Abstract: Deleting objects in a computing system. Information management can be used to provide disposition services including the deletion of selected objects. The categorization process of information management can also be used to assign categories to objects such that an entity understands what the objects are. Understanding what the objects are may include the application of logic, including user-defined logic, to examine the objects. The results of the logic can then be used to assign categories to the objects. The policies of a user, which often define how objects should be treated are implemented by mapping the categories to the appropriate data disposition services. Once the specific disposition services, which include file deletion, are known, a workflow may be initiated to provide a period of review prior to physical deletion of the objects from the computing environment.

Abstract: In an information management system operating in a networked computing environment, a method for delegating at least one data management process to an intelligent service provider connected via a network to the information management system, comprising associating data objects in the computing environment with one or more categories of data objects, providing a series of logic and rules to the intelligent service provider, the logic and rules pertaining to categories of data objects and one or more actions to be executed for the data objects based on the categories of data objects, and receiving reporting information from the intelligent service provider indicating that the one or more actions have been successfully executed.

Abstract: Information management is used to enforce and control rights associated with data through the use of policies implemented by a digital rights management (“DRM”) server. An information management system collects information about data objects in a computer system and classifies the data objects into one or more categories. The categories are mapped to service level objectives that include or request encryption and identify DRM policies to associate with data objects within each category. Each DRM policy identifies one or more users authorized to access data objects the DRM policy is associated with. Encryption is orchestrated, in one embodiment, by identifying a data object to the DRM server in an encryption request, and identifying a DRM policy to associate with the data object. The DRM server encrypts the data object and only allows it be decrypted by authorized users.

Abstract: An information management system is leveraged to mitigate risks associated with data objects in a computer system. The information management system collects information about the data objects and classifies the data objects into one or more categories. The results of the classification and/or the collected information can be stored in a data repository and used to mitigate legal and/or security risks. For instance, the data repository can be searched and/or queried to identify data objects that a party associated with the computer system is legally required to disclose to an adverse party in a legal proceeding. Alternately or additionally, the information in the data repository can be used to classify a data object into a category requiring one or more security and/or legal measures. The information management system maps the category to a service level and orchestrates execution of the service level.

Abstract: A method and system for classifying environment components within a computer system. The computer system includes an information management service for defining services to be provided to data objects residing in the computer system. One exemplary method identifies environment components, such as servers, storage locations, databases, applications, and the like, within the computer system. The service level capabilities of each of the environment components are then identified. The environment components are then classified in accordance with their identified service level capabilities. By categorizing the environment components in accordance with their service level capabilities, the service level objective requests of data objects residing in the system can efficiently be matched to the environment components that are capable of providing the requested services.

Abstract: Environment and/or file discovery operations are delegated by an information management service in a network to external computing resources. The external computing resource performs discovery operations to discover objects in the network, which may include discovering every object in the network, or discovering only new, changed, and/or deleted objects in the network. Discovery information identifying the discovered objects is reported back to the information management service. The information management service uses the discovery information to perform information management, including classification of discovered objects into categories, mapping categories to service level objectives that include one or more services, and orchestrating execution of the one or more services. Optionally, the information management service can delegate classification, service level management, and/or orchestration of services to one or more additional external computing resources.

Abstract: A method and system for assigning service level objectives to data objects stored within a computer system. The computer system includes an information management server for providing customized services to data objects residing in the computer system. One exemplary method identifies a data object, such as a file, folder, database, and the like, that has been categorized according to at least one property associated with the data object. The method also identifies service level objectives that are available within the computer system. Service level objectives may include any type of service area or service level that can be provided to a data object. The data object is then associated with one or more of the service level objectives for requesting that the services associated with the one or more service level objectives be provided to the data object.

Abstract: An information management system delegates information classification to an external computing resource, or classifier. The intelligence required to perform classification, including a series of logic and/or rules, is provided to the classifier. The logic and/or rules are translated from a first format to a second format understandable to the classifier. The information management system discovers objects of an entity and identifies them for the classifier. The classifier collects information about the objects, applies the logic and rules to the objects, and assigns one or more categories to each object. This classification information is translated from the second format to the first format and reported back to the information management system, which may use the assigned categories to identify and map service level objectives to available service levels. After service levels are selected, the corresponding actions can be orchestrated such that the objects of the entity receive the selected services.

Abstract: Discovering environment objects for information management in a networked environment. Information management provides services such as data protection, backup, retention, compliance, etc., by classifying the objects and/or infrastructure of an entity according to its value to the entity. Information management begins by discovering the data in a network and by discovering the servers and services operating in a network. The servers and services are discovered using adapters that can collect information regarding the environment objects. This information can then by used by information management systems to assign or orchestrate various services.

Abstract: Persisting metadata in an information management system. During information management, metadata is collected and generated for objects in the computing environment. The metadata is used to classify the objects in order to provide certain services to the objects. The metadata is then selectively persisted to improve performance of the information management system in providing the services. Selectively persisting metadata can also reduce storage requirements.

