External storage for PSM makes recording storage flexible and reliable.

External storage for CyberArk PSM: why spreading recording storage across machines is a smart move

If you’ve ever watched a security operations center in action, you know two things for sure: the data loads can be heavy, and the team needs quick access to recordings for investigations, audits, and reviews. When Privileged Session Manager (PSM) captures those sessions, the recordings pile up. Storing them on a single server is like loading a crowded backpack with bricks—eventually something breaks. That’s where external storage comes in. By distributing recording storage among multiple machines, organizations keep performance steady, gain flexibility, and simplify data governance. Let me unpack what that means in practice.

Why external storage? What problem are we really solving

Here’s the thing: PSM creates a digital trail of privileged activity. Those trails aren’t tiny. They can grow fast, especially in large environments with lots of privileged access sessions. If every recording lands on one box or a single local disk, you’re courting bottlenecks—slower searches, longer retrieval times, and higher risk of storage saturation. External storage isn’t just about space; it’s about shaping how you manage and access those recordings.

Think of external storage as a smart relay system. Rather than piling everything on one server, you spread the workload across several storage nodes. That has a cascade of benefits:

• Load distribution keeps capture and playback smooth, even during peak hours.

• Storage growth becomes a managed, incremental process rather than a disruptive overhaul.

• Teams gain consistent performance for investigations, compliance reviews, and audits.

That’s the core value: the ability to allocate recording storage where it makes the most sense, across a network of storage resources.

How distributing recording storage across machines actually works

When we say “distribute recording storage,” we’re talking about architecture where the PSM ecosystem writes recordings to multiple storage targets rather than a single place. Here’s a practical picture:

• Central capture by PSM or related vault components still happens as sessions are authenticated and monitored.

• Recordings and their metadata are written to an external storage layer that may include network-attached storage (NAS), storage area networks (SAN), or cloud-object storage (think S3-compatible options or similar).

• A catalog or index keeps track of where each recording lives, so you can locate and retrieve it quickly, regardless of which storage node holds it.

• Redundancy and replication can be configured so a copy exists on more than one storage device, improving resilience.

What this means in the real world: faster access, easier management, fewer surprises when storage needs grow. And yes, you don’t have to guess at capacity planning anymore—the system can scale in a more measured, controlled fashion.

Performance, reliability, and the daily realities of security teams

Let’s get practical. When recordings live on a distributed set of storage resources, you get:

• Faster searches and retrievals. Indexing across multiple targets lets analysts jump straight to the right clip without scrolling through a monolithic blob of data.

• Better resilience. If one storage node goes offline, others keep the stream intact. The team isn’t left staring at a stalled investigation while backups are restored.

• More predictable performance. Resource shocks on a single server—like a sudden spike in session activity—are less likely to derail operations because the load is spread out.

• Simpler maintenance windows. You can upgrade or replace storage nodes with less risk to ongoing sessions, since the rest of the system continues to function.

Of course, with any distributed setup, you want solid monitoring and clear visibility. Keep an eye on latency between PSM and storage nodes, ensure there are clean failover paths, and maintain an easy way to audit where a recording lives at any given time.

Compliance and governance: turning storage into a governance enabler

Data governance routines love predictable, well-managed storage. External storage for PSM supports retention policies, legal holds, and region-aware data management. Here’s how it pays off:

• Retention policies become straightforward to enforce. You can specify how long recordings stay on each storage location, and automate aging out of data you no longer need.

• Geographic considerations are easier to handle. If your compliance needs require region-specific storage, distributing across machines lets you house sensitive recordings closer to where they’re governed.

• Auditing is cleaner. When each recording’s location is known and indexed, auditors can locate and verify data without juggling a forest of folders or chasing down one mysterious disk.

Security isn’t an afterthought here. External storage should be encrypted at rest and in transit, with strict access controls and robust authentication. Pairing PSM’s native protections with disciplined storage security creates a stronger, more auditable data trail.

