The Ransomware Challenge
Modern ransomware attacks don't just encrypt your production data—they actively seek out and destroy your backups. Traditional backup systems are vulnerable because attackers can modify or delete backup files once they gain access to your infrastructure.
How Immutable Storage Works
Air Gap Recover uses AWS S3 Object Lock with WORM (Write Once Read Many) technology to make your backups truly immutable. Once a backup is written, it cannot be modified or deleted—not by ransomware, not by compromised credentials, and not even by your own administrators.
Key Technical Features
- S3 Object Lock Integration - Native AWS immutability at the storage layer
- Compliance Mode - Backups cannot be overwritten or deleted by any user, including root
- Legal Hold Options - Additional protection for critical data requiring extended retention
- Retention Policies - Configurable retention periods from days to years
- Audit Trail - Complete logging of all access attempts and retention policy changes
Real-World Protection
In a ransomware attack scenario, even if attackers gain access to your AWS account with full administrator privileges, they cannot delete or modify your Air Gap Recover backups. The WORM lock is enforced at the AWS infrastructure level, providing a guarantee that your recovery data remains intact.
Compliance Benefits
Immutable storage isn't just about ransomware protection—it's also critical for regulatory compliance:
- SEC 17a-4(f) - Financial services record retention requirements
- FINRA 4511(c) - Securities industry data retention
- HIPAA - Healthcare data integrity requirements
- GDPR - Data protection and integrity mandates
Implementation Details
Air Gap Recover automatically configures S3 Object Lock on your backup buckets during initial setup. You can customize retention periods based on your recovery point objectives (RPO) and compliance requirements. The system supports both time-based retention and legal hold mechanisms.