Many businesses have adopted virtualization solutions to consolidate hardware resources, particularly as the technology has evolved to enable easy provisioning. However, businesses have recently run into some challenges that stem from a proliferation of virtual machines. The first, according to a recent Virtualization Review article, is dramatically rising costs.

As virtual environments become more complex, they become significantly more difficult to manage. The article highlighted the problem that VMs are constantly moving around and new VMs can be quickly deployed. Many organizations struggle with managing capacity usage, particularly as they archive infrequently used assets in the name of cost efficiency. The benefits afforded by file compression software within the context of virtualization can better enable businesses to manage costs as their technology infrastructures become more complex. However, there is another significant challenge facing VM deployments: data security.

Guarding sensitive data within VMs can be cumbersome without easy-to-implement solutions. Data security often suffers as a result of increased VM deployment, leaving organizations open to the risk of breaches. According to the article, important features to look for in data security solutions include: How well the solution integrates with other technology, and how easy the software is to manage in the context of a virtualized environment.

Malware and virtualization
As with most technology trends, cybercriminals are quick to look for vulnerabilities in new systems. Perhaps due to widespread adoption, virtualization is one of the latest forms of attack. ComputerWeekly columnist Jennifer Scott reported that security researchers are discovering an outgrowth of malware specifically engineered to exploit virtual environments.

In some cases, malware is just another annoyance that reduces system performance. In others, it can present a significant data security threat. Scott highlighted malware designed specifically to hide themselves in virtual environments and steal information. It is also important to note that even seemingly harmless information may be used to design improved attacks, leading to advanced persistent threats - attacks that gather information and leverage it to target users within an organization until more valuable assets can be stolen.

"APTs often come in email form and appear to be legitimate messages from companies, or even colleagues, which ask you in the text to download the file attached," Scott wrote. "This causes issues on an isolated PC, but if this was attached to the entire virtual network and the virus was aware, the consequences could be much worse."

With businesses storing larger volumes of data on virtual networks and in the cloud, one undetected infection can pose a significant risk. Utilizing data security solutions, companies can safeguard critical information regardless of where it is stored.