IBM invents way to control the location of cloud data

IBM has patented a technique that helps users manage the location where their public and private cloud data is stored, thereby enabling companies to comply local or regional compliance and security regulations governing where data can be stored in different countries and continents.

Formally termed 'Geographic governance of data over clouds: U.S. patent #8,676,593',  the invention allows companies to mark or tag their data and use an intelligent cloud management system to store files in the appropriate location. For example, if a business needs to ensure that all of its financial data is stored in a specific cloud data centre, the associated files are tagged appropriately and the cloud management system ensures that the files are stored in the correct location(s).

"During the early years of cloud computing, it was evident that storing and accessing business data across geographically dispersed cloud computing environments could present logistical and regulatory challenges," said Sandeep Ramesh Patil, Co-inventor of patent #8,676,593. "Our team of inventors designed a system that will allow businesses to efficiently manage and move data in the cloud, while meeting required compliance mandates in different countries."