ASTEC Co., Ltd. strengthens security and streamlines operations with NetApp Data Infrastructure Insights

For IT solutions provider ASTEC Co., Ltd., delivering robust and reliable infrastructure to mid-sized companies across Japan is the core of its business. As a key NetApp partner, the company specializes in building and managing IT systems, with a deep understanding of the security and operational challenges its customers face. To enhance its own service offerings and provide greater value, ASTEC Co., Ltd. adopted NetApp Data Infrastructure Insights, leveraging its powerful Storage Workload Security feature to gain critical visibility into data environments.

Uncovering the hidden gaps of user activity

ASTEC Co., Ltd.'s customers, particularly those in the mid-market, often lack the extensive internal security teams and complex toolsets of larger enterprises. This creates a critical need for solutions that are both powerful and straightforward to manage. They identified a common visibility gap and found that while they could see file names within a NetApp environment, understanding user activity such as who accessed what, when, and how remained a challenge.

This lack of granular insight made it difficult to troubleshoot operational errors, investigate suspicious activity, or identify outdated assets cluttering the system. For instance, when a file was locked, identifying the specific user responsible was a time-consuming, manual process. ASTEC Co., Ltd. needed a way to monitor user behavior effectively, not just for security, but to improve overall data hygiene and operational efficiency for its clients. They sought a tool that could provide clear, actionable information without requiring a dedicated security team to operate.

A clearer view with centralized monitoring

ASTEC Co., Ltd. turned to NetApp Data Infrastructure Insights and its integrated Storage Workload Security feature. This provided the team with a centralized console for monitoring user activity across their NetApp ONTAP^® environments. Storage Workload Security gave them the ability to track data access, identify who last touched a file, and filter activity by specific parameters, such as file extension.

“The user behavior detection enables basic forensic capabilities, like tracking data deletion events,” said Daisuke Takagi, General Manager of Business Development at ASTEC Co., Ltd. This simple yet powerful function transformed their ability to respond to incidents. Rather than digging through disparate logs, they could use Storage Workload Security to quickly get to the root cause of an issue. Alerts from Data Infrastructure Insights also proved to be a key operational benefit. "If an email notification is triggered, it clearly signals that some kind of action is needed," said Daisuke Takagi. "This simple mechanism ensures timely awareness and enables a prompt response."

This capability allowed ASTEC Co., Ltd. to use Storage Workload Security as a proactive monitoring tool, particularly for identifying operational errors and ensuring that employees were handling data appropriately.

Stronger security, smarter operations

By implementing Data Infrastructure Insights, ASTEC Co., Ltd. significantly improved its ability to manage and secure customer storage workloads. The solution empowered them to move from a reactive to a more proactive stance on data governance and security.

One of the most significant benefits was the newfound visibility into user activity. "Improved visibility allows us to capture logs for individuals requiring close attention, enabling immediate response," said Daisuke Takagi. When suspicious activity was flagged, they could follow up directly with the user, creating a culture of accountability and making users aware that their actions were being monitored. This strengthened the overall security posture for their customers.

The solution also delivered tangible operational efficiencies. For example, ASTEC Co., Ltd. used Storage Workload Security to filter by file extension to surface old, unconverted Excel files, helping clients identify and manage outdated assets. This capability to track who locked a file or was the last to access it streamlined troubleshooting and reduced the time spent on manual investigations.

Where data meets confidence

For ASTEC Co., Ltd., the Storage Workload Security feature is an essential component of their NetApp proposals, especially for small and mid-sized businesses. While large enterprises may have their own complex security stacks, they find that Storage Workload Security provides a realistic and essential layer of data protection for customers. Its ability to immediately suspend access and take snapshots when a risk is detected ensures customers feel their data is safeguarded in real time.

By integrating Data Infrastructure Insights into its operations, ASTEC Co., Ltd. not only enhances its service offerings but also provides its customers with the confidence that their data is being actively monitored and protected, ensuring stronger security and operational peace of mind.