Immutable backup storage plus zero trust - the best ransomware defence

Object First has released research that finds 81% of IT professionals say immutable backup storage built on Zero Trust principles is the best defense against ransomware, and 54% view target backup appliances as more secure than integrated appliances. The report, conducted by Informa TechTarget’s Enterprise Strategy Group and sponsored by Object First, highlights the growing need for IT teams to apply Zero Trust principles to their backup environments.

“According to the research, almost every organization (96%) that has experienced a ransomware attack in the past two years said that their backup data has been targeted at least once,” said Anthony Cusimano, Director of Solutions Marketing. “This underscores the urgent need to prioritize data resilience by adopting robust, Zero Trust backup storage solutions with true immutability to defend against evolving threats.”

Many organisations still have gaps in their data recovery and backup strategies. Enterprise Strategy Group’s findings highlight the importance of securing the backup environment to effectively recover or protect from the impact of a ransomware attack. These include:

Most Organisations Fall Victim to Ransomware, and Recovery is Uncertain: Two-thirds of organizations suffered an attack, and 45% experienced multiple attacks. Moreover, 49% of affected organizations took up to five business days to recover, and most could not recover all of their data.

Immutable Backups are Essential for Ransomware Protection: 94% of IT decision-makers said that immutable backups are essential to achieving a comprehensive ransomware protection strategy and recommended industry solutions that are simple and easy to deploy.

Modern Security Principles Work Better Together: Over 90% of IT decision-makers said that Zero Trust principles, storing backup copies in multiple locations, and segmenting backup software and storage provide the defense needed to protect against ransomware threats.

Target-based Backup Storage is Preferred: IT organizations view target backup appliances as more aligned with Zero Trust principles (77%) than integrated appliances, offering better overall security (54%) and stronger backup/restore performance (35%).

Multiple Immutable Backup Copies are Critical for Recovery: Only 58% of organizations polled follow the 3-2-1 rule (three copies of data, stored on two different types of media, with one copy kept off-site); similarly, only 59% deploy immutable storage. Relying solely on traditional backup methods is no longer enough; a modern data protection strategy requires immutable backup storage as part of a multi-layered security strategy.

“Ransomware is changing how organizations approach backup and data protection. As backup infrastructure faces more threats, IT teams recognize that immutability is key to protecting data,” commented Simon Robinson, Principal Analyst at Enterprise Strategy Group. “Organizations should strongly consider target appliances that align with Zero Trust principles, and IT leaders should look for solutions that offer a comprehensive range of security features tailored to their needs.”