Through this Unfolding Series, I intend to benefit my SME readers and their admin managers. It is about breaking the notions and bringing crystal clear clarity.
There is something we created specifically for SMEs to help them compete on global standards, protect their intellectual property, save software license costs, save huge on G-Suite subscriptions, and take on data theft challenges. The “notions to be broken,” I am implying, are about our own Indian Technology, developed for our own Indian SMEs, known as DLPbox.
SMEs, IT Vendors, and IT Managers underestimate DLPbox as a NAS Device like Netgear or a Microsoft Server or a Firewall like Sonicwall, Endpoint Security like Quickheal, or a Mail Vigilance System like postmaster. Such “Notions to be Broken” neglect the underlying technology powering DLPbox.
In this series, we will take one single feature of DLPbox and explain how it solves a serious problem that otherwise cannot be solved by traditional solutions.
Today, we are taking Forced Centralization as a signature proprietary feature of DLPbox. We will see how necessary it is for Enterprises. We will also see a serious limitation of File Servers, NAS Devices, and Cloud Drives to achieve centralization.
Importance of Data Centralization
Enterprises own digital assets in the form of data. It can be designs, drawings, cost sheets, documents, customer details, accounts data, formulations, MIS reports, and foreign collaborated technology. This data is used (read scattered) on Servers, Desktops, Laptops, Tablets, and Mobiles. The Scatteredness of data on multiple devices multiplies the risk of data loss and duplication. It complicates backup activities. Perfect data centralization is essential to prevent data loss, maintain business continuity, facilitate collaboration, and simplify backup activities.
How is Data Centralization achieved Traditionally, and what are the problems?
Most enterprises use File Servers, NAS Devices, or Cloud Drives to centralize the data. Most IT managers instruct users to do the following.
Always save data on a File Server or NAS or Cloud
Never save data on local storage
Do not change cloud drive settings
When they are in the office, they should backup data from their laptops to a server, NAS, Cloud
This never happens perfectly. Here, users can choose whether to save data on the server, NAS, or cloud or keep it on their local storage. It is too democratic to be dependable.
Consequences of Democratic Data Centralization
There are serious possibilities, as listed below.
Important data may never be backed up because it was never copied to a server, NAS, or Cloud storage.
If such a laptop or desktop crashes or is affected by ransomware, all data is gone.
Data becomes dirty and duplicated. Every device has the same data in different versions.
User can change cloud storage settings and starts backing up on personal cloud storage leading to data leakage of the enterprise’s intellectual property.
Unfolding Forced Centralization
Imagine a technology that acts as a server on Cloud or on-premise and resides as an endpoint on a desktop or laptop. Imagine you can define where each user can save data on central storage. For example, your design user working on certain projects can save data only on a certain location on central storage (on Cloud or on a VPN in LAN). Whenever the user opens a save dialog box on any software installed on his computer, he will be allowed to save data on a predefined central location (on Cloud, on VPN, or in LAN) only. This will centralize all the data at a central location, simplify your backup activity, avoid duplication, and, most importantly, spares the enterprise from the mercy of users who may or may not save data on central storage.
Yes, DLPbox technology can enforce data centralization from desktops and laptops, which File Servers, NAS, and Cloud Storage can’t.
It can work as a superfast File Server, VPN Server, and Cloud Storage. It leaves no choice for the users to be able to save data at any place other than specified central storage or cloud storage.
This is one of the 50 discerning features of DLPbox, which solves a genuine problem, and breaks the notion of democratic centralization on File Servers, NAS, and Cloud Storage.