While technology constantly improves over time, a new idea has the potential to transform the entire information technology (IT) landscape.

One of the more recent concepts reshaping IT is hyper-convergence.

If your business uses data centers or servers, then you may have already heard of these systems. But, what exactly is hyper-convergence and how might it affect your business security in the future? Read on to learn more about this IT movement.

What Is Hyperconvergence?

A traditional data center and network architecture uses devices, such as desktop computers, connected through a network to one or more servers. These servers allow employees to access stored data and business applications. But, in order to scale up or upgrade their data storage, businesses need to purchase more hardware. This requires administrators for regular maintenance, and additional servers in case the first one fails.

Searching for a more convenient way to store and access data, businesses discovered the concept of hyper-converged infrastructures (HCI). HCIs reduce the amount of hardware with a more software-focused architecture, while integrating several servers into one main building block.

Typically, the standard for traditional data migration is to have a storage area network (SAN), which houses the virtual machines (VM), a group of hosts (the servers where the VMs operate) and networking devices that act like roads, moving that data back and forth between hosts. With hyper-convergence, those three components are eliminated and converged into one device.

Ultimately, hyper-convergence provides for a more dynamic and scalable business infrastructure.

How Can Hyperconvergence Affect Your Business Security?

So how will hyper-convergence affect your business security in the future?

  • First, HCIs integrate all components into one single platform. This means reduced administration and maintenance.
  • Second, because there is only one platform, there is a more straightforward cyber security model, as opposed to the three different models for three different components (SAN, server, network) found in traditional designs.
  • Third, if the HCI were to suffer a cyber attack, a business would need an IT architect familiar with mitigating risks of hyper-convergence.

How Can You Secure Your Business?

With any new technology, certain cyber security safeguards must be implemented to ensure your business is secure. To do this, consider the following:

  • Encrypt critical data to ensure protection from third-party access.
  • Back up data to prevent losing important information in the event of a cyber attack.
  • Conduct a cyber threat assessment to uncover weaknesses in your system.
  • Limit access to your network and devices to only those who require it.
  • Review company policies to ensure employees understand the importance of network security.

Cyber security is a collaborative effort between you, your employees, your security vendor and your IT department. Before implementing a new technology like hyper-convergence, consult your IT staff and security provider to reduce the risk of a cyber attack.

For more information on how your IT department can effectively work with loss prevention professionals, download our free whitepaper.