What are Immutable Backups, and What Makes them Useful?

We have frequently espoused the benefits of data backups, referring to how critical they are should your business experience a disaster at any scale. However, there is always the concern that your backups could also be altered negatively. This is one reason that immutable backups exist.

Let’s take a few moments to examine the concept of an immutable backup and its benefits.

First and Foremost, What is an Immutable Backup?

An immutable backup is completely unchangeable (as in, it can’t even be deleted).

This is possible thanks to a WORM (Write Once, Read Many) configuration. Once data with this configuration is saved, it is locked in place and cannot be altered until a predetermined time has passed, or until you purposely make the data editable.

There are plenty of reasons for a business to want to create immutable backups, particularly when utilizing cloud storage. For instance:

Data Protection and Security

Data security is critical nowadays, both for internal data and for data saved in offsite storage, like the cloud, particularly for backup and disaster recovery purposes. When your data is saved in an immutable backup, the lock prevents an unauthorized user from viewing it by greeting them with an error message. This helps keep your essential data more secure.

Compliance

Many industries are beholden to considerable compliance requirements that involve stringent data protection needs but require them to keep this data for a long time. Immutable data backups help ensure this data is available to you indefinitely, or at least practically so.

Possession and Evidence

In legal matters, it is important that you have a record of where data has been and who has accessed it. An immutable backup helps establish a chain of custody over your data and preserves the evidence you need to save.

Working with Us Can Help You Better Manage Your Data and Its Security

Contact our team at SMART Services to learn more about what we can do for you. Call us at 586 258-0650 today.