Manual Air Gaps Leave Data Exposed
DIY storage often relies on disconnecting hardware to create an air gap. IT teams may also use logical air gaps, such as disabling a network port with a script or rotating media. However, both methods share the same weakness: they depend entirely on human actions. If a step is missed, delayed, or fails to trigger, backups remain online and exposed to ransomware.
Imagine a backup finishing overnight, but the air gap did not apply until the next morning. That’s hours of exposure—and attackers only need a moment. These extra steps create risks that a purpose-built backup appliance eliminates.
Immutability Happens Too Late
Immutability means data can’t be changed or deleted. With DIY storage, immutability only takes effect after manual steps are complete. During the backup process, data is still mutable and exposed.
This matters because ransomware often targets backups first. If attackers strike during that window, they can encrypt or delete files before they’re protected. Immediate immutability isn’t optional—it’s essential.
For more information, check out our whitepaper on Absolute Immutability.
Root Access Expands the Attack Surface
DIY setups typically run on Linux or Windows servers, giving administrators root or admin-level access. While convenient, these privileges create a major security risk. If an admin account is compromised—or the underlying OS is exploited—attackers gain root privileges, including ability to destroy backups.
Privileged accounts are a common target for ransomware. Every extra layer of access increases risk, and DIY storage makes that risk harder to manage.
Maintenance Is a Constant Burden
DIY storage isn’t a “set it and forget it” solution. IT teams must keep hardware, firmware, and software updates aligned across multiple vendors. Each update adds complexity and potential downtime.
For organizations with limited staff or expertise, this becomes a significant drain on time and resources. What starts as a cost-saving measure often turns into an ongoing maintenance headache.
“DIY storage may look attractive because it avoids large capital expenses. But in reality, it trades reliability and security for the illusion of savings. When ransomware hits, those tradeoffs become painfully clear.” Russell Hoffman, Competitive Intelligence Specialist
How Object First Is Different
Object First helps reduce mistakes, save time for IT teams, and ensure backups are immutable, so they’re reliable during recovery.
The Object First appliance eliminates vulnerabilities without adding additional complexity:
- Zero Time to Immutability: Object lock ensures data is immutable the moment it’s written with no delays or gaps.
- No Root Access: The Object First appliance runs on a hardened Linux OS with zero access to perform destructive actions, so that nobody, not even the most privileged admin or attacker with admin credentials, can modify or delete your data.
- Built in Simplicity: Reduces management complexity with built-in hardware redundancy, self-healing, and performance optimization.
With Object First, resilience isn’t variable—it’s built in. You get simplicity, security, and peace of mind without sacrificing performance or scalability.
