NetApp & Google Cloud expand collaboration for secure AI

NetApp has announced an expanded collaboration with Google Cloud to offer advanced data storage and intelligent services within the Google Distributed Cloud architecture.

This integration aims to support AI innovation while ensuring high standards of security and regulatory compliance, particularly for highly regulated sectors such as government, manufacturing, telecommunications, and retail. The announcement aligns with Australia's growing focus on AI and emerging regulations like data sovereignty principles and the proposed Privacy Amendment Bill 2024.

Google Distributed Cloud extends cloud infrastructure and services to various locations, including on-premises data centres and network edges, allowing customers to maintain more control over their IT environments. NetApp's intelligent data infrastructure solutions, such as NetApp ONTAP and StorageGRID, enhance these environments by providing better control over data, efficient scaling of workloads, and compliance with security regulations.

"By working together, Google Distributed Cloud and NetApp are putting AI innovation within reach, even as organisations navigate new regulatory requirements that make data security and compliance more challenging," said Cesar Cernuda, President at NetApp. "NetApp is a trusted partner for organisations seeking innovative and compliant data management solutions. With solutions powered by NetApp intelligent data infrastructure, Google Distributed Cloud can offer AI-ready solutions tailored for the public sector and regulated industries."

The collaboration will help customers reduce reliance on disparate solutions across their cloud, data centre, and edge environments, thereby decreasing complexity and increasing agility. Customers will be able to deploy and manage distributed cloud solutions more easily, enabling them to keep up with emerging trends and respond to changes in their operating environment effectively.

"Our partnership with NetApp on Google Distributed Cloud has enabled us to provide customers with a platform that allows localised processing, rapid scalability to meet changing demands, and enhanced security," said Sameet Agarwal, General Manager and Vice President of Storage at Google Cloud. "These capabilities equip organisations in regulated sectors to effectively address their need for data-driven innovation as they tap into emerging technology like AI."

Organisations in highly regulated industries face significant challenges from new regulations, such as data sovereignty laws and consumer privacy legislation. These regulations create hurdles for modernising IT workloads. The partnership between NetApp and Google Cloud aims to help these organisations overcome these challenges by providing secure and compliant data management infrastructure that supports AI and other advanced technologies.

Google Distributed Cloud's strategy of bringing cloud capabilities closer to where data is generated, or creating air-gapped environments, aligns well with the compliance and security requirements of regulated industries. Leveraging NetApp's intelligent data infrastructure, customers can scale their workloads and efficiently manage data while ensuring compliance with stringent security standards.

The expanded collaboration between NetApp and Google Cloud highlights a critical development in enabling secure AI innovation within highly regulated sectors. As Australia continues to prioritise its AI agenda, solutions that ensure regulatory compliance and data security will become increasingly essential for organisations across various industries.