Abstract: A method of managing file permissions in a remote file storage system includes defining permissions for the remote file storage system and controlling access to objects on the remote file storage system according to the permissions of the remote file storage system. The permissions are transferred to a client file storage system remote from the remote file storage system, and access to objects on the client file storage system is controlled according to the permissions of the remote file storage system. A remote file storage system includes a permissions file generator operative to generate a permissions file, which is transmitted to a client file storage system for enforcement at the client file storage system.

Abstract: Cloud storage systems and methods are described for providing event-based user state synchronization among the various cloud elements. A global user directory is maintained on a remote cloud storage system. The global user directory includes a plurality of global user definitions associated with a plurality of user accounts, where each of the user accounts has access to at least one of a remote file system hosted by the remote cloud storage system and a local file system hosted by a local cloud storage system. As global user definition are altered on the remote cloud storage system, user events are generated and communicated to the local cloud storage system, where they are applied to synchronize the local user definitions with the global user definitions. The invention facilitates centralized control of user definitions, near real-time event delivery to local cloud storage systems, and separation of authentication processes from customers' active directory services.

Abstract: Example systems and methods for efficient data governance are disclosed. Metadata associated with file objects is analyzed to estimate, for each file object, the likelihood that the file object includes sensitive data. The estimates are used to prioritize the file objects for analysis of the file objects' content to determine the whether the file objects include data deemed to be of a sensitive nature. In cloud-based systems/methods the estimates are also used to prioritize the file objects for transfer from a remote file storage system to the cloud-based system for analysis of content. The disclosed systems and methods significantly reduce the time required to identify sensitive file content in a large number of file objects.

Abstract: A method for providing access to objects associated with a particular client in a cloud storage system is disclosed. The method includes the steps of establishing a connection with a user, providing a client namespace associated with the client to the user, where the client namespace represents objects stored on the cloud storage system and objects stored on a private storage system apart from the cloud storage system, receiving a request from the user to access an object stored on the private storage system, and providing information to the user to facilitate access to the object stored on the private storage system by said user. Other systems and methods are also disclosed. Important advantages of the present invention are facilitated by separating the logic for user access (control plane) from the actual storage (Storage plane). Private file system access can still be managed from the cloud, while keeping the client data private.

Abstract: Methods in a cloud object store facilitate strong data encryption, customer-management of object (encryption) keys, reductions in latency, globally-distributed object storage, and handling of streamed uploads. A method for encrypting objects stored in a cloud includes encrypting each object with a unique encryption (object) key. The plaintext object keys are generated in advance of uploads. The plaintext object keys can be stored in an object database in the cloud. Alternatively, the plaintext object keys can be provided to a customer's HSM, encrypted, and returned to the cloud, such that encrypted object keys, encrypted by the customer, are stored in the cloud. The cloud can alternatively encrypt the customer's object keys with a master key for the customer, which is then encrypted by the customer's HSM before being stored in the cloud. Proxies are also deployed for efficiently communicating with customer security modules.

Abstract: A method for synchronizing a local file system (LFS) and a remote (cloud) file system (RFS) includes the step of storing events indicative of differences between the LFS and the RFS, where the events are associated with file system objects of the LFS and RFS. The method further includes the steps of prioritizing the events, generating file system operations for the events based at least in part on the prioritization of the events, and performing at least some of the file system operations to synchronize the LFS and RFS. Prioritizing the events includes defining a plurality of service classes (e.g., based on type of event, event attribute, etc.), assigning a priority to each of the service classes, and assigning each event to one of said service classes. Systems are also described. The invention allocates limited synchronization resources based on a predefined policy to synchronize important file system objects sooner.

Abstract: A method for synchronizing a file system (FS) and a remote file system (RFS) includes monitoring the FS for FS events, generating FS event records, receiving RFS event records of RFS events, generating file system operations (FSOs) based on the FS and RFS event records, and communicating the FSOs to the FS and RFS to synchronize them. A method for generating the FSOs includes accessing a plurality of FS and/or RFS event records, processing the accessed records to generate processed event records, generating the FSOs based on the processed event records, and outputting the FSOs to cause synchronization of the FS and RFS. Systems are also described. The invention facilitates event-based, steady-state synchronization of local and remote file systems.

