Synology ActiveProtect appliances promise easier backup, beefier security

Taiwanese storage vendor Synology has rolled out a line of enterprise storage appliances as well as cloud-based video surveillance system that it says will be easy to manage and powerful enough for growing businesses.

The new ActiveProtect range, unveiled on the sidelines of this week’s Computex show in Taipei, offers a versatile backup system designed to adapt to companies’ needs during expansion. One big selling point: Flexibility of deploying hardware on-premise, using cloud-based solutions, or a combination of both.

The ActiveProtect system deduplicates data at the source by analysing the data content and backs up only new data, requiring fewer network resources to transmit and store data. It promises as much as 99 per cent reduction in data transmission, even during normal business operations.

To make things easier in today’s complex IT infrastructure, Synology’s operating system is designed to empower system administrators with a central management console.

This console can control all the appliances, including network-attached servers, and back up data from Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace services.

Changes to security policies and access can be made with a few clicks, significantly reducing the chances of error while giving complete control over the backup system.

Like just about every technology company, Synology is also integrating AI into its products, including its video surveillance system.

This system offers video recording and monitoring and has flexible storage options supporting multiple sites and direct-to-cloud deployments without local data servers. It uses AI to tighten security and highlight breaches.

For example, the system can recognise an employee using AI face detection and unlock the secured door without using the security keypad. It can also detect safety infringements on a work site, say, if a worker fails to wear a safety helmet.

The system even works with a mobile phone, at least temporarily, if there is no Internet or power connection to install a traditional CCTV system.

This can be part of a wider system of connected cameras conveniently controlled through Synology’s central management system.

Its API can also work with third-party systems such as Axis Communications and Vivotek, allowing flexibility in physical access security and activity monitoring on the premises.