#United Kingdom #Hitachi Vantara #Canterbury #Data Resilience #University of Kent

University of Kent Enhances Digital Resilience with Hitachi Vantara

The University of Kent, which prides itself on a robust educational framework and research excellence, has recently partnered with Hitachi Vantara to bolster its digital infrastructure through advanced data storage solutions. This collaboration aims at ensuring uninterrupted service continuity and robust data availability for the university’s community, which includes 17,000 students and numerous academic staff.

As traditional storage solutions near the end of their lifecycle, Kent identified the need for a dependable, high-performance storage approach capable of sustaining the vast array of applications they support. The University manages around 300 applications, critical for its students and faculty, as well as specialized IT requirements, such as those involved in cutting-edge scientific research, notably genetic sequencing. Amid the growing threat of cyberattacks — with the National Cyber Security Centre reporting four significant attacks weekly — it has become imperative for educational institutions to enhance their cyber defenses and ensure operational continuity.

To achieve this, the University of Kent opted for Hitachi Vantara's Virtual Storage Platform One (VSP One), facilitated by their longstanding partner, Trustmarque. This pioneering architecture is poised to deliver scalable, high-performance block storage, supporting essential digital services while also addressing the cybersecurity challenges that come with modern data management. The project aligns with Kent's broader digital transition strategy, which encompasses the establishment of three cutting-edge data centers.

The Hitachi VSP One solution brings in several innovative technologies, including replication across multiple sites, immutable snapshot backups, and advanced backup services through Veeam. This state-of-the-art infrastructure allows seamless data replication and swift disaster recovery, ensuring the integrity and accessibility of University data.

Darren Chapman, Infrastructure Development Manager at the University of Kent, noted, “The collaboration with Hitachi Vantara and Trustmarque has made our transition seamless and productive. We are now able to back up user files about 95% quicker than previously. Furthermore, our production systems can now be restored approximately 80% faster.” With the secondary site deployments nearly complete, the University expects instant service restoration down the line.

The new architecture is designed not only for improved performance and sustainability but also for high availability. With 3.5 petabytes of storage at its disposal, Kent can create multiple immutable snapshots, securing backups across various locations. Hitachi Vantara's advanced carbon reduction technology further assists in decreasing energy usage by efficiently managing CPU operations during low-demand periods, combining high performance with environmental responsibility.

“Hitachi Vantara firmly believes that delivering superior infrastructure must go hand-in-hand with environmental consciousness,” stated Jason Beckett, CTO for EMEA at Hitachi Vantara. “Our partnership with the University of Kent not only allows for expedited recovery and reliability but also helps in achieving a greener operational footprint.”

In terms of performance enhancements, the new setup embodies several attributes:

• - Stronger Cyber Resilience: Utilizing immutable snapshots and replication fortifies vital research and academic data against threats.
• - Elevated Performance: Nightly backups can now proceed 95% faster with minimal disruption to educational activities.
• - Zero Downtime: The migration to this new system is swift with no impact on teaching or research activities, which is crucial for fostering a conducive learning environment.

As Daniel Knox, Assistant Director of IT, Infrastructure and Cybersecurity at the university, remarked, “Information Technology is integral to our mission, from ensuring quality education to advancing forefront research. The synergy with Hitachi and Trustmarque has forged a resilient, sustainable platform catering to our entire academic ecosystem.”

This partnership not only positions the University of Kent as a forward-thinking institution but also emphasizes a sustainable approach to data management. Hitachi Vantara's commitment to energy efficiency is evidenced by its ENERGY STAR® certification and multiple accolades for its VSP One Block storage solution, underscoring its status as an industry leader in performance and efficiency.

For additional insights into the Virtual Storage Platform One from Hitachi Vantara, you can visit Hitachi Vantara’s webpage.

About the University of Kent

Founded in 1965, the University of Kent has emerged as a prominent institution for research and teaching, boasting an international reputation. With more than 17,000 students enrolled in various undergraduate and postgraduate programs across its Canterbury and Medway campuses, the University is committed to academic excellence and innovative research.

About Hitachi Vantara

Hitachi Vantara reimagines the way that data fosters ingenuity. As a subsidiary of Hitachi Ltd., they provide the critical data infrastructure that premier innovators depend on. With services extending from data storage to infrastructure systems and cloud management, Hitachi Vantara is focused on supporting customers' sustainable growth trajectories.

For more information, visit Hitachi Vantara’s official site.