Storage managers in the dark over Continuous Data Protection

Continuous data protection, also known as continuous backup, is a storage technology which allows for all corporate data to be automatically and seamlessly backed up whenever any change is made.

IDC notes in its study, Continuous Data Protection: A First Look at End-User Awareness and Behavior, that many storage administrators admit that they have "limited knowledge" about CDP products. However, the majority of those who responded to a recent survey conducted by the analyst firm - about 64 per cent - say that they either currently use CDP systems, plan to use them within 12 months, or are evaluating them.

Most poll respondents indicated that they have heard of CDP, but only a quarter believe that they have "a good understanding" of the technology. Most end users admitted that they are still not sure about the full implications of CDP and about which CDP product to use.

"The current uncertainty among end users regarding which products to use for CDP represents an opportunity for vendors who plan to enter the CDP market," said Natalya Yezhkova, senior research analyst, IDC Storage Systems.

However, IDC analysts also sounded a note of caution. "While vendors should consider end users' interest, coupled with uncertainty, as an opportunity, they also need to invest in educating end users about the benefits of CDP, rather than simply over-hyping it," added Rhoda Phillips, research manager, IDC Storage Software.