Beyond the breach: Storage turns cyberdefense into resilience

Cybersecurity evolved from a fortress mentality in the 1990s—think firewalls and antivirus as a “keep out” sign—to a detection-focused scramble in the 2010s, with security information and event management (SIEM) dashboards chasing ransomware shadows.

Even then, the old “stop ’em at the gate” mindset hung on, and backups were left to IT. By 2020, with downtime threatening survival and backups under attack, cyber resilience emerged: less castle, more judo—absorb the hit, redirect, keep going. Security teams leaned into Zero Trust and network defenses, but storage remained a blind spot, stuck in the handoff myth that backups absolve them. Let’s shine a light on that blind spot.

Storage isn’t a backroom player—it’s the battlefield. Security obsesses over perimeters and endpoints, but data is the real target; Sophos noted that 94% of 2024 attacks hit backups. Resilience beats nightly snapshots—it’s active defense where your data sits. NetApp predicted this trend—cybersecurity “stop it” to resilience “survive it” hinges on storage. Security teams’, your blind spot is their jackpot.

Resilience is the new imperative, a mindset shift from “keep them out” to “keep us going.” Storage isn’t a footnote; it’s the foundation. NetApp’s comprehensive capabilities—ransomware protection, backup, disaster recovery, data governance—make it the linchpin of your security posture. A solid backup practice isn’t enough; you need a system that detects, protects, and recovers, all where your data lives.

NetApp flips the script. We provide the most secure storage on the planet, packing a full arsenal to enhance your security posture where it counts. Here’s how.

Built-in security by design. Harden NetApp^® ONTAP^® with built-in capabilities to block malicious file types, both multi-admin verification and multifactor authentication; immutable tamper-proof Snapshot™ copies; and end-to-end encryption for data at rest and in flight. Capabilities include our newly released quantum-ready storage so your data is protected now for what may happen in the quantum future, compliant with the NIST post-quantum cryptography encryption standards.

Real-time detection and response. Say hello to AI-powered NetApp Autonomous Ransomware Protection (ARP/AI), your storage-layer pit bull that sniffs out encryption in real time for file, block (dropping later this year), and ARP for native cloud by using Amazon FSx for NetApp ONTAP. NetApp detection analyzes your hybrid cloud sprawl, slamming tamper-proof Snapshot copies into place before ransomware can even flex, slashing recovery time from days to minutes. Add a NetApp cyber vault that air gaps your crown jewels, locking them in a hardened digital bunker. Your data doesn’t just sit there like a chump—it fights back. And for those sneaky user behavior red flags? Same deal, flipped through storage workload security lens watches for red-flag user behavior anomalies. And it’s not just watching; it hunts for the culprits and blocks them before they can do any damage.

Fast orchestration for workload defense. Picture this: your hybrid multicloud sprawl, tamed by a single SaaS dashboard that doesn’t care about limitations. This isn’t just storage security—it’s a conductor’s baton for NetApp’s full orchestra of security capabilities delivered as a service, triggered with just one smug click. Hook it into your SIEM, and you’ve got a live feed of threats without the usual chaos. Forget endless training sessions for your team; this is plug-and-play productivity, letting your crew focus on crushing it instead of deciphering manuals. 

Backup. NetApp backup and recovery as a service delivers cost-effective, immutable, write once, read many (WORM) backups—attackers can’t touch them. It’s backup that extends to hybrid cloud environments, with rapid restores that shrink downtime to minutes and can lower your costly backup practice. Already using a backup vendor? No problem, NetApp has an extensive partner ecosystem and integration with all your favorites.

Disaster recovery. NetApp disaster recovery as a service recovers data across sites or clouds almost instantly. Our SaaS-based disaster recovery solution uses proven SnapMirror® technology to significantly lower both cost and complexity. When disaster hits—cyber or otherwise—you’re back online before your coffee gets cold, keeping clients happy and revenue flowing.

Data governance. NetApp data classification maps your data, finding the sensitive data and classifying it. You encrypt what matters, lock down access, and meet all audit requirements. It’s visibility that turns chaos into control, dodging regulatory fines and reputational damage.

Tap into NetApp Professional Services to get a basic lay of your land for your security on NetApp storage. We will map your storage turf—think security assessment or ONTAP hardening on steroids. Drop us a line, and our pros will roll up, sleeves already hiked, ready to turn your setup into a ransomware-repelling fortress. No fluff, just results.

Companies stuck on prevention are outdated. Shifting from “keep out” to “keep going” is key, with storage as the backbone. NetApp’s ransomware protection, backup, and recovery make it central to security. A breach is inevitable. Will you fail or recover? NetApp strengthens storage for resilience—survival is non-negotiable.

Learn more about NetApp cyber resilience, the most secure storage on the planet.

Visit us at the RSA Conference 2025, April 28-May 1, Moscone Center, San Francisco, CA, NetApp Booth #259.

Set up a meeting with NetApp security experts at the RSA Conference to learn why NetApp is the most secure storage on the planet.