Choosing the right storage approach: practical guidelines

If you’re weighing external storage for PSM, here are a few practical considerations that often influence the decision:

• Storage type: Decide between NAS, SAN, or object storage based on performance needs, access patterns, and how you plan to search and retrieve recordings. Object storage is great for scalability and long-term archival, while NAS/SAN can offer faster, low-latency access for active investigations.

• Access patterns: Will analysts need rapid playback of recent sessions, or are you primarily conducting periodic audits with long-term archives? Your access pattern shapes replication strategies and caching.

• Location and compliance: If regulatory requirements dictate data residency or encryption standards, plan storage geography and encryption keys accordingly.

• Metadata and indexing: A robust catalog is essential. Think about how metadata (session IDs, timestamps, user roles, application context) ties to storage locations so retrievals are fast and reliable.

• Backup and DR: External storage should integrate with your backup and disaster recovery plans. Redundancy isn’t optional; it’s the safety net for when a disk or node falters.

• Cost and lifecycle: Storage costs aren’t only about disk space. Factor in data transfer, retrieval fees (if using cloud storage), and the ongoing costs of maintaining multiple storage nodes.

Real-world flavors: scenarios where this approach shines

Finance firms often run dense privileged access programs with many auditors and incident responders needing quick access to session recaps. Distributing recording storage across several machines means a timely, organized archive and faster investigations when something unusual happens.

Healthcare organizations face strict data handling rules. With external storage, they can segment sensitive recordings by department or patient data controls, enforce retention windows, and ensure that data retrieval aligns with legal holds. The result is a compliant, efficient workflow that doesn’t feel bottlenecked.

Technology teams that lean on hybrid environments—where some data lives on premises and others in the cloud—find external storage particularly helpful. It offers a bridge between fast access in local datacenters and the long-term, scalable storage available in object storage. You get the best of both worlds without forcing an all-or-nothing choice.

Common pitfalls to sidestep (and how to stay on track)

No plan is perfect, and distributed storage brings its own gotchas. A few to watch:

• Incomplete indexing. If recordings aren’t properly cataloged, the benefit of distribution fades. Invest in a reliable indexing mechanism that ties each file to its metadata and location.

• Inconsistent retention rules. It’s easy to end up with polyglot policies across storage nodes. Centralize governance where possible and automate policy enforcement.

• Security gaps. Encryption and access controls must travel with the data across all nodes. Don’t assume “it’s already secured”—verify permissions and key management across every location.

• Monitoring complexity. Distributed systems require comprehensive monitoring dashboards and alerting so you notice drift or failures quickly.

• Upgrade friction. When evolving storage hardware or software, plan for a staged rollout to avoid simultaneous disruption across the environment.

A quick mental model you can hold onto

Imagine you’re managing a library where the shelves are spread across several rooms. Each room holds certain genres, and a librarian knows exactly which room to fetch a book from. If one room closes for maintenance, you can still pull what you need from other rooms without slowing down your readers. That’s the essence of distributing recording storage: resilience, speed, and a smoother workflow for investigators and security teams.

Putting it all together: a practical takeaway

External storage for PSM isn’t just a way to store more data; it’s a strategic move that influences performance, governance, and day-to-day security operations. By distributing recording storage among multiple machines, organizations keep session data accessible, maintain responsive investigations, and simplify compliance with retention and location requirements. It’s a design choice that pays dividends in reliability and clarity—the kind of clarity teams crave when every second counts.

If you’re contemplating this approach, start with a small pilot that maps out your storage nodes, tests the indexing workflow, and validates retention policies end-to-end. Gather feedback from incident responders and compliance officers, and use that input to refine the architecture. You’ll likely discover not just a storage solution, but a clearer path to faster, smarter security operations.

Final thought: the value of thoughtful storage planning

The world of privileged sessions is busy and nuanced. Recordings are more than data points; they’re evidence, context, and accountability. External storage for PSM helps you keep that evidence intact and easy to reach, even as your environment grows. The result isn’t just better storage—it’s better security governance, better investigations, and a steadier hand during audits.

If you’re exploring CyberArk PSM environments, this approach offers a practical way to balance performance and governance. It’s not about chasing the latest buzzword; it’s about choosing a setup that keeps your security posture clear, reliable, and ready for whatever comes next.