Wasabi unveils hidden backup feature to thwart cyber attacks

Wasabi Technologies has introduced a new feature aimed at shielding data from cyber threats, as attacks on backup and storage systems become increasingly common across sectors such as healthcare, government and financial services.

Backup attacks

Backup and recovery systems have been under increased threat from cybercriminals. Incidents targeting public services and critical infrastructure have highlighted risks associated with attackers deleting or encrypting backup data to prevent recovery. This escalation has left organisations searching for secure methods to store data copies beyond the reach of attackers.

Hidden data

Wasabi's new feature, known as Covert Copy, allows account managers to create logically air-gapped, immutable copies of storage buckets. These copies are concealed within the corporate environment and cannot be located, enumerated, or tampered with by either users or cyber attackers. Access or modification requires multi-user authentication, providing an added layer of protection even if attackers have breached primary backup systems.

Sector focus

The development is particularly relevant for sectors handling sensitive data or operating under strict regulatory requirements. Healthcare providers, financial institutions, and public sector organisations face heightened risks from ransomware and other attacks. Wasabi's solution is designed to support compliance frameworks including HIPAA, GDPR, UK GDPR, and SEC standards.

Implementation simplicity

Setting up Covert Copy requires minimal technical complexity. Users can select data to protect through a straightforward interface, eliminating the need for multiple tools and complex policies. The approach seeks to simplify the creation of a hidden backup vault without introducing significant management overhead.

Data security spending

Analyst forecasts from IDC anticipate global security spending will increase by 12.2% year on year in 2025. This rise is attributed in part to organisations bolstering their cyber resilience in response to trends such as the AI-driven rise in data sensitivity and increased criminal interest in backup environments.

Regulatory requirements

Regulatory scrutiny around data security continues to grow, with organisations now routinely required to demonstrate strong safeguards for sensitive data. The imposition of standards such as GDPR has prompted companies to seek solutions that provide verifiable immutability and protection from internal as well as external threats.

Cost structure

Covert Copy is available at no additional cost to users of Wasabi's Hot Cloud Storage platform and does not incur egress fees. The feature is intended to complement existing capabilities such as data encryption, bucket replication, object lock, and multi-user authentication-a combination designed to strengthen overall cyber resilience programmes.

Cyber resilience

"Organisations are under increasing pressure, both internally and from regulators, to ensure that their data is untouchable," said David Boland, Vice President of Cloud Strategy, Wasabi Technologies. "However, implementing strategic data protection programs is often difficult, time-consuming, and expensive. Covert Copy enables enterprises to seamlessly and affordably ensure their data is completely hidden from bad actors and ransomware attacks. For cyber attackers, you can't attack what you can't see."