Seagate Looks in The Mirra to Protect Files

UPDATED: Seagate Technology purchased content protection specialist Mirra, continuing
an industry trend in which data-storage vendors are adding security
technology to accompany their rank-and-file products.


Seagate is one of the top hard-disk drive makers during a time when a glut
of storage and stringent compliance regulations threaten to overwhelm
computer networks. Adding a line of machines that can protect content is a
logical move for the Scotts Valley, Calif., company.


Mirra provides continuous backup of data from multiple PCs, secure online
remote access and file sharing, as well as automatic file synchronization across
networked computers.


Privately held Mirra does this with a small appliance called the Mirra
Personal Server, which automatically backs up and safeguards digital content
for consumers and small businesses. Mirra also supplies software and
services to help users access and share digital content to anyone with
Internet access.


This is critical at a time when users are increasingly using media devices
such as iPods, Flash drives and other types of devices to shuttle files and
other data from one machine to the next.


Seagate, which will insert Mirra immediately as a wholly owned subsidiary,
recognizes the value in helping customers back up data on the fly. It made
the buy to add a new revenue stream — one it hopes will continue to pay off
with the proliferation of new handheld gadgets.

“Their software and services technologies are phenomenal, and over time we
expect to scale some of those into different types of services,” Seagate
spokesman Brian Ziel said.


In fact, Seagate attributed the purchase to the rapid adoption of digital
devices by consumers and small-business professionals, saying in a statement
that it has “set the stage for emerging opportunities centered on management
of digital files, e-mail, photos, videos and other personal content.”


A major reason for this boom in digital devices and content is the fast
adoption of broadband in homes over the last four years: There are more than
41.7 million networked households today, according to research firm The
Diffusion Group.

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