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IBMs Spectrum brand, in use for numerous IBM products since 2015, is set to disappear and be replaced by the more descriptive IBM Storage. The move comes as part of a wider strategy for storage services in which it will now aim for greater product integration without the need for customers to assemble diverse hardware modules.

The challenge is to reduce the number of products in our storage catalogue, in favour of all-in-one solutions that will be easier to buy and to sell into managed services by integrators, said Denis Kennelly, general manager of storage at IBM.

The first product in this new push will be Storage Defender, a backup appliance aimed at combatting ransomware, planned for summer release. Storage Defender combines file and virtual machine backup from Spectrum Protect, object storage backup software from Cohesitys DataProtect, and container storage management from Spectrum Fusion, all in a flash-equipped FlashSystem storage array.

The plan is also to integrate the results of the open source Velero backup project for Kubernetes, which is heavily supported by Red Hat.

IBM said that Storage Defender will lean heavily on AI monitoring of storage equipment activity to detect things like disk errors and the presence of malware, as well as to alert administrators.

It acts, more precisely, to detect risks on storage arrays in production and not just those that store backups, said Brent Ellis, an analyst with Forrester Research. With that kind of vision of events it becomes possible to use snapshots to recover operations with the briefest delay.

In summary, you wont have separate systems for surveillance of cyber security and for backup, said Christophe Bertrand of analyst ESG. IBM is proposing a cyber-surveillance system that prevents data theft and looks after restoration in case it is destroyed. He noted that the appliance comes with a console that can be used by cyber security and backup admins.

Analysts have applauded the integration of a number of technologies that previously would have existed in different forms of storage and would have to have been bought separately. Now, FlashSystem arrays can deal with backup and be used for production workloads and that will include storage for containerised applications, thanks to Fusion.

Its quite a judicious move to bundle Cohesity into the product because it radically simplifies backup, said Ellis. Previously, IBM sold three products: Spectrum Protect for on-site file backup, Spectrum Protect Plus for virtual machines, and Spectrum Protect Plus Online for data in the cloud. Now, everything will be dealt with from one console.

The new offer will also comprise Storage for Data & AI and Storage for Hybrid Cloud. The first of those will use storage from Ceph Storage for block, file and object, and IBM Storage Scale (previously Spectrum Scale) to share file and object storage over the network. The Storage Scale System, previously known as Elastic Storage System, will provide the storage hardware underpinnings.

For Hybrid Cloud, there will be hyper-converged infrastructure dedicated to Kubernetes. That will run OpenShift for compute and Fusion for storage. In this configuration, the Fusion console will optimise sharing of resources between applications, and also migrate containers as simply as possible.

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IBM Storage launched with backup appliance plan - ComputerWeekly.com

disguise has announced the launch of EX 3 a 4K video playback solution designed specifically for location-based experiences and fixed installations.

Whether its for an art show, entertainment venue or office lobby, EX 3 unlocks the full scalability of the disguise platform, which has powered more than 600 immersive experiences in more than 50 countries. The platform includes disguises Designer software, newly launched APIs and the disguise cloud collaboration toolkit. This enables creatives to benefit from an end-to-end workflow from concept to delivery, so they can bring their vision to life from one connected platform.

Creative studios increasingly have to deliver a wider variety of projects, said Raed Al Tikriti, chief product and technology officer at disguise. With EX 3, weve made doing this easier and more accessible than ever. Even if you only need video playback for an hour, youll be able to design, edit and deliver scalable installations, all without leaving the disguise platform.

Featuring three 4K video outputs suitable for both projection and LED displays, each EX 3 is designed to play back video with minimal latency. Depending on the needs of the show, additional EX 3 machines can be added and synced together to scale out the video playout. EX 3 units can even be used in a session with other disguise media servers for more complex experiences. Users can work at scale and maintain the ability to make changes to their content on the fly, from designer, without changing the system infrastructure. This is also helpful when running concurrent shows on the same system.

Displaying high-resolution video on a building, LED stage or event space can make a massive difference to how immersive your final experience is, says Tikriti. With EX 3 you can do this while being flexible for whatever tomorrow might bring. You can build your video sequence and make changes on the fly in Designer, share 3D previews of your stage in the cloud with our Previz app and even build custom show control with our APIs. Then, youll be able to trust that EX 3 will map it all out onto any canvas at pixel-perfect quality.

The benefits of EX 3 include:

Easier playout to large canvases: Thanks to its genlock support, multiple EX 3 machines can be synced together, enabling play back of 4K video at scale, with minimal latency.

