Cloud Storage Mediator for Legal Hold Data Retention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for managing legal holds on enterprise data are costly, complex, and risky, particularly when it comes to disseminating and preserving regulatory data, as they often rely on insufficient IT solutions that can lead to data breaches and inefficiencies in data distribution.
Innovation Solution
A method that involves receiving legal hold data criteria, determining relevant data from backup copies, copying and storing it in cloud data storage units for temporary storage, and ensuring secure access and retention for the duration of the legal hold request, using cloud APIs for on-demand metadata search and compliance with regulatory requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional IT solutions are used for managing legal holds on enterprise data, then data can be preserved, but the process becomes costly, complex, and risky with potential data breaches
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces cloud storage as an intermediary layer between the backup server and the legal hold data. Instead of directly managing data on traditional IT infrastructure, the system copies data to cloud storage units, which act as a secure mediator that simplifies access control and reduces the complexity of direct data management while maintaining security
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a copy of the legal hold data from the backup server and stores it in cloud storage units. This copying approach allows the original backup system to remain intact while creating a separate, simplified storage layer that is easier to manage and more secure, reducing the complexity of the overall system
2Ease of operation
If manual intervention is used for data retrieval and storage, then data can be accessed, but costs and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements automated processes where the backup server automatically identifies, copies, and stores legal hold data in cloud storage units based on predefined criteria. This self-service approach eliminates manual intervention, making data retrieval easier while reducing operational complexity through automation
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-configuring cloud storage units and establishing copy protocols before legal hold data needs to be retrieved. This preliminary setup automates the data retrieval process, making it easier to operate without increasing complexity during actual data access
3Device complexity
If cloud storage is used for legal hold data, then costs and complexity are reduced, but data must be securely retained for the duration of the legal hold request
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the storage system into distinct components: the original backup server and separate cloud storage units. This segmentation allows each component to maintain its own security protocols while simplifying overall management. The cloud storage units are specifically designed for retaining legal hold data with appropriate security measures
Solution Approach 2:
Cloud storage units serve as an intermediary that provides secure data retention without requiring the complex infrastructure of traditional IT systems. The intermediary layer handles security and retention requirements while presenting a simplified interface for data management
Data Source
AI summary
Technology for storing legal hold data in the cloud (for example, in containers), where the source of the data stored in the cloud is independent backup copy(ies) that are maintained by an enterprise subject to a legal hold order. Changing the legal hold data as it is stored in the set of backup copy(ies) in a manner will not change the legal hold data as it is stored in the cloud. Mechanism may also be provided for auditing chain of custody and authenticating parties who request legal hold data to be delivered from cloud storage.


