SANTA CLARA, Calif. – July 13, 2023 – More than half (58%) of U.K. companies are overwhelmed by the amount of data they manage and almost two thirds (65%) of leaders are concerned they cannot detect a data breach in time to protect data, according to a new survey from Hitachi Vantara, the modern infrastructure, data management and digital solutions subsidiary of Hitachi, Ltd. (TSE: 6501). As new and exciting data-intensive technologies and applications like Generative AI are spurring a goldrush to greater insights, automation, and predictability, these technologies are simultaneously exacerbating the already-strained infrastructure and hybrid cloud environments on which they run.

Click here to download the full data management research report

The company conducted the global survey of 1,288 C-level executives and IT decision makers, including 111 in the United Kingdom, to quantify the extent to which organisations are struggling to manage their data infrastructure in a secure and sustainable way. Key U.K. findings include:

• Leaders say that data is one of their most valuable assets but are concerned about the security and resilience of their data infrastructure; 74% are concerned their organisation will be unable to adapt to meet upcoming demands.
• Only 24% of leaders have full confidence in the cyber-security policies and practices of their third-party data infrastructure providers.
• 57% of leaders are concerned over whether their organisation’s data infrastructure is resilient enough to recover all data from ransomware attacks.
  • 28% of respondents admitted that important data was not backed up and 34% had experienced data inaccessibility due to storage outages.

“Part of the problem for many companies is that they are storing data without the right strategy or data infrastructure tools in place. In fact, 75% of companies globally said they stored every piece of data, just in case, as much as half of their data is ‘dark,’ or never used,” said Bharti Patel, senior vice president, Product Engineering, Hitachi Vantara. “The reality is that today’s infrastructure modernisation involves state-of-the-art platforms that not only provide greater speed, reliability, and protection of data, but they also require significantly less space and energy requirements, so businesses can gain more value from their data while also reducing their carbon footprint at the same time. Organisations that are proactive today in prioritising these critical areas will have a significant advantage in the market in the years to come.”

A Hybrid Cloud World

The study also shed light on the future of data storage, with the hybrid cloud model leveraging a mix of public/private cloud, co-location and on-premises expected to persist. For U.K. business leaders, the study found data stored in an already established hybrid cloud with percentages of data center workloads located almost evenly between the public cloud (26%), private cloud (25%), on-premises (26%), and co-located/managed services (22%). Notably, the percentages were expected to largely stay the same in the coming two years.

For more information about Hitachi Vantara’s storage portfolio, visit.

https://www.hitachivantara.com/en-us/products/data-storage.html

Among the U.K. leaders surveyed, 38% said they needed the most help improving their cybersecurity defences. The report emphasises the significance of implementing a deliberate strategy for becoming a data-driven company. To achieve this goal, business leaders must consider:

• Infrastructure modernisation is essential to overcome the bottleneck of legacy systems that hinder digital transformation. By adopting modern data infrastructure, IT leaders can dynamically scale their systems, improve performance efficiency, and optimize costs by paying only for what is utilised.
• Empowering users is crucial for quick decision-making based on available data. To address this issue, businesses are encouraged to establish a comprehensive security and access framework while providing training to employees to ensure responsible data usage.
• Limiting waste is vital to maximise the value of data. To combat data waste, bold leaders are advised to prioritise data cleanup initiatives and to streamline operations and enhance overall efficiency.

By embracing these three steps, business leaders can propel their organisations towards becoming data-driven, unlocking new opportunities for growth and success.

Methodology

The data management research study was conducted through an online survey with industry experts. A 41-question study was conducted among C-suite executives and IT leaders. Companies were recruited from all major industries across 12 markets (U.S., Brazil, Mexico, UK, Germany, Italy, India, Singapore, Indonesia, China, Australia, and New Zealand). The data was weighted to ensure a 70:30 split between IT leaders and C-suite executives respectively. Industries were also weighted equally. The sample for the survey included only large organizations (annual global turnover of over $500 million) and may not be representative of all organizations.

Additional Resources

• Hitachi Vantara Data Management Infrastructure Dynamics Infographic
• Hitachi Vantara Data Management Infrastructure Dynamics Report

Connect With Hitachi Vantara

• Twitter
• LinkedIn
• Facebook

About Hitachi Vantara

Hitachi Vantara, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Hitachi Ltd., delivers the intelligent data platforms, infrastructure systems, and digital expertise that supports more than 80% of the Fortune 100. To learn how Hitachi Vantara turns businesses from data-rich to data-driven through agile digital processes, products, and experiences, visit www.hitachivantara.com.

About Hitachi, Ltd.

Hitachi drives Social Innovation Business, creating a sustainable society through the use of data and technology. We solve customers' and society's challenges with Lumada solutions leveraging IT, OT (Operational Technology) and products. Hitachi operates under the business structure of “Digital Systems & Services” - supporting our customers’ digital transformation; “Green Energy & Mobility” - contributing to a decarbonized society through energy and railway systems, and “Connective Industries” - connecting products through digital technology to provide solutions in various industries. Driven by Digital, Green, and Innovation, we aim for growth through co-creation with our customers. The company’s consolidated revenues for fiscal year 2022 (ended March 31, 2023) totaled 10,881.1 billion yen, with 696 consolidated subsidiaries and approximately 320,000 employees worldwide. For more information on Hitachi, please visit the company's website at https://www.hitachi.com.

HITACHI is a trademark or registered trademark of Hitachi, Ltd. All other trademarks, service marks, and company names are properties of their respective owners.

MEDIA CONTACT

Pamela Carr
Hitachi Vantara
(408) 970-1000
Pamela.Carr@hitachivantara.com