In the rapidly evolving landscape of data storage, the government and aerospace sectors stand out due to their critical need for secure, scalable, and adaptable solutions. This case study delves into the innovative solutions provided by 45Drives, a pioneering company in the open-source data storage systems space. The insights provided by Dr. Doug Milburn, President and Co-Founder of 45Drives, and Brandon Graham, Director of IT and Security at ProtoSpace Mfg, highlight the transformative impact of these solutions on data security, scalability, and adaptability in these high-stakes industries.
The Open Source Revolution in Government Data Storage
Traditionally, government agencies and aerospace manufacturers have relied heavily on proprietary storage solutions. However, there is a significant shift toward open-source technology driven by the need for greater flexibility and cost efficiency. Dr. Milburn emphasizes that government organizations, in particular, are moving away from rigid, expensive proprietary systems in favor of open-source solutions that offer greater customization. He states, "Governments are increasingly turning to open source solutions because they offer flexibility and cost-efficiency that proprietary options simply can’t match."
The adoption of open-source data storage platforms, such as those offered by 45Drives, allows organizations to tailor their infrastructure to meet specific needs. Brandon Graham shares how ProtoSpace’s collaboration with 45Drives has enabled the company to integrate open-source technologies like Ceph. This integration has allowed them to better align with their clients’ storage protocols while enhancing security and risk management capabilities. Graham notes, "Open source is more adaptable, allowing us to integrate with modern governmental data storage protocols, which improves both security and risk management. The fact that these solutions are customizable is huge for us."
Open-source solutions present a myriad of benefits, especially when combined with advanced cybersecurity measures. As government institutions and aerospace companies strive to protect sensitive information, open-source platforms offer the adaptability and transparency needed to meet ever-changing requirements. 45Drives’ expertise in this area provides a solid foundation for organizations that need to maintain high standards of security while also managing large volumes of data. It’s clear that the shift towards open-source is not just a trend but a necessary evolution in managing and safeguarding critical information.
Ransomware Defense: A Critical Component
Ransomware has emerged as one of the most urgent threats to the government and aerospace sectors, which handle vast volumes of sensitive data, making them prime targets for cybercriminals. Traditional defenses often fall short in today’s fast-evolving landscape, as they typically respond only after an attack has begun. This reactive approach leaves organizations vulnerable to significant data loss and operational disruptions. Therefore, proactive strategies are essential in protecting against such threats.
To address this critical issue, 45Drives developed SnapShield, the world’s first ransomware-activated fuse. SnapShield leverages real-time behavioral analysis to detect and neutralize ransomware attacks within milliseconds, providing essential protection for users’ storage infrastructure without impacting performance. This advanced tool continuously monitors server traffic for suspicious behavior, disconnecting compromised clients from the server to halt further data corruption. SnapShield maintains detailed logs of malicious actions and offers a restore function to recover affected files quickly. It seamlessly integrates with existing security protocols and is compatible with 45Drives storage systems running ZFS or Ceph with Windows file sharing.
The proactive capabilities of SnapShield have proven essential for ProtoSpace, which manages large amounts of sensitive aerospace and government data. Dr. Milburn explains, "We use real-time behavior analysis to stop unauthorized data extraction in milliseconds. By the time an attacker realizes they’ve been thwarted, we’ve already prevented the damage." Brandon Graham emphasizes the importance of this feature, particularly for protecting aerospace data. He states, "45Drives’ tools give us confidence that we’re doing everything possible to protect ourselves and our clients. Being able to detect ransomware through real-time behavioral changes and file manipulation has been a game-changer for us." With SnapShield, ProtoSpace now has a robust predictive defense, safeguarding critical data and reinforcing their operational security and resilience.
Navigating CMMC Compliance with Open Source Solutions
For organizations working with federal agencies, compliance with the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) is non-negotiable. Achieving and maintaining CMMC certification requires stringent measures to protect sensitive data, presenting a significant challenge, particularly for companies transitioning to open-source platforms. Dr. Milburn emphasizes that while CMMC compliance can feel daunting, open-source technology can make the certification process more manageable. He explains that the transparency and adaptability of open-source solutions allow businesses to meet cybersecurity standards more efficiently and flexibly.
