Cloud Enterprises: Why Resolving Data Fragmentation Should Be a Top Priority

The escalation of ransomware attacks has reached a level where it’s no longer just an IT problem—it has become a critical concern discussed in corporate boardrooms worldwide.

As the volume of data generated each year increases dramatically, managing this vast amount of information has become a significant challenge. The growing adoption of diverse cloud solutions from different providers, each offering unique infrastructures, further complicates the landscape. This includes a blend of on-premises systems and edge computing, which has resulted in a major issue: data fragmentation.

The Nexus of Data Management, Security, and Analytics

A long-standing debate continues about whether security is part of data management or simply an extension of backup and recovery. The reality is that security forms an essential part of a holistic data management strategy. Most organizations start with backing up their data, but as they evolve, they focus on securing it and leveraging it for broader business use. Focusing solely on security confines enterprises to protecting data, but modern organizations must go beyond that, which has driven the rise of advanced data management.

The iceberg analogy is useful in illustrating the scope of comprehensive data management compared to traditional security and backup. Companies often manage, secure, and analyze the visible "tip" of the iceberg—the active data—while a vast amount of archived or cold data remains unseen beneath the surface. Effectively managing this hidden data can provide enormous benefits and opportunities for organizations.

Transitioning to Supercloud

As enterprise computing shifts—whether through hybrid multi-cloud architectures, advanced data management systems, or the growing trend of Supercloud—organizations must adapt to the increasing complexity of their IT environments. Supercloud, in particular, aims to simplify these complexities, allowing companies to streamline their operations in a more unified manner.

To stay competitive, enterprises must deliver consistent experiences across various cloud platforms, with a focus on efficient data management, seamless migration, and robust analytics at scale.

Four Essential Actions to Address Data Fragmentation

The widespread adoption of cloud-based applications has significantly benefited businesses, especially with the rise of remote work. However, this shift has also introduced challenges, particularly in managing the growing volume of fragmented data. Here are four actionable steps companies can take to address these challenges:

1. Strengthen Data Governance Begin by thoroughly identifying and classifying your data, focusing particularly on sensitive information like financial data and client details. It is vital to know who controls the data and where it is stored to ensure that data governance policies are comprehensive. Drafting policies is only the first step—consistent enforcement is necessary to maintain control.
2. Cultivate a Culture of Data Security and Integrity The actions employees take within workplace applications contribute valuable business knowledge. Yet, because many collaboration tools are intuitive and easy to use, employees may forget they’re working within a professional environment. Continuous education on secure data sharing, storage practices, and guidelines for recording sensitive information is crucial.
3. Harness the Power of Automation Manually managing unstructured data introduces the risk of human error and consumes significant resources. Embracing machine learning technology can help automate the classification, retention, and archiving of data, reducing errors and improving efficiency.
4. Unify Data Silos for Enhanced Discoverability Breaking down data silos is essential for improving data accessibility and utilization. Implement systems that connect diverse data sources, consolidating them into a unified repository. This enables employees to search across multiple datasets simultaneously, streamlining the process and improving productivity.

As some organizations continue to resist fully embracing digital transformation, the sheer volume of cloud-based data will continue to increase. With that growth comes the escalating difficulty of managing and retrieving essential information, which poses a risk to the insights that businesses rely on. Instead of seeing data fragmentation as a threat, organizations should view it as an opportunity to innovate, improve, and revolutionize their data management strategies.