At Silverstring we’ve been exploring how different technologies impact anomaly detection in modern IT systems, and one interesting piece of hardware weve been looking at is IBM’s FlashCore Module 4 (FCM 4). While it’s easy to get lost in the tech jargon, we wanted to break down how FCM 4 functions and what role it can play in keeping systems resilient.
What is IBM FlashCore Module 4?
IBM FlashCore Module 4 is a hardware-based solution that adds speed and efficiency to storage systems, particularly those using IBM FlashSystem arrays. It’s built on NVMe (Non-Volatile Memory Express) technology, which is essentially a fast lane for data transfer. IBM has also integrated features like compression and encryption at the hardware level. This isn’t just a software layer on top of the storage; it’s embedded directly into the physical components.
How Does It Support Anomaly Detection?
Here’s where things get interesting. One of the challenges many businesses face is detecting anomalies in real time, whether that’s a spike in traffic, unusual patterns in data access, or potential security breaches. From what we’ve observed, the FCM 4 can help with this because it operates directly within the hardware, allowing for real-time monitoring of huge datasets. When something goes off-script in your I/O patterns, for example, FCM 4 can flag this immediately. This brings up a natural comparison with traditional, software-based detection systems, which often rely on backend analytics to identify anomalies.
Hardware vs. Software-Based Detection: What’s the Difference?
The key advantage of FCM 4’s hardware-based detection is its speed. It monitors data in real-time at the storage level, so there’s no waiting for external processes to analyse what’s happening. This gives IT teams an immediate head start in identifying and reacting to issues (such as an encryption event in progress) before it can do serious damage.
However, software-based detection tools have their own strengths. From our own work with these solutions, especially those driven by AI and machine learning, they typically offer more flexibility. They don’t just react to threats as they happen; they can scan data proactively and even identify dormant threats, like ransomware, before an encryption event begins. This gives businesses a chance to prevent a disaster before it strikes, rather than just responding quickly when it does.
Why Both Layers Are Important
It is our opinion that replying solely on one form of detection, whether hardware or software, can leave gaps in your defence. FCM 4 is ideal for rapid, real-time anomaly detection, but combining it with proactive, software-based tools adds an extra layer of protection. While FCM 4 will detect an encryption event in progress, software-based tools can prevent it from happening in the first place by identifying the threat earlier.
Is FCM 4 the Right Fit?
So, based on our findings, FCM 4 is great for businesses that need immediate, fast anomaly detection where performance is critical. But to truly secure your infrastructure, it’s worth layering this with software-based tools that can offer proactive threat detection and long-term insights. In the end, having both forms of detection provides a more complete, resilient approach to handling anomalies and cyber threats.