Abstract: In a networked computer system, a method and system for classifying and managing the data objects in a data signal in a computer system comprising using a network tap to tap the data signal transmitted between two devices in the system, collecting information about the data objects in the data signal, classifying the data objects to assign categories based on the collected information about the data object, and storing the results of the classification.

Abstract: An information management system delegates information classification to an external computing resource, or classifier. The intelligence required to perform classification, including a series of logic and/or rules, is provided to the classifier. The logic and/or rules are translated from a first format to a second format understandable to the classifier. The information management system discovers objects of an entity and identifies them for the classifier. The classifier collects information about the objects, applies the logic and rules to the objects, and assigns one or more categories to each object. This classification information is translated from the second format to the first format and reported back to the information management system, which may use the assigned categories to identify and map service level objectives to available service levels. After service levels are selected, the corresponding actions can be orchestrated such that the objects of the entity receive the selected services.

Abstract: A method and system for locating a service provider capable of providing service level objectives for a data object stored within a computer system. The computer system includes an information management service for providing customized services to data objects residing in the computer system. One exemplary method identifies a data object such as a file, folder or database that is associated with service level objectives. Service level objectives may include services that can be provided to the data object. The method also identifies at least one service provider located within the computer system. An information management service request is sent to the service providers containing the service level objectives associated with the data object. Responses are then received from the service providers including which of the service level objectives the service providers are capable of providing to the data object.

Abstract: Information management is provided. Information management may include a method of monitoring the information management processes. The method may include delegating one or more information management processing operations to one or more external computing resources. The information management processing operations require intelligence provided by an information management server. Monitoring information received from the external computing resources indicates that the external computing resources are performing the one or more delegated information management processing operations. An analysis of a subset of data objects from the information management system is performed to ensure that the delegated information management process operations have been performed on the data objects.

Abstract: Discovering environment objects for information management in a networked environment. Information management provides services such as data protection, backup, retention, compliance, etc., by classifying the objects and/or infrastructure of an entity according to its value to the entity. Information management begins by discovering the data in a network and by discovering the servers and services operating in a network. The servers and services are discovered using adapters that can collect information regarding the environment objects. This information can then by used by information management systems to assign or orchestrate various services.

Abstract: Providing information classification in a computer system for use in an information management system. Information management provides services such as data protection, backup, retention, compliance, etc., by classifying the objects and/or environment of an entity according to its value to the entity. Initially a series of rules are identified relating to information management services. Using these rules, information is classified into categories by using a series of plugins that relate to specific characteristics of information within data. Often, classification includes the collection and/or generation of metadata. After the data is classified, service level objectives can be identified and mapped to service levels. After service levels are selected, the corresponding actions can be orchestrated such that the objects of the entity received the selected services in the service level.

Abstract: A method and system for assigning service level objectives to data objects stored within a computer system. The computer system includes an information management server for providing customized services to data objects residing in the computer system. One exemplary method identifies a data object, such as a file, folder, database, and the like, that has been categorized according to at least one property associated with the data object. The method also identifies service level objectives that are available within the computer system. Service level objectives may include any type of service area or service level that can be provided to a data object. The data object is then associated with one or more of the service level objectives for requesting that the services associated with the one or more service level objectives be provided to the data object.

Abstract: Providing information management in a networked environment. Information management provides services such as data protection, backup, retention, compliance, etc., by classifying the objects and/or infrastructure of an entity according to its value to the entity. Information management begins by discovering the data in a network and by discovering the servers and services operating in a network. Next, the data is classified according to rules that can be set by the entity, by the line of business within the entity, by regulation, and the like. Often, classification includes the collection and/or generation of metadata. After the data is classified, service level objectives can be identified and mapped to service levels. After service levels are selected, the corresponding actions can be orchestrated such that the objects of the entity received the selected services in the service level.

Abstract: A method and system for classifying environment components within a computer system. The computer system includes an information management service for defining services to be provided to data objects residing in the computer system. One exemplary method identifies environment components, such as servers, storage locations, databases, applications, and the like, within the computer system. The service level capabilities of each of the environment components are then identified. The environment components are then classified in accordance with their identified service level capabilities. By categorizing the environment components in accordance with their service level capabilities, the service level objective requests of data objects residing in the system can efficiently be matched to the environment components that are capable of providing the requested services.

Abstract: Providing information classification in a computer system for use in an information management system. Information management provides services such as data protection, backup, retention, compliance, etc., by classifying the objects and/or environment of an entity according to its value to the entity. Initially a series of rules are identified relating to information management services. Using these rules, information is classified into categories by using a series of plugins that relate to specific characteristics of information within data. Often, classification includes the collection and/or generation of metadata. After the data is classified, service level objectives can be identified and mapped to service levels. After service levels are selected, the corresponding actions can be orchestrated such that the objects of the entity received the selected services in the service level.