Abstract: A method of managing file permissions in a remote file storage system includes defining permissions for the remote file storage system and controlling access to objects on the remote file storage system according to the permissions of the remote file storage system. The permissions are transferred to a client file storage system remote from the remote file storage system, and access to objects on the client file storage system is controlled according to the permissions of the remote file storage system. A remote file storage system includes a permissions file generator operative to generate a permissions file, which is transmitted to a client file storage system for enforcement at the client file storage system.

Abstract: Example systems and methods for efficient data governance are disclosed. Metadata associated with file objects is analyzed to estimate, for each file object, likelihood that the file object includes sensitive data. The estimates are used to prioritize the file objects for analysis of the file objects’ content to determine the objects include data deemed to be of a sensitive nature. In cloud-based systems/methods the estimates are also used to prioritize the file objects for transfer from a remote file storage system to the cloud-based system for analysis of content. The disclosed systems and methods significantly reduce the time required to identify sensitive file content in a large number of file objects.

Abstract: A method for providing access to objects associated with a particular client in a cloud storage system is disclosed. The method includes the steps of establishing a connection with a user, providing a client namespace associated with the client to the user, where the client namespace represents objects stored on the cloud storage system and objects stored on a private storage system apart from the cloud storage system, receiving a request from the user to access an object stored on the private storage system, and providing information to the user to facilitate access to the object stored on the private storage system by said user. Other systems and methods are also disclosed. Important advantages of the present invention are facilitated by separating the logic for user access (control plane) from the actual storage (Storage plane). Private file system access can still be managed from the cloud, while keeping the client data private.

Abstract: A method for synchronizing a file system (FS) and a remote file system (RFS) includes monitoring the FS for FS events, generating FS event records, receiving RFS event records of RFS events, generating file system operations (FSOs) based on the FS and RFS event records, and communicating the FSOs to the FS and RFS to synchronize them. A method for generating the FSOs includes accessing a plurality of FS and/or RFS event records, processing the accessed records to generate processed event records, generating the FSOs based on the processed event records, and outputting the FSOs to cause synchronization of the FS and RFS. Systems are also described. The invention facilitates event-based, steady-state synchronization of local and remote file systems.

Abstract: A method for synchronizing a local file system (LFS) and a remote (cloud) file system (RFS) includes the step of storing events indicative of differences between the LFS and the RFS, where the events are associated with file system objects of the LFS and RFS. The method further includes the steps of prioritizing the events, generating file system operations for the events based at least in part on the prioritization of the events, and performing at least some of the file system operations to synchronize the LFS and RFS. Prioritizing the events includes defining a plurality of service classes (e.g., based on type of event, event attribute, etc.), assigning a priority to each of the service classes, and assigning each event to one of said service classes. Systems are also described. The invention allocates limited synchronization resources based on a predefined policy to synchronize important file system objects sooner.

Abstract: Cloud storage systems and methods are described for providing event-based user state synchronization among the various cloud elements. A global user directory is maintained on a remote cloud storage system. The global user directory includes a plurality of global user definitions associated with a plurality of user accounts, where each of the user accounts has access to at least one of a remote file system (RFS) hosted by the remote cloud storage system and a local file system (LFS) hosted by a local cloud storage system. As global user definition are altered on the remote cloud storage system, user events are generated and communicated to the local cloud storage system, where they are applied to synchronize the local user definitions with the global user definitions. The invention facilitates centralized control of user definitions, near real-time event delivery to local cloud storage systems, and separation of authentication processes from customers' active directory services.

