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Enabling secure AI innovation

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Piet Sawvel
Piet Sawvel
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In the race to harness AI, it’s critical to put security first. In 2023, about 35% of malware was delivered through email, making it the most common channel for such threats.[1] That year, business email compromise attacks amounted to $2.9 billion in losses.[2] With DDoS and ransomware attacks proliferating, it’s essential to effectively balance AI innovation and security. 

At the NetApp INSIGHT® 2024 conference, the “Meet the Moment — Smarts & Security” discussion featured NetApp AI specialist Hoseb Dermanilian and executives from business forecasting, financial analytics, and IT services companies. Panelists shed light on how organizations can embed intelligence into their infrastructure while maintaining stringent security protocols.

The rising importance of secure AI

Organizations must learn to use AI without compromising security. “Many businesses treat AI and security like a double-edged sword,” said NetApp Senior Director, Global Head of AI Sales & Go to Market, Hoseb Dermanilian. “If your data is very secure, you might feel much safer from threats, but you get locked in. You stop innovating. On the other hand, pushing projects too far and fast without harnessing the benefits of intelligent data infrastructure can put everything at risk.”

Simplifying AI projects

Speakers stressed the importance of eliminating infrastructure silos, which can add complexity to AI workloads.

The solution? Streamlining a scalable architecture for seamless data flows across applications and IT environments. A unified approach to data management is crucial to simplify workflows and improve efficiency. NetApp® ONTAP® data management software can help unify disaggregated systems.

Simplifying operations

Panelists shared how NetApp capabilities eased operations, using AI to automate data classification, movement, and services across hybrid multicloud environments. Speakers agreed that improved observability can deliver operational consistency—and maintain uptime and availability. 

Internal innovation

Balancing the needs of internal users, especially developers, with customer demands for innovation is a challenge. One company is solving this by adopting a “shift left” development approach. NetApp Astra can help streamline the software development lifecycle, facilitating code scanning, quality checks, and design reviews. An early focus on quality helps reduce software vulnerabilities.

Smarts in data management

Data is the lifeblood of AI workloads. NetApp embeds intelligence directly into data infrastructure, allowing businesses to overcome operational bottlenecks and scale their AI efforts more effectively.

Addressing the challenges of juggling multiple vendors, speakers are turning to native solutions, such as moving encryption in-house, streamlining processes, and keeping a single point of contact for reliable support. Each company is focused on operational efficiency while cautiously implementing AI technologies.

Panelists said the more data and vendors proliferate, the harder management becomes. How do you counter that sprawl? One company turned to NetApp Keystone®, a unified, pay-as-you-go storage solution that simplifies management with a single subscription service.

Security in AI environments

Compromised infrastructure can be a critical risk: If your data estate is taken offline or your customers’ key systems go down, that can be an existential threat to your company.

NetApp’s approach includes strict access controls and built-in security features like real-time anomaly detection. With these applied, operations can continue smoothly even in the face of potential threats. Speakers expressed keen interest in centrally managing vast amounts of data and AI’s potential to detect and quarantine ransomware faster than human operators. AI-powered ransomware protection is native in NetApp ONTAP software.

Infrastructure observability and rapid recovery capabilities are critical. NetApp solutions provide continuous monitoring and quick data recovery, minimizing disruptions.

A panelist said his company has more than 20 services collecting metrics. How can they integrate all this data for full-stack visibility? NetApp Active IQ, which collects telemetry data and uses AI/ML to identify risks and opportunities for improvement, could be a solution that provides a holistic view across their estate.

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Looking ahead

To scale AI initiatives effectively, it’s essential to manage complex workloads, streamline data management, and maintain data protection. By prioritizing both innovation and security, you can achieve sustained growth and maintain a competitive edge.


[1] Verizon, “2023 Data Breach Investigations Report,” May 2023.

[2] Federal Bureau of Investigation, “Internet Crime Report 2023,” March 2024.

Piet Sawvel

Piet Sawvel is a storyteller who elevates NetApp cloud solutions, flash storage, and sustainability initiatives. For more than 20 years, he’s led digital marketing efforts and crafted customer-focused narratives for IBM and NetApp. A Colorado native, he’s enticed by feral singletrack, untracked powder, and natural hot springs.

View all Posts by Piet Sawvel

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