Panzura CloudFS gets AI-driven behavioural analytics

Panzura, a leader in hybrid cloud file and data management, has announced a significant upgrade to its CloudFS platform, integrating new AI-driven behavioral analytics. This enhancement is designed to proactively detect and mitigate cyberattacks, specifically ransomware and data exfiltration, by moving beyond traditional signature-based detection to a more intelligent, real-time defense.

The core of this new functionality is the creation of a behavioral fingerprint for every user and non-human account on the system. The AI, powered by machine learning, studies and learns the normal patterns of file access, modification, and deletion for each user within their specific role and work environment. For instance, it understands what “normal” looks like for an engineer versus a marketing professional, and can quickly identify any deviation from these established patterns.

This proactive approach allows CloudFS to detect anomalous activities that are often early indicators of an attack, such as a user attempting to access a large volume of files they have never used before, or unusual after-hours activity. The platform can also spot mass file deletions or encryption, which are typical hallmarks of ransomware.

When a suspicious event is detected, CloudFS can take immediate, automated action. This includes sending alerts to administrators and, depending on the threat level, disabling the compromised account to halt the attack in its tracks. This speed is critical, as it can prevent an attack from spreading across the infrastructure and causing widespread damage. The new capabilities build upon Panzura’s existing “defense-in-depth” strategy, which includes immutable data and immutable snapshots taken at sub-60-second intervals. These snapshots are key to the system’s rapid recovery feature, which can surgically restore only the affected files, minimizing downtime and the impact on business operations.

According to Panzura, this update addresses the issue of “alert fatigue” common with traditional security tools that often generate an overwhelming number of false positives. By focusing on genuine anomalies and providing detailed information with each alert, CloudFS helps security teams prioritize and respond to real threats more effectively.

This advancement positions Panzura at the forefront of cyber resilience, offering organizations a powerful, AI-enabled tool to defend against sophisticated and rapidly evolving cyber threats, ensuring business continuity in a world where data security is more critical than ever.