GlassHouse's new data Compliance Readiness Solution gives CIOs a strategic view of compliance data handling processes

New service translates business compliance requirements into storage operations plans that ensure complete implementation across organizations

Framingham, MA and London, UK – GlassHouse Technologies, Inc., the global leader in independent storage consulting and services, today announced its new Compliance Readiness Solution, which bridges the gaps between regulatory compliance and business governance by providing CIOs with assessments that help them cost-effectively manage risk and meet regulatory demands.

The GlassHouse Compliance Readiness Solution is a package of evaluation services for identifying and closing potential gaps in companies’ data handling procedures that could recreate regulatory compliance problems. The Compliance Readiness Solution utilizes GlassHouse’s proprietary electronic discovery tools as well as a standards-based framework of storage and data protection best practices. The Compliance Readiness Solution includes:

• development of storage compliance policies;

• compliance gap analysis;

• an impact analysis;

• level of effort assessment for gap closure; and

• roadmap for compliance remediation.

"Complying with the first round of Sarbanes-Oxley showed a lot of companies how badly they need better data management practices," said Lars Linden, GlassHouse vice president of corporate strategy. "The regulations are going to get exponentially more complex as each phase of Sarbanes-Oxley and other new regulations kick in. The Glasshouse Compliance Readiness Solution offers companies a strategic-level framework that enables them to manage each new wave of regulatory compliance without spiraling cost and complexity."

Faced with the increasing pressures and costs of compliant data management , business and IT executives are inundated with high-level audits and compliance products. Often, however, they are left with a gap in terms of fully implemented and tested systems, policies and procedures to ensure compliance on an ongoing basis.

"IT executives and business leaders don't often understand each other's issues. This can lead to inappropriate IT strategy and governance," said David Flint, research vice president at Gartner. "Compliance is one area where IT and business within an organization need to be working together."

The Compliance Readiness Solution at work

GlassHouse compliance solutions deliver continuous cost reduction, quality of service and data compliance while containing risk and increasing predictability. The company helps clients implement best data management practices to prepare IT to support businesses’ need for compliance.

GlassHouse helps its clients put the necessary policies and procedures in place to successfully answer compliance-related questions:

• Can you document that your storage environment meets compliance requirements?

• Can you successfully meet the requirements of a compliance audit, in terms of complete data recoverability, timeframes and privacy?

• Do you have a plan to manage the costs of non-compliance?

• Do you have the systems and procedures in place to archive e-mail and retrieve it by subject, content and context?

• Do current retention policies match the continuously changing value of data?

• Are recovery procedures continually updated and tested?

GlassHouse captures organizational requirements from corporate risk management, legal and audit groups. It translates high-level compliance recommendations into storage-specific requirements and addressing compliance issues including archiving, data protection, Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) development and data security.

Working with the appropriate people throughout an organization, GlassHouse follows a detailed process that includes analysis of current and future states in the environment; development of storage-related compliance needs; and recommendations and findings that identify compliance gaps. GlassHouse then delivers a roadmap and next steps, and implements solutions that meet client requirements.

Pricing and availability

Pricing is determined on a per-engagement basis.

About GlassHouse Technologies

GlassHouse is the leading technology-independent provider of services that help organizations solve the business problems of enterprise storage. From strategy through implementation, operations and customer support, GlassHouse partners with clients to achieve predictability and manageability in storage operations, enabling cost control, risk mitigation and increased service levels. GlassHouse clients include Biogen Idec, Inc., Hartz Mountain Industries, Inc., Pitney-Bowes, Inc., Virgin Mobile and The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America. More information about GlassHouse is available at www.glasshouse.com.