45Drives offers CMMC consulting services to complement their existing offerings, helping customers streamline CMMC compliance. Dr. Milburn notes, "What people don’t often realize is that open-source tech can make the CMMC certification process much more accessible. It’s secure, adaptable, and far more transparent than many proprietary systems." ProtoSpace relies on 45Drives to maintain its CMMC compliance, ensuring adherence to federal cybersecurity standards. Graham highlights that 45Drives’ infrastructure not only facilitates achieving compliance but also simplifies the process of adapting to evolving regulations. He adds, "45Drives’ infrastructure helps us meet federal cybersecurity standards and ensures ongoing compliance as those standards evolve."
The journey towards CMMC compliance can be complex, but with the right tools and expertise, organizations can achieve and maintain the required standards. Open-source technologies, supported by knowledgeable partners like 45Drives, provide a pathway to compliance that is not only efficient but also adaptable to future changes in regulations. This adaptability is crucial as cybersecurity threats continue to evolve, necessitating ongoing vigilance and flexibility in security measures.
Ceph Armor: An Innovative Approach to Storage Security
Ceph, a flexible, open-source, and scalable clustered storage solution, has become popular in both commercial and academic sectors for its reliability. However, it has lacked native block and file encryption, presenting a potential vulnerability for users with high data confidentiality needs. To address this gap, 45Drives partnered with the University of New Brunswick (UNB) to develop CephArmor, an innovative project that brings native object-level encryption to Ceph clusters. Led by UNB’s Faculty of Computer Science, this pioneering project is a significant leap forward in securing data on Ceph clusters, adding crucial protection against unauthorized access.
CephArmor strengthens Ceph’s Reliable Autonomic Distributed Object Store (RADOS) by implementing object-level encryption. This ensures data is encrypted before storage, effectively shielding it from unauthorized access. The project aims to integrate this encryption seamlessly without compromising Ceph’s trademark performance and scalability, which are key reasons organizations rely on it globally.
Development and testing for CephArmor are conducted on 45Drives’ Storinator hardware, a robust commercial storage system designed for efficiency and reliability. Initial evaluations show that CephArmor maintains Ceph’s high-performance standards, even with the added security layer, making it a powerful solution for organizations needing both speed and advanced data security. Dr. Doug Milburn’s comprehensive knowledge of hardware, software, and 45Drives consulting services exemplifies a forward-thinking approach to data storage strategies. As demands for security, compliance, and efficiency increase, especially in government operations, 45Drives is shaping the future of secure data storage. Milburn highlights, "CephArmor is a new security layer we’re building on the Ceph platform that greatly enhances its capabilities. This advancement has made Ceph a much stronger option for government use, which is why we’re seeing a surge in interest."
By adding encryption at the object level, CephArmor addresses a critical need for many organizations that rely on Ceph for their storage solutions. This innovation not only enhances the security of stored data but also preserves the high performance and reliability that users have come to expect from Ceph. The collaboration between 45Drives and UNB demonstrates the potential of combining academic research with practical applications to create cutting-edge solutions that meet the demands of modern data management.
The Future of Data Storage: Open Source Innovation
In the ever-changing world of data storage, the government and aerospace sectors are particularly notable for their vital requirement for secure, scalable, and flexible solutions. This case study examines the groundbreaking contributions of 45Drives, a trailblazer in open-source data storage systems. Insights from Dr. Doug Milburn, President and Co-Founder of 45Drives, alongside Brandon Graham, Director of IT and Security at ProtoSpace Mfg, shed light on the profound effects these solutions have had on data security, scalability, and adaptability within these high-stakes fields. Dr. Milburn and Graham emphasize how 45Drives’ innovations have addressed the unique challenges faced by government and aerospace organizations, ensuring not only robust security protocols but also the capacity to scale efficiently and adapt to evolving demands. This case study reveals the practicality and effectiveness of open-source solutions in meeting the stringent requirements of industries where data integrity and accessibility are of utmost importance.