Abstract: A cloud-based data governance system includes a processing unit, a network adapter, and memory for storing data and code. The network adapter establishes a connection with a remote data storage system associated with a remote file system over a wide-area network (WAN). The code includes and event collection interface, a data governance service, and an enforcement service. The event collection interface is configured to capture an event from the remote data storage system. The event is indicative of a file system operation executed on a data object of the remote file system. The data governance service is configured to receive the event from the event collection interface and to process the event to determine whether the file system operation conflicts with a governance policy of the data governance system. The enforcement service executes a set of remediation actions, if the file system operation does conflict with the governance policy.

Abstract: Methods in a cloud object store facilitate strong data encryption, customer-management of object (encryption) keys, reductions in latency, globally-distributed object storage, and handling of streamed uploads. A method for encrypting objects stored in a cloud includes encrypting each object with a unique encryption (object) key. The plaintext object keys are generated in advance of uploads. The plaintext object keys can be stored in an object database in the cloud. Alternatively, the plaintext object keys can be provided to a customer's HSM, encrypted, and returned to the cloud, such that encrypted object keys, encrypted by the customer, are stored in the cloud. The cloud can alternatively encrypt the customer's object keys with a master key for the customer, which is then encrypted by the customer's HSM before being stored in the cloud. Proxies are also deployed for efficiently communicating with customer security modules.

Abstract: A method for providing access to objects associated with a particular client in a cloud storage system is disclosed. The method includes the steps of establishing a connection with a user, providing a client namespace associated with the client to the user, where the client namespace represents objects stored on the cloud storage system and objects stored on a private storage system apart from the cloud storage system, receiving a request from the user to access an object stored on the private storage system, and providing information to the user to facilitate access to the object stored on the private storage system by said user. Other systems and methods are also disclosed. Important advantages of the present invention are facilitated by separating the logic for user access (control plane) from the actual storage (Storage plane). Private file system access can still be managed from the cloud, while keeping the client data private.

Abstract: Systems and methods for serving subject access requests (SARs) are disclosed. A network connection is established with a user. An SAR, including at least one piece of personal data corresponding to an entity associated with said user, is received from the user via the network connection. Text data is extracted from a plurality of data objects, the data objects including personal data associated with the user. The text data is then processed to identify instances of names and instances of personal data within the text data. Associations are generated between identified names and identified personal data. A subset of the identified personal data that corresponds to the entity is identified based on the associations. A response to the SAR is provided, based at least in part on the identified personal data corresponding to the entity.

Abstract: A cloud-based data governance system includes a processing unit, a network adapter, and memory for storing data and code. The network adapter establishes a connection with a remote data storage system associated with a remote file system over a wide-area network (WAN). The code includes an event collection interface, a data governance service, and an enforcement service. The event collection interface is configured to capture an event from the remote data storage system. The event is indicative of a file system operation executed on a data object of the remote file system. The data governance service is configured to receive the event from the event collection interface and to process the event to determine whether the file system operation conflicts with a governance policy of the data governance system. The enforcement service executes a set of remediation actions if the file system operation does conflict with the governance policy.

Abstract: Cloud storage systems and methods provide event-based user state synchronization among the various cloud elements. A global user directory is maintained on a remote cloud storage system. The global user directory includes a plurality of global user definitions associated with a plurality of user accounts, where each of the user accounts has access to one of a remote file system (RFS) hosted by the remote cloud storage system and a local file system (LFS) hosted by a local cloud storage system. As global user definition are altered on the remote cloud storage system, user events are generated and communicated to the local cloud storage system, where they are applied to synchronize the local user definitions with the global user definitions. The invention facilitates centralized control of user definitions, near real-time event delivery to local cloud storage systems, and separation of authentication processes from customers' active directory services.

Abstract: A method of managing file permissions in a remote file storage system includes defining permissions for the remote file storage system and controlling access to objects on the remote file storage system according to the permissions of the remote file storage system. The permissions are transferred to a client file storage system remote from the remote file storage system, and access to objects on the client file storage system is controlled according to the permissions of the remote file storage system. A remote file storage system includes a permissions file generator operative to generate a permissions file, which is transmitted to a client file storage system for enforcement at the client file storage system.