IBM introduces AI-Enhanced Data Resilience Solution: A Powerful Cyberattack Defense

In today’s digital landscape, cyberattacks have become a pressing concern for organizations worldwide. A recent report from TechTarget’s Enterprise Strategy Group reveals that 89% of organizations consider ransomware as one of the top five threats to their viability. However, this is just one of the many risks that companies face when it comes to protecting their corporate data. Insider threats, data exfiltration, hardware failures, and natural disasters also pose significant dangers.

As the generative AI market continues to grow, there is a growing concern that it could become an attack surface for cybercriminals. The 2024 IBM X-Force Threat Intelligence Index highlights this potential risk and emphasizes the need for enterprises to recognize that their existing infrastructure can serve as a gateway for attackers to target their AI models.

To address these evolving threats and provide clients with improved detection capabilities, IBM is introducing new AI-enhanced versions of its FlashCore Module (FCM) technology, available in the new IBM Storage FlashSystem products. Additionally, IBM is launching a new version of its Storage Defender software, designed to help organizations detect and respond to ransomware and other cyberattacks that put their data at risk.

The fourth generation of FCM technology brings artificial intelligence capabilities to the IBM Storage FlashSystem family. By working in tandem with Storage Defender, FCM provides end-to-end data resilience across primary and secondary workloads. Equipped with AI-powered sensors, this technology enables early notification of cyber threats, allowing enterprises to recover faster.

IBM FlashSystem products already employ advanced scanning techniques to detect anomalies that may indicate the start of a cyberattack. The new FCM4 technology takes this a step further by continuously monitoring statistics gathered from every single I/O using machine learning models. This allows for the quick detection of threats like ransomware in less than a minute.

According to Daneyand “DJ” Singley, Executive Director at MAPSYS, “Cyber threats evolve rapidly, making early detection a critical step when we help clients respond to attacks.” The integration of IBM FlashSystem and FCM3 has already proven effective in enabling rapid recovery. With the introduction of FCM4 technology, organizations can take immediate action to thwart attacks.

In addition to early detection, IBM FlashSystem products also measure parameters such as data compressibility and randomness. This information is then passed to IBM Storage Insights software, which alerts operators when a workload anomaly is detected. The FCM4 technology captures and summarizes detailed statistics about every I/O in real time, using machine learning models to distinguish ransomware and malware from normal behavior.

Dave Pearson, Research VP, Infrastructure at IDC, emphasizes the need for a “defense in depth” approach against cyberattacks. He states, “Storage infrastructure is another layer where cyber resilience can improve, and IBM built its new FlashCore Module 4 with AI-based capabilities designed to speed ransomware detection, reduce the spread and impact, and accelerate recovery.”

IBM Storage Defender software complements FlashSystem by offering end-to-end data resilience in modern hybrid multi-cloud IT environments. It covers a wide range of workloads, including virtual machines, databases, applications, file systems, SaaS workloads, and containers. The latest version of Storage Defender expands its threat detection capabilities and includes AI-powered sensors developed by IBM Research. These sensors are engineered to rapidly detect ransomware and other advanced threats with high accuracy, raising alerts to reduce the security breach blast radius.

To further enhance its capabilities, IBM Storage Defender now includes workload and storage inventory management features. This allows organizations to assess the extent of their applications and data, enabling them to incorporate these assets into a business continuity plan for a faster recovery after a cyberattack. Defender also offers the ability to orchestrate and automate the recovery of VMware applications.

One of the key advantages of IBM Storage Defender is its seamless integration with other IBM Storage and IBM Security solutions. This includes IBM QRadar, IBM Guardium, IBM FlashSystem, IBM Storage Scale, IBM Storage Ceph, and IBM Fusion. Additionally, Defender integrates with Cohesity and will integrate with other third-party data platforms to provide end-to-end data resilience across the enterprise data estate.

While both FlashSystem and Defender have individual capabilities that enhance data resilience, their combined power is even greater. Storage administrators can now create protection groups that include specific volumes, which are automatically backed up according to user-defined policies. Immutable copies of data can be restored or recovered to multiple target locations, including different locations in the event of a cyberattack. Furthermore, these immutable copies can be replicated to another IBM Storage Defender cluster for an added layer of protection.

In the face of AI-based cyberattacks, it is crucial to fight fire with fire. IBM’s new FlashCore Module hardware and Storage Defender software leverage the company’s AI capabilities to address this challenge head-on. The comprehensive IBM product portfolio not only helps clients avoid threats but also accelerates the recovery process in the event that attackers breach their defenses. With a focus on early detection and rapid response, IBM is empowering organizations to protect their data and maintain business continuity in today’s ever-evolving threat landscape.

Background Information

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About IBM:

IBM, or International Business Machines Corporation, is a globally American multinational technology company with a storied history dating back to its founding in 1911. Over the decades, IBM has consistently been at the forefront of innovation in the field of information technology. The company is known for its pioneering work in computer hardware, software, and services, with breakthroughs like the IBM System/360 and the invention of the relational database.

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About IDC:

IDC, or International Data Corporation, is a global provider of market intelligence, advisory services, and events for the information technology, telecommunications, and consumer technology markets. Established in 1964, IDC offers valuable insights into industry trends, market forecasts, and technology adoption through its research and analysis. Their expertise aids businesses, governments, and IT professionals in making informed decisions and strategies.

  

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Technology Explained

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VMware: VMware is an industry leader in virtualization technology, allowing for the effective virtualization of computer hardware, networks, and operating systems. Any organization needing to quickly and efficiently deploy complex network environments can utilize VMware, allowing for greater flexibility than physical solutions. VMware products are especially popular in the enterprise segment, as they offer cost savings through increased worker productivity and improved resource utilization. Virtualized services hosted on VMware offer better scaleability and reliability, as well as improved fault-tolerance and cost savings associated with server consolidation. VMware also provides support for the latest hardware and software components, ensuring compatibility with a wide range of applications and services. Furthermore, VMware products provide a secure computing environment, as virtual machines are isolated from each other, preventing the spread of viruses and other threats from one virtual machine to another.

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