More flexibility for custom experiences: Use disguise APIs to build additional applications on top of EX 3. Operators can easily customize workflows with tools to schedule content, monitor system health and more.

Stress-free collaboration: EX 3 unlocks access to the full disguise platform. Users can sequence videos using Designer, then share them via disguises Previz app, with which creators can preview the result in 3D space. All project content will be stored and collated in disguise Cloud, so its all in one place.

More creativity and scalability: Make content changes on the fly with Designer, without the need to change the infrastructure, so that experiences can evolve over time. EX 3 can also be used alongside OmniCal, disguises camera-based projector calibration system, to align projectors to sub-pixel accuracy in just minutes.

24/7 world-class support: As well as cloud storage and easy collaboration, EX 3 users can take advantage of disguises 24/7 support with a highly-experienced team based all over the world, which has been helping deliver events for more than 20 years. Local service centers and server loan programs are also on hand to ensure any project runs without a hitch.

New video playback solution for LBEs and fixed installations

disguise has announced the launch of EX 3 a 4K video playback solution designed specifically for location-based experiences and fixed installations.

Whether its for an art show, entertainment venue or office lobby, EX 3 unlocks the full scalability of the disguise platform, which has powered more than 600 immersive experiences in more than 50 countries. The platform includes disguises Designer software, newly launched APIs and the disguise cloud collaboration toolkit. This enables creatives to benefit from an end-to-end workflow from concept to delivery, so they can bring their vision to life from one connected platform.

Creative studios increasingly have to deliver a wider variety of projects, said Raed Al Tikriti, chief product and technology officer at disguise. With EX 3, weve made doing this easier and more accessible than ever. Even if you only need video playback for an hour, youll be able to design, edit and deliver scalable installations, all without leaving the disguise platform.

Featuring three 4K video outputs suitable for both projection and LED displays, each EX 3 is designed to play back video with minimal latency. Depending on the needs of the show, additional EX 3 machines can be added and synced together to scale out the video playout. EX 3 units can even be used in a session with other disguise media servers for more complex experiences. Users can work at scale and maintain the ability to make changes to their content on the fly, from designer, without changing the system infrastructure. This is also helpful when running concurrent shows on the same system.

Displaying high-resolution video on a building, LED stage or event space can make a massive difference to how immersive your final experience is, says Tikriti. With EX 3 you can do this while being flexible for whatever tomorrow might bring. You can build your video sequence and make changes on the fly in Designer, share 3D previews of your stage in the cloud with our Previz app and even build custom show control with our APIs. Then, youll be able to trust that EX 3 will map it all out onto any canvas at pixel-perfect quality.

The benefits of EX 3 include:

Easier playout to large canvases: Thanks to its genlock support, multiple EX 3 machines can be synced together, enabling play back of 4K video at scale, with minimal latency.

More flexibility for custom experiences: Use disguise APIs to build additional applications on top of EX 3. Operators can easily customize workflows with tools to schedule content, monitor system health and more.

Stress-free collaboration: EX 3 unlocks access to the full disguise platform. Users can sequence videos using Designer, then share them via disguises Previz app, with which creators can preview the result in 3D space. All project content will be stored and collated in disguise Cloud, so its all in one place.

More creativity and scalability: Make content changes on the fly with Designer, without the need to change the infrastructure, so that experiences can evolve over time. EX 3 can also be used alongside OmniCal, disguises camera-based projector calibration system, to align projectors to sub-pixel accuracy in just minutes.

24/7 world-class support: As well as cloud storage and easy collaboration, EX 3 users can take advantage of disguises 24/7 support with a highly-experienced team based all over the world, which has been helping deliver events for more than 20 years. Local service centers and server loan programs are also on hand to ensure any project runs without a hitch.

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New video playback solution for LBEs and fixed installations - InPark Magazine

Ian Compton, Director of Sales (EMEA), at Arcules offers some guidance on the key benefits that operating a cloud-based video surveillance model can bring to an organisation. He also explains the different options security managers should consider, whether its a private, public or hybrid solution that fits best with the company needs.

More organisations are looking to reap the benefits of the flexible and scalable cloud-based service model, causing the clouds global usage to rise. According to a report by Data Bridge Market Research, the global video surveillance-as-a-service market is expected to exceed $11.16 billion by 2026.

In the security segment, cloud adoption has moved more slowly than in other industries, but weve reached a period of sustained, growing interest. The simplicity of the Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) approach is the primary reason for the increase in spending. But there are other far reaching impacts to consider.

