Enhancing Data Protection With Veeam Immutable Backup Solutions

Real time, immutable backups have become an industry buzzword. However, what are they, and why do they matter? Today, we take a tour through data immutability’s most frequently asked questions, and shine a spotlight on its role in advanced data protection.

What Is Backup Immutability And Why Does It Matter?

Backup immutability refers to files and databases that cannot be altered or deleted. New information can be added, but anything that is placed into the file will remain there. This tamper-resistant protocol was originally invented to ensure transparency in auditing. However, it has risen to prominence in data protection. This is because backup immutability creates real-time, authentic records that can be instantly recalled and restored in the event of a cyberattack, especially the ever growing threat of ransomware.

What’s Different About Veeam Immutability?

Veeam’s V12 solution prioritises the importance of complete backup immutability. This means that the entire chain, and each of its restore points, are protected. As such, the level of security is extremely high, and the trustworthiness of the data is unquestionable. The type of immutability will inevitably depend upon the type of storage an organisation is using. For instance, Azure has its own default set to keep versions forever. What Veeam brings to the table is seamless integration to activate these functionalities.

What Is An Immutability Period?

An immutability period is the amount of time that a dataset cannot be altered, moved, or deleted. Time periods are launched from the last restore point in the backup chain. With Veeam immutable backup, the minimum immutability period is seven days, while the maximum is 9999 days (27 years). The former is designed for less critical data or for temporary increases in security, such as during maintenance work. The latter is for retaining forever-data, such as medical files. Each solution will be tailored to the unique needs of the organisation and will consider everything from the purpose of the data storage to the budget.

Which Storage Types Are Supported By Immutability?

Veeam is particularly angled towards agile organisations. As such, storage versatility is central to the V12 package, and Veeam backup and data recovery can be applied to workloads that are physical or in the cloud. Importantly, virtual, physical, and cloud-based storage types are given equal levels of immutability protection and can be restored simultaneously. As such, organisations with diverse storage environments can recover full operations without interruption. This inclusivity is a hallmark of the Veeam philosophy and can enhance everything from efficiency to resilience.

Are Immutable Backups Expensive?

Immutable backups are advanced, top-range, virtually bulletproof security systems. As such, they can be more expensive than less robust options. This is one of the reasons why the immutability period can be altered, enabling organisations to temporarily scale up their security during times where threats are likely, and scale it down again afterwards. Additionally, Veeam has an automatic ‘Block Generation’ period, reducing I/O operations such as PUT and their associated costs. As such, immutability processes are optimised while data integrity is maintained. However, it is always worth noting that the cost of a data compromise will always be significantly more than the cost of investing in security, so always factor risk into your calculations.

What Next?

To discover whether your organisation could benefit from the advanced protection of immutable backups, why not start with our free Nextstor interactive pricing calculator to calculate your Veeam Cloud Connect costs! Get in touch today.