Just like your attic, your data may be overdue for a spring cleaning session. These tips from DataGravity will help sort through your storage and separate critical information from outdated content simply taking up space.

1. dust off old data to
optimize, secure storage

2. breaches, legal
complications
and technical
problems.
Companies
that hold
tight to
out-of-date
data put
themselves
at risk for

3. To prevent
these issues,
you can clear
the dark data
from your
virtualized attic
in six steps.

4. 1) Overcome the out-of-sight,
out-of-mind mentality.

5. Acknowledge that it
can be a risk if left
untouched.
Even if you’re
not thinking
about dark
data, it’s
lurking in
the corners.

6. 2) Organize your data and

7. and ensure you’re not
housing data that breaks
compliance standards.
Sort through your unstructured data,
delete the files that don’t add value

8. 3) Remember to keep important
data easily accessible.

9. store it so that’s
it easy to find,
utilize and audit.
If you
stumble
upon
something
frequently
needed,

10. 4) Understand the difference
between a rare coin collection
and a jar
of pennies.

11. and get rid of anything
that doesn’t scream
“Keep me.
I’m important!”
Not all data is
created equal.
Figure out
which files
have business
value,

12. 5) Secure any sensitive, vital data.

13. such as financial data or
personally identifiable
information (PII),
secure it to protect
against risk.
If you
find vital
information
during
your spring
cleaning,

14. 6) Dust off the rest of your data and
organize it accordingly.

15. organize whatever’s
left so it’s easy to
navigate and protect.
(And check out the added space
you didn’t know you had.)
Once
you’ve
made the
necessary
purges,

16. Data-aware storage helps
you sort, purge, prioritize and
protect stored data.

17. Want to learn how data-aware technology
can help you spring clean your data?
Watch the DataGravity webinar, “Optimize Your Data’s
Footprint, Security & Protection in Virtual Environments.”
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