Many legacy tools used by service providers are not designed for today’s cyberthreats. The patchwork of software that MSPs have historically relied on for backup and cybersecurity is not integrated, leaving them with a complex set of legacy vendor solutions that are unable to protect their customers’ data, applications, and systems.
Meanwhile, the organizations that rely on service providers are trying to address a new generation of IT needs. IDC research reveals that there are two inextricably intertwined statistics driving a fundamental change in the way IT operations are organized and functioning.
- First, 93% of organizations have experienced a cyberattack within the past three years.
- Second, 40% of them cite the sophistication of attacks and the complexity of security as the greatest challenges.
When these two statistics are combined with IDC’s industry-wide estimate that the cost of downtime is $250,000 per hour for an enterprise, it is not surprising that a significant IT transformation is underway.
IDC notes that data security and availability are the cornerstones of an IT transformation strategy. It also acknowledges that managing data protection across increasingly hybrid environments is becoming more complex as threats become more diverse and sophisticated. Furthermore, the nature of this transformation is increasingly challenging because it entails distributing and collecting data from diverse systems and geographies, which reduces visibility and control of the data for IT staff.
Ultimately, the growth of malware sophistication, ransomware, and targeted attacks is multiplying the major threats to data availability and accuracy, so taking stock of existing defenses and processes is critical.
The evolving approach means that service providers cannot simply rely on legacy solutions and strategies if they expect to continue meeting the needs of their clients.
Data protection and cybersecurity are merging to become cyber protection
Although cybersecurity and data protection have traditionally been treated as separate disciplines, IDC notes they are quickly merging into complementary, linked capabilities. The emerging result is a new IT discipline: cyber protection.
Cyber protection tools may be separate or integrated with threat detection software. These components include backup, offsite disaster recovery, malware detection and protection, intrusion detection, encryption and authentication, and secure tiered storage, including offsite and/or cloud capability.
In addition, new technologies are becoming key to cyber protection. These include artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning techniques to spot the anomalous behavior that often precedes an attack. This is because systems must be able to detect zero-day attacks: dangerous exploits that have not previously been encountered, where waiting for a known threat signature is ineffective.
Similarly, blockchain technology is emerging as an effective technology for ensuring data authenticity as malware attacks against data integrity climb and organizations need ways to prove their data has not been tampered with – regardless of where it’s been stored or backed up (e.g., in public or private clouds).
As a result, IDC recommends that organizations need to embrace a strategy of cyber protection by more closely integrating data protection, disaster recovery, and data security operations.
Acronis is at the forefront of cyber protection solutions
Acronis is at the forefront of the cyber protection revolution, integrating data protection with cybersecurity in a single platform that makes it easy, efficient, and affordable for service providers to create new revenue streams by delivering these next-gen protection solutions.
Through the Acronis Cyber Cloud platform, MSPs and their clients gain access to hybrid cloud backup, disaster recovery, AI-based ransomware protection, enterprise-grade file sync and share, and blockchain-based file notarization and e-signature services – all managed from a single console.
Designed with service providers in mind, it covers servers, virtual machines, traditional applications, cloud-native applications, endpoints at the edge, mobile devices, and any combination thereof. This can include hybrid cloud (on-premises to public cloud) as well as multi-cloud (public to public cloud) – ensuring that a client’s entire IT environment is covered by the most up-to-date cyber protection technology.
IDC outlines why Acronis’ cyber protection approach offers greater control and security for those looking to safeguard IT environments in a full whitepaper that’s available for download.
For MSPs that are tired of dealing with a patchwork of legacy solutions and want to enhance and future-proof their business by offering the popular and proven cyber protection solutions their clients seek, Acronis Cyber Cloud is the platform to consider.
IMPORTANT: Acronis COVID-9 response programs
As global business adjusts to the remote-work environment during the COVID-19 pandemic, clients are counting on service providers to help them adapt. Acronis has put special measures in place so service providers can ensure that their clients have the tools and resources needed to remain secure while being productive.
We are offering service providers Acronis Cyber Files Cloud – our secure, enterprise-grade file sync and share solution – free until July 31, 2020.
For any new customers a service provider partner adds after March 18, Acronis will not charge the net new end customer consumption of any Acronis Cyber Backup Cloud editions between March 18 and July 31, 2020.
Details of these response programs can be found on the Acronis blog.
Guest blog courtesy of Acronis. Read more Acronis guest blogs here.
