DIY Veeam Backup Repository vs Ootbi: Which One is Right for You?

Veeam has long empowered its users with unparalleled flexibility when designing their own data protection setups. This freedom has been a game-changer, offering an alternative to the restrictive, one-size-fits-all solutions some vendors impose. 

However, the rise of ransomware and increasingly sophisticated cyber threats has made the "do-it-yourself" (DIY) approach far riskier. 

In this article, you'll explore the benefits and challenges of building your own Veeam backup repository versus leveraging Ootbi (Out-of-the-Box Immutability) Object First.  

By the end, you'll have a clearer picture of which solution is best suited to your needs in today's IT landscape. 

The Perks of DIY Veeam Backup Repositories 

For years, Veeam has allowed its users to customize their backup repositories. This flexibility has allowed administrators to use solutions like DAS REFS repositories on VMs or separate Linux physical servers with XFS and others. 

Such versatility has been a cost-saving benefit, letting organizations tailor their setups based on their unique needs and expertise. A well-designed DIY repository can be highly effective, especially when managed by a skilled and experienced backup administrator. 

For businesses with knowledgeable IT teams, this approach offers: 

• Cost Efficiency: By leveraging existing infrastructure, organizations can save on storage hardware and additional software licensing costs. 

• Customization: Administrators can optimize repositories to suit specific workloads or compliance requirements. 

• Control: DIY setups provide complete ownership over configurations and updates. 

The Risks of DIY in the Ransomware Era 

However, the landscape changed with the rise of ransomware. DIY solutions often lack the robust data security features required to withstand modern threats. 

Even experienced backup administrators can struggle to secure repositories effectively, leaving organizations vulnerable to significant downtime and financial losses. 

Here are some of the risks that make DIY solutions less practical today: 

• Limited Security Expertise: Most data protection professionals aren’t security specialists, making it easier for attackers to exploit vulnerabilities in DIY setups. 

• Evolving Threats: Cybercriminals are constantly refining their methods, increasing the likelihood of compromised repositories over time. 

• Resource Strain: Securing DIY repositories requires ongoing attention, which can divert IT teams from other critical tasks. 

Extending Zero Trust to Data Resiliency 

Cyberattacks and ransomware target backup data in 96% of attacks. In response to these challenges, Veeam recently introduced the concept of Zero Trust Data Resiliency (ZTDR). 

Inspired by Zero Trust principles, ZTDR takes data protection to the next level by applying them to data backup and recovery. 

Key principles of ZTDR include: 

• Segmentation — separation of backup software and backup storage to enforce least-privilege access, as well as to minimize the attack surface and blast radius. 

• Multiple data resilience zones or security domains to comply with the 3-2-1 backup rule and to ensure multi-layered security. 

• Immutable backup storage to protect backup data from modifications and deletions with Zero access to root and OS, protecting against external attackers and compromised administrators. 

Ootbi by Object First: A Game-Changer for Veeam Backups 

Recognizing the growing risks of DIY backup repositories, Veeam’s founders Ratmir Timashev and Andrei Baronov established Object First and created Ootbi (Out-of-the-Box Immutability). 

Ootbi by Object First delivers on-premises backup storage for Veeam customers that is: 

• Secure: Out-of-the-box immutability with zero access to root. 

• Simple: 15 minutes to deploy and scale with no security expertise required. 

• Powerful: Lightning fast backup up to 4.0GB/s and supercharged Instant Recovery. 

Ootbi is built on the Zero Trust Data Resilience principles, delivering S3 native immutable object storage designed and optimized for unbeatable Veeam backup and recovery performance. 

Conclusion 

DIY solutions once offered flexibility and cost savings for Veeam backup repositories. However, the increasing sophistication of ransomware attacks has made these setups far too risky to manage effectively. 

With Ootbi, you’re not just meeting Zero Trust Data Resilience principles but also freeing your team from the constant burden of monitoring evolving threats and vulnerabilities. When disaster strikes, Ootbi’s immutable backup storage ensures your data remains protected and ready for rapid recovery. 

Book a live Ootbi demo and learn why it’s the Best Storage for Veeam.