With the exponential growth in data storage requirements, most enterprises are moving towards a scale-out network-attached storage (NAS) architecture. Scale-out NAS storage is a type of storage infrastructure that utilizes multiple storage nodes to share data, which makes it an ideal solution for businesses that need to store large volumes of data. However, as more businesses adopt scale-out NAS storage, security concerns are on the rise. This article will explore best practices for securing scale-out NAS storage, so businesses can protect sensitive data.
Secure Access Control
One of the most critical steps to securing scale-out NAS storage is implementing access controls to prevent unauthorized access to the data. IT teams should only permit users and applications with authorized credentials to access data, files, or directories. Access controls can be enforced using role-based access controls, attribute-based access controls, or even access control lists. By doing this, businesses can limit who has access to sensitive data, which is crucial for maintaining data privacy and security.
Encryption
Encryption is an essential feature in most NAS systems. It is crucial for protecting data at rest as well as data that’s in transit. With scale-out NAS storage, encryption is even more critical since data is shared across multiple storage nodes. In this case, IT administrators should adopt end-to-end encryption to ensure that data is encrypted as it moves across the network. Most NAS storage vendors offer encryption features, and IT administrators should take advantage of them.
Backup and Disaster Recovery
One of the often overlooked but critical facets of securing scale-out NAS storage is developing a robust backup and disaster recovery plan. It is essential to ensure that backed-up data and disaster recovery solutions are secured effectively. Storage administrators should back up data frequently and test restoration regularly to detect any potential issues. Additionally, disaster recovery solutions should be in place and tested to ensure business continuity in the event of a disaster.
Monitoring NAS storage
Monitoring scale-out NAS storage is essential for ensuring that the system stays secure. Storage administrators should monitor the storage cluster closely for potential threats or malicious activity. This can be done by using real-time security platforms that continuously monitor the storage cluster. Monitoring helps to detect potential points of failure and compromised data, which enables administrators to take immediate action and prevent data theft.
Implement Security Protocols
Finally, it's suggested to implement security protocols that are often used to secure other aspects of the IT infrastructure. For example, virus protection software should be deployed to prevent malware and viruses from entering the NAS system via user access or infected files. Also, to ensure data integrity, businesses should adopt secure deletion protocols for sensitive data. Implementing network segmentation is another standard practice to monitor network performance.
Conclusion
In summary, securing scale-out NAS storage is crucial in today's digital landscape. As more businesses shift towards this storage infrastructure, it's important to follow the best practices we discussed, such as secure access control, encryption, backup, and disaster recovery planning, monitoring, and implementing security protocols. With these best practices, businesses can ensure their sensitive data remains secure and prevent unauthorized access or data theft. By doing this, businesses can continue to benefit from the high performance, scalability, and efficiency that scale-out NAS storage provides.
