Primera Technology has introduced the OptiVault Archival Appliance. OptiVault is an automated, robotically-controlled appliance that backs up and recovers e-mail and other critical data onto robust and affordable optical media. The device operates unobtrusively in the background of Microsoft-based servers. It backs up and easily recovers a wide range of critical data, including all e-mails sent, received and deleted including attachments.
Because OptiVault uses non-erasable, non-rewritable DVD optical media that can be stored off-site, it provides true WORM (Write Once Read Many) compliance. This specification is critical for publicly held corporations, health care, brokerage, financial institutions and others who are required to meet strict e-mail, data and document retention requirements.
OptiVault is designed for a wide range of environments that may already be using a variety of primary backup methods such as tape, disc-to-disc or RAID. It interfaces to the server(s) through a single high-speed USB 2.0 port and can be optionally rack mounted.
During the backup sequence, discs are automatically loaded into OptiVault’s built-in, high-speed recorder. Then, each member of the backup set is printed direct-to-disc with serialization and other identifying information for fast and easy cataloguing and retrieval. Files for backup and archival can be sourced not only from the server, but also from networked client computers running Windows, Mac OS, Linux, Solaris and Netware.
The lockable front panel door keeps the media and robotics safe and secure. Two integrated blue LED light clusters illuminate the interior of the unit. Included with OptiVault is EMC Dantz Restrospect, Single Server Edition with Restrospect Agent for Exchange. Optional software agents are available for backup of SQL, open files and disaster recovery. The Disaster Recovery Agent recovers servers to the most recent system state down to the “bare-metal” level, saving time and effort in true disaster recovery situations.
For use with OptiVault, Primera offers a new high-quality, printable surface DVD called TuffCoat Archival Media. TuffCoat Archival Media has a 50+ year data life, extremely low error rates and a far lower cost per GB than virtually all tape-based solutions. The OptiVault Archival Appliance is priced at $3,495.
Home Data Protection Triggers Opportunities
Consumers are not very different from commercial IT users when it comes to data protection, IDC uncovered in its latest primary research into the home data protection market, “Home Data Protection, 2005,” (IDC No. 33817). They have substantial concerns about possible data loss of their digital information and believe they should protect their growing catalogs of PC, image, music and video assets. Fully understanding this need is an emerging business opportunity for commercial storage suppliers.
Among the biggest consumer concerns are:
• Malicious acts — hacking, theft, and viruses — no matter what the source of data.
• Losing data stored on the PC, much more than camera images, MP3/iPod music or TiVo/DVR programs.
“The home data protection market is in the pioneering/early-adopter phase,” said Robert Gray, vice president, Worldwide Storage Systems Research. “It is still early for broadly successful products for consumers’ emerging and unique requirements. Further characterization is easily justified to better understand the expanding opportunity.”
Panda Releases Beta New Corporate Solutions
Panda Software has announced the availability of the first public beta version of its new range of protection systems against Internet threats aimed at companies. Continuing with its protection innovation effort and constant improvement of its protection for companies, Panda Software has included in this version the new Panda ClientShield with TruPrevent Technologies. This is a complete host intrusion prevention system (HIPS) for workstations and laptops.
This complete solution integrates antivirus protection, antispyware protection, personal firewall and anti-spam and anti-phishing protection, along with proactive TruPrevent Technologies, providing an integral protection system to combat both known and unknown threats.
Network administrators that would like to try these solutions can do so by signing up for the Panda Software beta program at http://www.pandasoftware.com/download/beta.
Anti-Phishing Working Group’s New Report
The Anti-Phishing Working Group and SRI International have released a report mapping the spectrum of current and future technology solutions to combat Internet fraud, or “phishing” schemes. The report, “Online Identity Theft: Technology, Chokepoints and Countermeasures,” was commissioned by the US Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Directorate, and managed and reviewed by SRI International. It is available for download at: http://www.antiphishing.org/Phishing-dhs-report.pdf.
Intended for technical practitioners, researchers and security executives, the report offers a comprehensive survey, developed by independent research organization Radix Labs and analysis of counter-phishing technology. The report details technologies used by online identity thieves, or “phishers,” and explores technologies that could dramatically reduce financial losses and consumer distrust.
