Dell’s PowerStore Gets a Security and DevOps Revamp

Dell Inc., the Texas-based IT equipment and software manufacturer, recently announced security-focused product updates. However, most updates are coming to the manufacturer’s flash-based storage array line, PowerStore. 

Scheduled to be available from June 2023, the new updates to the storage line will see the adoption of the Zero Trust model, integrations with DevOps supporting tools like Terraform and Ansible, and features that make the equipment compliant with the US government’s security standard. 

With these new updates, Dell’s PowerStore will arguably be one of the best storage solutions for mission-critical applications. It will also be one of the most secure storage options for enterprises and data centers in the market currently. 

The announcement came when major original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) shifted focus to security through hardware and software-based innovations. Essentially, they are just addressing the growing demand for enhanced security in the market. A whopping 58% of CEOs in a PwC survey consider cyber risks as the most concerning threat to business operations. 

New Security and Compliance Features

The new security features in PowerStore will aid enterprises in adopting Zero Trust architecture, an advanced security architecture that uses continuous verification to verify and authenticate users. 

Simply put, Dell is taking the storage offering’s security capabilities to the next level. In that regard, here’s what’s coming:

• STIG Hardening: Security Technical Implementation Guides (STIGs) help meet the security configuration standards the US Federal Government (Department of Defense) sets. With STIG hardening, the storage array complies with the NIST Cyber Security Framework. This framework is mandatory for government agencies to implement. So PowerStore can be employed in US government-owned data centers.
  
  
• Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): The administrative access to the storage is protected by MFA, so only authorized parties can access it at any time. 
  
  
• Immutable Snapshots: The secure and immutable snapshots would make a recovery virtually uncompromisable. In other words, backups cannot be deleted or modified by attackers. 
  
  
• Streamlined File Permissions and Increased Resiliency: With four times more snapshots for each system and direct file permissions management, PowerStore makes it easier for administrators to respond to threats and attacks immediately and recover everything, from files to configuration settings. 

Many of the new security features are governed by the software controlling the hardware, indicating how OEMs are leveraging software-defined capabilities to enhance the role of hardware in the overall fabric of cybersecurity. 

More Backup Options and DevOps Integrations

In addition to robust security for PowerStore, Dell is introducing native integrations to PowerProtect, the data management system to support the storage hardware. PowerStore integrates with Dell’s hardware and software-defined data security products more readily. As a result, it’s faster and easier to configure backups with the PowerStore interface. 

What are the implications of this feature? Enterprises can use efficient, cost-effective archiving that doesn’t require as much capacity or power. 

Dell also announced integrations with Terraform and Ansible, open-source frameworks for DevOps workers. Through these integrations, Dell allows DevOps teams to use storage automation tools and create automated processes for provisioning storage with minimal coding. 

Furthermore, the storage equipment will maximize energy efficiency with the new OS update for PowerStore. PowerStore will give 60% higher I/O operations per second per watt with the latest update. 

Dell has also obtained Energy Star certification for two models in the lineup, PowerStore 500 and PowerStore 1000. However, those already owning these two models don’t necessarily need to refresh the hardware, as this storage is already energy-efficient. 

All the new features are free for existing customers, and prices remain unchanged. 

Focus on Security Becoming OEM Priority

The fresh slew of features announced for PowerStore announced by Dell point to the general theme in the tech industry right now. Companies are focusing on improving security at every network layer, from hardware vendors to software makers. 

The digital landscape is evolving as technology companies adapt to the increasing sophistication of attacks, and hardware security is paramount to address the cybersecurity challenges. 

Many leading tech manufacturers and vendors, like Dell, are investing significantly in robust security solutions for hardware lineups. The increasingly stringent data privacy requirements also pressure companies to take security even more seriously. Meta Platforms Inc., the parent company of social media giant Facebook, was recently fined $1.3 billion by Irish regulators for breaching data privacy in the European Union. 

Intel Corp., one of the world’s premier technology manufacturers, heavily invests in security advancement, particularly at the hardware layer. For instance, Intel’s hardware shield technology, part of the vPro platform, delivers built-in security features at BIOS and below, adding another layer of security. 

Similarly, Microsoft Corp., known for its software innovations, is dabbling with the hardware side, focusing on security. Its Pluton security processor, designed in collaboration with chip makers Advanced Micro Devices Inc., Intel, and Qualcomm Technologies Inc., provides comprehensive hardware and software integration. This chip is designed to handle sensitive tasks while keeping data separate from the main processor. 

Another notable example of innovation in hardware-based security is Cigent’s self-defending SSD which leverages the power of artificial intelligence to detect and stop attacks. 

In short, tech companies are pushing the boundaries of hardware security, enabling enterprises that rely on physical infrastructure to shore up their defenses against increasingly mature threats. 

Find Secure Storage Equipment With PivIT

Security is now a top priority for data centers and service providers looking to refresh hardware, especially where critical data is stored. PivIT’s procurement services can help you find the necessary storage equipment with all the bells and whistles of security. Whether you want to stick with your existing OEM or branch out with another brand, PivIT can source the equipment of your choice. 

Refreshing or adding new storage is a costly endeavor, not to mention time-consuming, with longer than usual lead times lately. PivIT can be your procurement partner and help you navigate the process of acquiring the latest in hardware at a bargain. 

With savings of up to 60%, large enterprises can reduce their CapEx bill by a significant margin. Those savings can be diverted toward bettering security with more hands on deck and advanced training.

Learn more about buying storage gear with PivIT!