
cost-effective storage media and technologies, based upon its relevance, to save
money and better utilize storage resources.
Embracing a common definition better serves the industry and the enterprises
because it helps standardize ILM approaches, practices, implementation and
interoperability. An open approach supports and promotes development of the most
effective ILM solutions to meet business requirements across the industry.
Although the approach to ILM may come from different perspectives, all in the
industry agree that the need to deploy ILM solutions is becoming more and more
urgent.
| The Three Commandments |
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An ILM strategy is not truly comprehensive unless it includes three critical areas: a data lifecycle management (DLM) infrastructure, security, and integration.
DLM refers to a value-based infrastructure that helps determine the right access, right performance, and right media. This is the physical infrastructure that delivers ILM and helps reduce the total cost of sharing information and making it accessible to users.
Security needs answers to questions like who has access, how is that identity verified and how is the information protected. Security is essential to comply with industry regulations, restrict access to sensitive information, and help protect an organization by mitigating risk.
The third integral element is systems and application integration. Although some vendors claim to offer the benefits of an end-to-end product line and broader experience, typically, no single vendor has all the pieces needed for a customized, comprehensive ILM strategy that best meets particular business needs. An open systems approach that assembles best-of-class components and involves ISV partners helps result in the best possible solutions for any organization. |
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Escalating Costs and Data Management
Today, the information is growing faster than the decline in prices.
Estimates indicate that information stored on computer systems is growing by
more than 100% per year, and the cost of managing storage is rising to more than
90% of the acquisition cost. Not just that, industry experts believe that
storage utilization rates are running only 40-60%, which means that nearly half
of every rupee spent on storage may be wasted. Information can no longer exist
in storage silos or one-dimensional life cycles.
Compliance
Compliance requirements come from many directions, driven by internal and
external factors. Examples include e-mail legalities, business process
requirements, export and import controls, and regulatory compliance requirements
such as Sarbanes-Oxley, which addresses financial control and reporting issues
raised by recent corporate financial scandals; Gramm-Leach-Bliley, which
involves the adoption of strict privacy measures around financial institutions'
customer data; and the Healthcare Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA),
which relates to the protection of consumers' healthcare information. In India,
we have the RBI regulations regarding storing every financial transaction record
for seven years. Non-compliance with these regulations or other requirements can
result in large fines and/or legal action.
| CIO Guide on ILM Strategy |
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Is your organization required to comply with industry regulations such as
Sarbanes-Oxley?
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Do you have a record retention plan that supports your financial and business needs?
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Does your current storage strategy adequately protect your organization's data assets and reduce the risk of large fines or litigation?
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In the event of a lawsuit, would your IT department be able to quickly and efficiently
produce all relevant documentation required?
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Is access to your business data sufficiently secure, contained, and limited to the appropriate people?
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Could inappropriate access or unavailability of data represent a catastrophe to your business?
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Do your customers and employees demand 24x7 transparent access to information?
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Is your IT staff able to quickly and efficiently backup and restore data, even in the event of a disaster?
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Are you confident you are achieving maximum storage utilization?
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As business data ages, do you have the infrastructure and policies in place to shift it automatically to more cost-effective storage media and technologies, based upon its relevance? |
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Litigation Support Readiness
Recent high-profile cases illustrate the surge in lawsuits against all types
of organizations - from drug companies to building products companies to
financial institutions and more. If an organization becomes involved in a
lawsuit, the CIO might be required to produce all documents relevant to a
particular issue, including email. To be able to produce the documentation
needed in the time required, and to be able to support the myriad other needs
required during the litigation process, an effective information management
solution must be in place.
Enterprise Content Management
The information explosion has created great business potential. As data
grows, the need to better manage the content grows, while the opportunity to
maximize the value of the business content also increases. Organizations such as
ESPN are finding ways to maximize content with one of the most interactive,
multi-functional websites in the sports world. The demand to see India's
Natwest triumph in England in 2002 or the World Cup victory over Pakistan would
continue for years-but while today the content is being held on
high-performance disk, over time it will make economic sense to move it down the
tiers of storage gradually to tape. Maximizing business content opportunities
and managing the content appropriately throughout its lifecycle in this way
contributes directly to the bottom line.
Rajneesh De
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