BLOG: NetApp Cloud Backup DataLock and Ransomware Protection

December 12th, 2022 BLOG: NetApp Cloud Backup DataLock and Ransomware Protection
Seth Tollefson
Solutions Architect

 

NetApp recently introduced DataLock, a new feature that integrates with Cloud Backup and the entire NetApp ecosystem. DataLock allows on-premises snapshots to be locked and replicated to the cloud object store, making them immutable. Now, NetApp Cloud Backup provides the option to set DataLock and Ransomware Scan features on backup data in the cloud, adding to its existing safety features, ransomware protection, and the dark-site deployment option.

NetApp customers have been looking for SnapMirror in the cloud, and now they have DataLock to help them meet the requirements of their ransomware protection and cybersecurity strategies.

 

Why Companies Need NetApp DataLock and Ransomware Protection

 

Companies must meet business requirements related to internal policies around data immutability and ransomware protection. DataLock has a governance mode designed to help companies meet internal requirements. The governance mode gives administrators the ability to overwrite or delete protected object storage data during the retention period.

Not only do organizations need to meet internal requirements, but they must follow external regulatory compliance and cyber insurance regulations for data security. NetApp DataLock can be used to help companies adhere to third-party requirements concerning data protection and disaster recovery.

To help companies meet industry regulations, DataLock has a compliance mode. When selected, the DataLock compliance mode prevents any user from overwriting or deleting data during a specified retention period. Compliance mode is ideal in highly regulated environments with strict data retention requirements.

With DataLock, companies can set compliance policies and snapshot retention periods to meet their industry requirements. 

Benefits of DataLock and Ransomware Protection

 

Along with satisfying the requirements industry regulators set for compliance and cyber insurance companies’ demand for approving and renewing policies, DataLock and ransomware protection have many other benefits.

DataLock provides protection against accidental and malicious deletions of data. The feature also maintains authenticity of protected data, ensuring that business decisions are made based on accurate information.

As ransomware attacks continue to be pervasive, preventing unauthorized deletions of data has become a critical requirement for many NetApp customers. Today’s ransomware attacks target backup data by overwriting or deleting it, making protecting a company’s backups crucial.

DataLock uses artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) to perform Ransomware Scans that detect ransomware and initiate the recovery process. Ransomware scans can be run on the protected backup copy via scheduled task or on-demand by the user.

The DataLock feature provides protection against ransomware attacks by using consistent copies of protected snapshots to recover and restore data to on-premises.

The added layer of protection DataLock provides against ransomware includes:

  • Air-gapped backups
  • Immutability
  • Indelibility
  • End-to-end protection
  • Dark-site deployments

Backup data stays immutable and protected from ransomware attacks end to end, from the source to the destination. 

Compatibility of NetApp DataLock

 

NetApp DataLock uses both SnapMirror Cloud (SM-C) and Active Data Connector (ADC). Supported systems include on-premises ONTAP clusters and Cloud Volumes ONTAP (CVO).

The DataLock feature is supported for use in the cloud and on-premises and provides on-premises dark-site support with NetApp StorageGRID.

DataLock currently supports Amazon Web Services (AWS) S3 and StorageGRID. Microsoft Azure and Google Cloud Platform (GCP) support are expected around the end of 2022, expanding the compatibility of the DataLock feature.

More Information

 

As a NetApp Star partner, Mainline Information Systems delivers enterprise storage solutions that are efficient, reliable, and cost-effective. Our top-level partnership assures clients that we maintain the stringent Star partner certification requirements across the NetApp storage family of products, plus we are backed by a strong relationship with the NetApp team. For more information on how we can help you, contact your Mainline Account Representative directly, or reach out to us here.

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