Here are some to keep in mind:

Centralisation is one of the most valuable components of the cloud because it allows users to access information from anywhere using a range of connected devices. One platform contains all pertinent data. Stakeholders can get the most relevant and up-to-date information within minutes if there is a security or business crisis.

Flexibility and scalability are also essential features. A cloud solution for storing and managing video data allows for rapid adjustment and agility as a company grows or its technology systems become more advanced, reducing the complexity that might come with expansion.

Intelligence is derived from data analysed and stored in the cloud. The cloud provides stakeholders with more insight into daily operations. It helps ensure that all organisational and security goals are met daily and into the future.

Data security in the cloud is a highly discussed issue, but the cloud can enhance data protection with proper protocols in place. Stakeholders can protect sensitive data from bad actors by utilising vulnerability testing, password etiquette, software patches, and encryption. Additionally, public cloud providers have invested significant efforts into ensuring their networks are protected and provide the utmost uptime.

Automatic updates take the burden off IT departments regarding system management, as upgrades and security fixes are automatically installed. Cloud services are, therefore, exceptionally beneficial for organisations with limited or nonexistent IT teams, as it takes maintenance and operational concerns out of their hands.

Cost efficient is a term used when discussing cloud deployment because a SaaS model can be much more affordable than a hardware-based model. Deploying a cloud-based solution substantially reduces an upfront capital investment, introducing more of a service-based arrangement instead of paying for video data, storage, and add-ons they use.

The shift to the cloud is a challenge for our industry because of our traditional reliance on hardware. On-premises surveillance solutions have been the norm, and its what were used to. On-premises is not all bad: several businesses prefer to control all decision-making and data handling, making an on-premises solution ideal for customised configurations unique to the organisations needs.

However, organisations that are interested in incorporating the cloud into their overall security posture have three options to consider:

Private cloud

Some organisations deploy their storage systems in-house, implementing cloud computing and storage technology. Private cloud offers the usability, scalability, and flexibility for which cloud is known and is a viable option for those businesses looking to adopt cloud technology but on their private network to limit access to outside users.

A private cloud, however, is not without its limitations. The oversight and management of this storage solution require extensive training and knowledge of the best practices for protecting transmitted data. In general, private cloud systems have a higher cost of ownership due to the hardware investments that need to be made and maintenance costs.

Public cloud

Public cloud refers to the delivery of hosted services over the internet. The public cloud is an optimal video surveillance solution for businesses looking to experience scalability and flexibility in streamlining video and business operations and identifying the organisations most prominent risks. The public cloud is an excellent choice for an organisation to centralise surveillance and data management.

However, the public cloud may not be the best option for businesses without the bandwidth required for streaming footage. The cost of streaming video 24/7 can certainly add up, and if a company demands extensive live viewing, an on-prem solution could make more sense.

Hybrid cloud

Hybrid cloud models allow for a mix of on-premises, private, and public cloud services. Forrester defines a hybrid cloud as one or more public clouds connected to something in my data centre. That thing could be a private cloud. That thing could be traditional data centre infrastructure.

Workloads and data can move freely between the various pieces, creating an advantage for those looking for a balance between the two options mentioned above and a solution tailored to their needs. Additionally, many locations are a good fit for an on-premises solution, making sense for the business.

Evaluating bandwidth is critical in determining the exemplary cloud-based service to meet an organisations needs. Low bandwidth can cause issues with how much data the network can handle at once, significantly reducing the users ability to access critical data when needed.

Its also crucial to determine the level of support required within the organisation. For many, the service-based model can help ensure high levels of oversight over the system beyond the regular security updates to include regular monitoring. To determine this, users must identify who will be responsible for using the system.

To sum it up, you have many options as you consider how cloud video fits within your digital transformation plans. Its essential to evaluate the specific needs of your organisation. The possibilities of cloud solutions are limitless.

If you carefully plan your cloud journey around current and future needs, you can realize a more straightforward yet effective video management program.

Discover the latest developments in the rapidly-evolving video surveillance sector. by downloading the 2022 Video Surveillance Report. Responses come from installers and integrators to consultants and heads of security, as we explore the latest trends including AI, software and hardware most in use, cyber security challenges, and the wider economic and geopolitical events impacting the sector! We also take a deep dive into how video surveillance is being used in healthcare, education, retail and logistics.

Download for FREE to discover top industry insight around the latest innovations in cameras and video surveillance systems.

