IBM says its new invention will help enterprises improve how they manage cloud data across multiple geographies
IBM has patented a technique to help IT outfits automatically analyse and manage the location of cloud data, which it claims will improve how they comply with local data protection and data sovereignty regulations.
Over the past couple of years IBM has unveiled a slew of cloud-focused patents covering techniques related primarily to managing the flow of data, virtual machines, and networking resources dynamically.
The recently announced method (Geographic governance of data over clouds: U.S. patent #8,676,593) allows users to dynamically choose or change the location where cloud data resides over both private and public clouds.
The company said the method serves as a “smart routing device” for cloud-based data. It essentially allows companies to mark or tag their data and use a single management system to store files and data in the designated locations.
“During the early years of cloud computing, it was evident that storing and accessing business data across geographically dispersed cloud computing environments could present logistical and regulatory challenges,” said Sandeep Ramesh Patil, an IBM researcher and co-inventor of the patent.
“Our team of inventors designed a system that will allow businesses to efficiently manage and move data in the cloud, while meeting required compliance mandates in different countries,” he said.
The company said the invention will allow enterprises to more effectively manage and govern their data over multiple geographies and multiple cloud platforms, allowing them to apply rules on where data is stored based on local data security and data sovereignty requirements.
IBM’s announcement comes at a time when enterprises seem more concerned than ever about data sovereignty and data protection in the cloud. According to a poll of 410 enterprises conducted by Business Cloud News, 45 per cent of respondents indicated concerns over data protection and data sovereignty to be the leading factors holding them back from adopting cloud-based services.
