Businesses are being attacked by ransomware every 11 seconds, resulting in considerable data loss and downtime. What’s more, hackers are increasingly targeting backups to prevent recovery. This is the reason why it’s more important than ever to build an immutability-focused backup strategy. The lack of immutability means your data cannot be altered or deleted, providing you a formidable last line of defense. 

With this guide, you’ll learn how to secure your backups and outwit ransomware before it’s too late.

What Is Backup Immutability – and Why It Matters

Backup immutability is just when you store your data on a backup, and those backup copies cannot be modified, deleted, or altered in any way for a period of time. Then, no matter who tries to access or change those backups, whether it’s a hacker, a rogue employee, or a ransomware virus, they’ll fail. This is due to unchangeable backups being locked until their scheduled expiration.

This protection is key: Ransomware doesn't just want to infect your live systems, it wants to encrypt or delete your backups to ensure that you can't recover. But when you have immutable backups, your data is preserved and is clean to restore from after such an attack.

One reliable solution for this approach is using Veeam storage by Object First, which helps ensure your backups remain untouched and ready for recovery when you need them most.

Here is why backup immutability matters:

Stops Insider Threats and Malware

Even trusted users or malware that is already within your network remain more secure because of immutability. It prevents unauthorized changes regardless of their source.

Supports Regulatory Compliance

There is a need for permanent storage of data in many applications. "Immutable backups help organizations meet legal and industry requirements by keeping data in an unaltered state.

Provides a Reliable Last Line of Defense

As a last resort, immutable backups will mean you at least have clean, uncorrupted data. It’s the fail-safe when you desperately need to get systems back online without paying a ransom.

Common Backup Strategy Pitfalls That Fail Against Ransomware

Many businesses assume that they are safe simply because they back up their data, but that isn’t the case. Some common misunderstandings about how to back up your data can also leave you vulnerable to ransomware.

Putting Too Much Stock in Traditional Backups

The daily backups or snapshots help, but aren’t fully adequate. Should ransomware strike before the next backup, your data might be up to four hours old. Making matters worse, backups in the same system might also get infected.

No Air-Gap / Immutable Storage

Backups that are convenient to access, all the time, are easy meat for hackers, too. Unless your backups are air-gapped (physically separate) and immutable (unable to be altered), ransomware can find and destroy the backup files.

Poor Monitoring and Security

Without anyone watching your systems, you can overlook attacks. Weak passwords, old software, and the absence of monitoring — all the usual factors which make it easier for malware to get in and do damage.

Slow Responses and 'Dirty Ads'

Then again, ransomware bides its time before it strikes. If you fail to find it quickly, it may already be on your backups. The issue just returns when you restore from them.

Core Principles of an Immutability-Focused Backup Strategy

To build a ransomware-resistant backup strategy, you’ll need to do more than just basic backup practices. These fundamental principles are designed to keep your data safe and highly recoverable:

The 3-2-1 Rule +1

(A popular rule of thumb for backing up is called the 3-2-1 Rule: Keep three copies of the data, store it on two types of media, with one copy offsite, and throw in an immutable data copy that can’t be modified or deleted.)

The Zero Trust Backup Infrastructure

Trust no one by default. Always validate your users and actions. Restrict access or changes to backups.

Air-Gapping & Object Locking

Keep your backups in a manner that isolates them physically or logically (air-gapped). Use object locking to set how long files are unchangeable except by the server.

Encryption & Role-Based Access

Secure data in a way that, if it is stolen, it remains unreadable. Leverage role-based access to regulate who is able to do what in your backup system.

Regular Testing

Practice back and restore frequently to ensure all systems are go when a real emergency arrives.

Technologies and Storage Solutions That Support Immutability

To save your backups from ransomware, you should take advantage of the proper technology and the storage that supports immutability. Immutability can be broadly classified into two types: hardware and software.

1. Physical immutability: It employs proprietary storage devices that physically prevent changes to written data over time. These devices commonly include WORM (Write Once, Read Many) technology so that you can write data to them only once, and then it can’t be modified or deleted.
2. Immutability by software: It works by a software method to lock files and backups. This is something that is a feature of backup solutions or cloud storage services that allow you to apply policies so that you cannot delete or change them.

Building Your Immutability-Focused Strategy: Step-by-Step

Designing an effective backup with immutability involves clear steps:

1. Assess Your Current Backup Environment

Just check out what backup you already have. Are they protected? Are there copies kept elsewhere? Look at what kinds of storage you use.

1. Identify Gaps in Immutability and Air-Gapping

Identify soft spots where backups can be altered or deleted. Consider whether your backups are physically or logically separated (air‑gapped) from the systems they back up.

1. Choose the Right Backup and Storage Solution

Choose technologies that enforce immutability, such as WORM object storage or software that locks backups.

1. Set Retention Policies and Lock Periods

Determine how long you want backups to remain immutable. Establish strict rules to keep data under lock and key during that period.

1. Monitor and Test Regularly

Keep an eye on backup health. Test your restore process frequently and ensure that you can restore quickly if needed.

Conclusion 

Immutability is not a luxury. It is essential for securing your backups from ransomware. By making smart storage decisions and exercising good security practices, you form a solid last line of protection. Don’t test your strategy in a disaster. Now is the time to begin crafting an immutability- and backup-centric plan.