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How can your business benefit from a cloud-based video model? - IFSEC Global

As the world works towards vital net zero targets, digitization has become essential in delivering efficient, green strategies. Data (opens in new tab) is critical in driving better business outcomes and ensuring a sustainable future. On the flip side, however, our new data-driven world throws up its own sustainability challenges. The data centers that house our digital reserves require vast amounts of energy. Global emissions from cloud (opens in new tab) computing, for example, are predicted to amount to over 3.5% of greenhouse gas emissions, even more than commercial flights.

Over the last decade efforts have been made to ensure data centers are more sustainable. However, while the infrastructure can be made greener, the issue of wasted storage makes efforts harder. The continued storage of useless data drains precious resources. According to Veritas research the power it takes to store such dark data wastes up to 6.4m tons of carbon dioxide yearly. Analysts predict that by 2025 there will be around 91ZB of dark data being held unnecessarily - that is over four times todays volume.

On average, our research found that 52% of data stored by organizations is dark; its content and value are unknown, and it is essentially useless until its value (if any) is determined. At the same time, it is estimated that around one third of organizational data is Redundant, Obsolete and Trivial (ROT).

In short, swathes of data are being stored for no reason. ROT data is a major contributor to high storage costs; recent global research suggests over nine in ten organizations exceed their cloud budgets, overspending by an average of 43% mainly on storage (opens in new tab), backup (opens in new tab) and recovery. Much has been said about the financial cost of dark data, but the environmental cost is too often overlooked. Deleting massive spawls of data waste could help drastically reduce organizations' carbon footprint, leading to greater sustainability and lower costs. As such, businesses must get on top of their data management strategies, use the right tools to identify valuable data and rid their data centers of unnecessary, energy-draining dark data.

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Ian Wood is the Senior Director and Head of Technology at Veritas.

Data management is a crucial first step for organizations to effectively analyze data at scale.

This starts with data mapping and discovery, understanding how information flows through an organization. Gaining visibility and insight into where data and sensitive information are stored, who has access and how long it is being retained is the first port of call when identifying dark data. However, its important that organizations invest in an ongoing program of proactive data management. This allows organizations to gain visibility into their data, storage, and backup infrastructure and make insight-led decisions related to data deletion on an ongoing basis. Accumulated dark and ROT data is a drain on all resources.

Additionally, data minimization and purpose limitation can reduce the amount of data being stored and ensure what is retained is directly related to its purpose. Using classification, flexible data retention policies, and compliant policy engines means that there can be confident deletion of non-relevant information. This not only reduces the amount of dark data feeding off data center resources but can also ensure compliance with data protection regulations such as GDPR.

For many organisations reducing dark and ROT data is not a simple task, especially when handled manually. The process can be complex, with many enterprise data management solutions retaining a manual deployment and maintenance approach, slowing operational agility.

With the amount of data being created and stored exploding, this is not a task enterprises can afford to do manually. Automating analytics, tracking, and reporting of dark data is essential when handling potentially petabytes of data and billions of files. Additionally, the need for multi-cloud strategies has necessitated the development of a new approach to data management.

The ultimate tool for organizations is now autonomous data management. Here, artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) technologies allow the automation of data management processes and minimize human intervention and oversight. By automating the provisioning, optimizing, healing, and configuring of data management technologies across multi-cloud environments, businesses can gain a much clearer, more accurate picture of their data in a much shorter space of time no matter what it is or where it is stored.

For example, enterprise data management platforms can now autonomously classify cloud-based data, deduplicate unnecessary, redundant data in the cloud, and archive or delete obsolete and trivial cloud data. Such an automated data insight approach should also be integrated with archiving, backup and cybersecurity (opens in new tab) solutions to prevent data loss (opens in new tab) and ensure policy-based data retention.

Ongoing digital transformation makes organizations' requirements for data content and context a priority, not least when so many of those transformative projects seek to deliver greater sustainability. The energy used to store useless data is pure waste. Imagine if we could automatically remove 85% of this useless data from data centers - this would enable a huge leap towards net-zero.

Reducing the environmental impact of our data storage footprint will be imperative if we are to avoid creating an even larger mass of waste data as the cloud evolves. Green strategies powered by digitalization cannot be let down by the shadow of dark data sapping energy in the background, silently undoing good work. The journey to a sustainable cloud is reliant on tackling data waste. The best solution for managing data waste in a complex, hybrid (opens in new tab), and multi-cloud environment is autonomous operation, minimizing reliance on manual processes by combining hyper-automation with data-driven intelligence.

We've featured the best data migration tools. (opens in new tab)

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Useless data and carbon waste; the dark side of digitization - TechRadar