Having a backup storage system that can be trusted to bring critical data back quickly in the event of a ransomware attack is emerging as a key requirement in enterprise cybersecurity.

Sterling Wilson, Field CTO at Object First, talks with theCUBE about backup storage.

This need is also a core tenet for Object First Inc., the Veeam-focused, object-based backup solutions company. Its Ootbi offering, named for “out-of-the-box immutability,” is designed to deliver secure storage that leverages Veeam’s direct-to-object functionality with zero malicious access to enterprise operating systems. This has become more critical as users rely on key data sets to power artificial intelligence models.

“Using a solution such as Object First and Ootbi really brings into effect the insurance of your data, being able to go back to previous data sets,” said Sterling Wilson (pictured), field chief technology officer at Object First. “It allows you to leverage a couple of different things. One is to be able to trust the data itself, and the second is to be able to test those data sets when you’re bringing that data back after an attack using AI to then rehabilitate those data streams. Looking at those workloads in walled-off virtual lab environments before they’re placed in production will not only be nice to have, it will be a ‘must have’ in being able to trust those models.”

Wilson spoke with theCUBE’s Christophe Bertrand at the Data Protection & AI Summit, during an exclusive broadcast on theCUBE, SiliconANGLE Media’s livestreaming studio. They discussed key data protection requirements for IT organizations in the age of AI. (* Disclosure below.)

Spotlight on backup storage

Overlooked at one time in the AI conversation, storage has moved into the spotlight as IT organizations evaluate architectural solutions and data protection policies. This has been noticeable for Wilson, who has found himself increasingly in the same room with security staff in various presentations.

“There used to be a point in time when procuring a solution such as an Object First or an Ootbi or a Veeam was really seen by storage administrators, storage architects, data center architects,” Wilson said. “Now, in almost every single workshop discussion that I am in, security teams are in there as well because they have to vet the solution. They have to make sure that secure protocols are used and, moreover, they want to make sure that it’s third-party tested. You just can’t trust any solution saying, ‘Well, we’re good.’”

The rise of agentic AI has led to an increased focus on leveraging the technology to protect against an inevitable AI-driven attack. Threat actors are using AI to amplify malicious attacks, and Verizon’s most recent cybersecurity report noted a doubling in AI-assisted malicious emails over the past two years.

“Agentic AI is a must for us on the good-guy side because the bad guys will be leveraging this starting yesterday … and it’s going to continue to increase that tomorrow,” Wilson said. “Agentic AI means that on the nefarious side, these attacks are going to be nonstop.”

Preparation and planning will be key elements in the battle to protect enterprise data, according to Wilson. That includes a thorough understanding of where data is located throughout the organization so it can be properly backed up.

“Have a resilience plan, first and foremost,” he noted. “Make sure you understand where your data is. You would be so surprised at how many people think they’re backing up or they’re protecting their core data, but they have a ton of data on the periphery, as well. Make sure you have a plan to protect that data and make sure you’re using solutions and toolsets that you can trust.”

Here’s the complete video interview, part of SiliconANGLE’s and theCUBE’s coverage of the Data Protection & AI Summit:

(* Disclosure: Object First Inc. sponsored this segment of theCUBE. Neither Object First nor other sponsors have editorial control over content on theCUBE or SiliconANGLE.)

Photo: SiliconANGLE