Think about all the important data your business depends on—financial records, client information, or years of project history. Now imagine losing it because it wasn’t stored securely. Such a loss can halt operations, create compliance issues, and leave your company vulnerable to cyberattacks. This is exactly the challenge that Rimage and its active archive division, SAVARTUS, are solving under the leadership of Christopher Rence.
Christopher Rence, President of Rimage and SAVARTUS, combines hands-on leadership with a visionary approach to secure data management. At Rimage and SAVARTUS, he guides growth, drives technology innovation, and ensures the delivery of secure, long-term, and sustainable data management solutions.
Under his leadership, the companies provide immutable, tamper-proof optical storage that protects critical data, ensures compliance, and reduces environmental impact, while advanced systems like SOPHIA and Enterprise Laser Storage establish them as the “Last Line of Defense™” against cyber threats.
Through strategic partnerships, continuous innovation, and a hands-on management style, Rence keeps the companies relevant in a fast-changing market. His milestones—including numerous patents, building successful companies, and authoring World War ‘D’: The Intersection of Cyber and Biological Pandemics—highlight his expertise and commitment to shaping the future of enterprise data management.
Four Decades of Data Management
Rimage has been a pioneer in digital data distribution and archiving systems for more than four decades, earning its reputation as a leader in end-to-end data lifecycle management. As cybersecurity threats continue to evolve, the company recognized the growing need for truly immutable data protection. To address this, Rimage established SAVARTUS, its active archive spinoff dedicated to helping enterprises safeguard their most valuable information.
SAVARTUS uses proven optical media technology to create tamper-proof, air-gapped storage solutions that prevent cyberattacks from compromising sensitive data. The division emphasizes long-term reliability and efficiency, giving organizations a smarter, more sustainable way to archive critical information. By reducing the need for frequent data migrations and lowering environmental impact, SAVARTUS reflects Rimage’s ongoing commitment to innovation and responsibility.
Through strategic partnerships and continuous development, Rimage continues to advance secure data management and active archiving solutions—helping organizations stay protected and prepared in an increasingly digital and regulated world.
50-to-100-Year Data Lifespan
In 2025, the data management industry faces the explosive growth of information, heightened cybersecurity threats, and the demand for long-term compliance and sustainability. Christopher Rence believes Rimage and SAVARTUS adapt by providing proven, fully immutable optical storage solutions that safeguard critical data, ensure regulatory compliance, and remain secure even against AI-driven threats, while offering an environmentally friendly alternative to traditional storage. Their technology, with a lifespan of 50 to 100 years, positions them as the ultimate “Last Line of Defense™,” protecting businesses against data loss, ransomware, and tampering.
Partnering with Active Archive Alliance
Rimage Corporation and SAVARTUS have partnered with the Active Archive Alliance (AAA) to advance their goal of transforming data management with innovative, immutable optical storage solutions. Through this collaboration with industry leaders, Rimage and SAVARTUS Inc. work to improve active archiving standards and showcase how its Unified Data Interface software manages the entire data lifecycle.
Rimage and SAVARTUS, Inc. are also working with several industry partners to advance current technology, including higher-density optical solutions, while ensuring their systems remain compatible with both older and future technologies. This approach helps organizations handle the rapid growth of data driven by AI, regulatory requirements, and digital transformation.
35+ Years of IT Expertise
Christopher Rence brings over 35 years of experience in the IT industry. He began his career as an I/O operator in a data center and progressed through development, networking, and solutions design before stepping into leadership roles. Known for his hands-on approach, he works closely with teams to solve problems, drive innovation, and guide projects from the ground up. Over the years, he has built and sold companies, holds patents in security and child safety, and continues to develop forward-looking solutions that shape the future of secure data management.
Early Career Ascent
Rence was inspired to pursue a career in technology and business solutions by his parents, who introduced him early to computers and networking, and encouraged a hands-on approach to learning. Growing up with some of the first IBM PCs, he learned to code alongside his family. Early mentors like Irwin Jacobs, Ted Deikel, and Carl Pohlad further shaped his understanding of transforming business models through innovation.
Starting from an entry-level role at Andersen Worldwide, progressing to Andersen Consulting, and later partnering with Accenture, Christopher Rence developed strong problem-solving skills and a deep understanding of the global technology landscape, preparing him to navigate the fast-evolving tech industry.
The Employee-Centric Model of Success
Christopher Rence leads with a hands-on, collaborative approach, working alongside his teams to deeply understand their challenges and develop effective solutions together. Guided by the philosophy that employee engagement flourishes when workers trust their leaders and feel emotionally connected to the organization, he believes that a company’s true success is built on the foundation of a fully committed and engaged workforce.
Keeping Teams Focused on What Matters
One of the biggest challenges for Christopher Rence and his team has been keeping up with the rapid pace of technological change. With so many new tools and innovations constantly emerging, it can be difficult to keep the team focused on key priorities. The challenge lies in finding the right balance—allowing the team to explore new technologies and ideas that foster innovation while staying focused on current projects and meeting today’s goals and revenue targets.
Dare to Think Big and Take Smart Risks
Rence advises new leaders, entrepreneurs, and upcoming professionals to think creatively, take calculated risks, and maintain open communication at every level of their organization. He emphasizes the importance of understanding how a business truly operates by observing teams firsthand and gathering insights from all employees, from entry-level staff to senior management. Christopher Rence also highlights that failure is a natural part of growth, and the key is to learn from mistakes and continuously move forward.
Christopher emphasizes the importance of clear communication, listening to customer feedback, and identifying the root causes of issues. He encourages being open to constructive criticism and believes that staying relevant requires consistently proving one’s value. He notes that new AI innovations are rapidly transforming the world, much like mainframes did in the past, only now with more advanced and user-friendly technology.
Notable contributions include:
- BOLD TALKS: Christopher Christopher Rence on Data Security, Bold Leadership & Transforming Trust
- Book: World War ‘D’ The Intersection of Cyber and Biological Pandemics – A speculative non-fiction work exploring parallels between COVID-19 and cyber threats, providing practical steps for data security and drawing on Rence’s C-suite experience.
Quick Takes (It will be designed separately)
- One tool or app you would recommend to professionals in your industry:
- My Blackberry phone—I’m old school.
- One quote that motivates you the most:
- “To win in the marketplace you must first win in the workplace” – Doug Conant.
- One piece of advice you would offer to upcoming entrepreneurs or future business leaders:
- Stay curious and always ask why and how things work.
- One movie or book you recommend everyone in business or leadership should experience:
- The Wolf of Wall Street – a reminder that integrity is essential.
Christopher Rence’s 5 Powerful Business Mantras
- Stay Hands-On: Lead by example and work closely with your teams to understand challenges and drive solutions.
- Embrace Curiosity: Always ask why and how things work; never stop learning.
- Take Calculated Risks: Innovation requires stepping out of the comfort zone.
- Learn from Mistakes: Failures are stepping stones to growth and stronger strategies.
- Protect What Matters: Focus on safeguarding critical assets while staying relevant in a fast-changing world.
