Data Protection & Storage News

Summary

This week’s news highlights advancements in cyber resilience, cloud integration, and storage optimization. NetApp focuses on performance and security with its new storage systems, while Commvault enhances its cloud backup and recovery offerings. Lucidity secures funding to tackle cloud storage waste with its automated optimization solution.

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** Main Story**

Data Protection and Storage Advancements Dominate the Week of February 14

The week of February 14th saw significant activity in the data protection and storage landscape, with major players like NetApp and Commvault announcing updates and a newcomer, Lucidity, gaining traction. These developments highlight the growing importance of cyber resilience, cloud integration, and efficient storage utilization in today’s digital environment.

NetApp Bolsters Storage Performance and Security

NetApp has been busy enhancing its storage portfolio to address the evolving needs of businesses. The company has released new models in its AFF A-Series, including the A20, A30, and A50, focusing on performance, scalability, and affordability. These systems boast sub-millisecond latency, improved storage density, and integrated real-time ransomware protection with impressive accuracy. This commitment to cyber resilience is further emphasized by AI-powered ransomware protection enhancements and a robust recovery program.

NetApp also refreshed its enterprise storage portfolio with new ASA A-Series all-flash arrays, FAS hybrid flash systems, and EF-Series high-performance SANs. The FAS systems are designed for cost-effective data lifecycle management, automatically tiering cold data to lower-cost storage. They also provide a secure cyber vault for recovery from ransomware attacks. Updates to Cloud Volumes ONTAP, including Autonomous Ransomware Protection (ARP) and WORM functionality, are available at no additional cost. Azure NetApp Files has gained new features for cost-effective pricing and enhanced reliability, including cool access auto-tiering and cross-zone replication.

Commvault Enhances Cloud Backup and Recovery

Commvault has expanded its partnership with Google Cloud by launching Commvault Cloud Backup & Recovery for Google Workspace. This solution offers comprehensive protection for Gmail, Google Drive, and Shared Drives, ensuring data safety, compliance, and recoverability. It leverages the simplicity of SaaS and integrates with Google Cloud Storage for extensive protection across various workloads.

Commvault also announced Cloud Rewind for its Commvault Cloud platform, providing granular and specific recoveries from cyberattacks. Additional updates include expanded AWS backup support and a new Cyber Resilience Dashboard for assessing ransomware readiness. The company rebranded its Metallic SaaS data protection service as Commvault Cloud, strengthening its cloud-based offerings.

Lucidity Tackles Cloud Storage Waste

Lucidity, a cloud storage optimization startup, has secured $21 million in Series A funding. The company’s automated solution promises up to 70% cost savings for enterprises by dynamically adjusting storage volumes based on real-time demands. Lucidity’s NoOps approach eliminates the need for code changes, simplifying integration with existing environments. The company, founded in 2021, has experienced 400% year-over-year growth and works with Fortune 500 companies across various industries. With offices in India, Abu Dhabi, London, and the U.S., Lucidity is poised to expand its market presence and product development.

Industry Trends and Future Outlook

These recent developments underscore several key trends in the data protection and storage industry:

• Increased Focus on Cyber Resilience: With the growing threat of ransomware and other cyberattacks, organizations are prioritizing robust data protection solutions that offer rapid recovery capabilities.
• Cloud Integration and Management: As businesses increasingly rely on cloud services, seamless integration and simplified management of hybrid and multi-cloud environments are becoming crucial.
• Storage Optimization and Cost Efficiency: With the explosion of data, optimizing storage utilization and minimizing cloud costs are top priorities for enterprises.

The data protection and storage landscape continues to evolve rapidly, with innovation driven by the need for enhanced security, cloud adoption, and cost-effectiveness. As of today, February 25, 2025, these trends are shaping the future of the industry, and we can expect further advancements in the coming months.