In today’s digital age, data is one of the most valuable assets for organisations. From customer data to intellectual property, organisations have a lot to lose if their data is compromised or lost. This is where backups come in. Backups are critical for ensuring that data is recoverable in the event of a disaster or cyberattack. However, backups are only effective if they are secure, and this is where immutable cloud storage comes into play.

Backup immutability is a recent, but very welcome addition to the Microsoft Azure Cloud Backup feature set. Immutable cloud storage refers to a type of cloud storage where data cannot be modified, deleted, or overwritten once it has been stored. This means that even if an attacker gains access to the backup, they cannot alter or delete it. Immutable storage is crucial for backups because it ensures that data is recoverable, even if the primary copy has been compromised or lost.

From a security perspective, immutable cloud storage offers several benefits:

1. Protection Against Ransomware: Ransomware attacks are on the rise, and they can have devastating consequences for organisations. Attackers use ransomware to encrypt files and demand payment to release the data. Immutable cloud storage can protect against ransomware by preventing attackers from modifying or deleting backups. This means that organisations can recover their data without paying the ransom.
2. Compliance: Financial Services businesses are subject to regulatory requirements that require them to retain data for a certain period. Immutable cloud storage can help organisations to comply with these requirements by ensuring that data is not modified or deleted before the retention period expires.
3. Data Integrity: Immutable cloud storage ensures that data is not tampered with or altered. This is important for organisations that need to maintain the integrity of their data, such as financial institutions or healthcare organisations.
4. Disaster Recovery: In the event of a disaster, such as a natural disaster or a cyberattack, organisations need to be able to recover their data quickly. Immutable cloud storage ensures that backups are available and recoverable, even in the event of a disaster.

Immutable cloud storage is critical for backups from a security perspective as it ensures that data is recoverable, even in the event of a disaster or cyberattack. It protects against ransomware, helps organisations comply with regulatory requirements, maintains data integrity, and ensures that backups are recoverable. Organisations in the finance sector can benefit from immutable cloud storage by ensuring the security and recoverability of their data.