The increasing threat of cyberattacks requires advanced security solutions, especially for businesses that rely on sensitive data. With the introduction of Airgap+, QNAP has integrated a new feature into its Hybrid Backup Sync (HBS) software that provides businesses with enhanced protection against ransomware and faster data recovery. This innovative solution provides a logical air-gap between NAS systems, greatly enhancing the security of data backups.
Important innovations at a glance:
- Easy activation: Airgap+ can be set up quickly and easily in the HBS backup jobs.
- Increased backup speed: Thanks to the support of 10/25/100GbE networks, Airgap+ significantly accelerates the backup and restoration of data.
- Expandability: NAS systems can be easily expanded or migrated to more powerful models.
- Reduced maintenance: Unlike traditional tape backups, Airgap+ requires no additional hardware or complex cabling.
How Airgap+ works
Airgap+ relies on a logical air-gap between the source NAS and the target NAS to protect data backups from attacks. This air-gap works in combination with the QHora router series from QNAP. During backup operations, the router allows a connection between the two NAS devices and blocks it at all other times. This adds an extra layer of security that minimizes the risk of ransomware or other malware accessing the backed up data.
One advantage over traditional tape backups or cloud backups is the simple configuration of Airgap+. Users can select the physical ports in the HBS 3 settings and thus control the connection between the devices. The high-speed network support of QNAP NAS systems also allows backup and restore operations to be completed faster, which is particularly beneficial for large amounts of data.
In addition to speed, Airgap+ also offers enhanced data security by enabling WORM (Write Once, Read Many). This function ensures that data cannot be changed once it has been backed up, guaranteeing a high level of integrity for the stored information. In addition, the system supports easy expandability by hot-swapping drives so that growing companies can react flexibly to increasing storage requirements.
Advantages over conventional backups
Compared to conventional LTO tape backups, Airgap+ offers a number of advantages. Tape backups often require additional hardware and regular maintenance, whereas Airgap+ can be integrated directly into the existing network structure. This reduces effort and lowers operating costs. At the same time, companies benefit from the ability to switch NAS systems on and off remotely, which further increases efficiency.
Another important advantage is the flexibility of Airgap+ when restoring data. Thanks to the powerful network support of up to 100GbE, companies can restore data quickly and minimize downtime. This is particularly important when it comes to business-critical information where every minute counts.
“Airgap+ is an important step for organizations looking to improve their data protection strategies. By deploying Airgap+ in combination with existing data integrity checks, QNAP NAS solutions help organizations to more easily upgrade their backup plan to a modern 3-2-1-1-0 strategy,” said Amol Narkhede, Director of SAAS Backup and Data Management BU.
Compatibility and future prospects
QNAP has designed Airgap+ to work with the latest models in the QHora router series. Both the QHora-321 and QHora-322 support this functionality, with both models designed for different network requirements. The QHora-321 offers six 2.5GbE ports, while the QHora-322 has an additional three 10GbE ports. Both routers use the QuRouter v2.4.2 or higher operating system to support the Airgap+ function.
The introduction of Airgap+ underscores QNAP’s commitment to providing organizations with advanced yet easy-to-use data protection solutions. As Dale Chen, VP Sales & Marketing Division Europe, emphasized, QNAP’s software portfolio is continuously evolving to meet customers’ needs, often at no additional cost.
Conclusion
With Airgap+, QNAP offers a powerful solution for organizations looking to take their data protection strategy to the next level. The combination of easy setup, fast recovery and robust security makes Airgap+ an ideal choice for organizations looking to protect themselves from the growing threats of ransomware. Available in combination with the QHora router series (QHora-321 and QHora-322) and HBS 3, Airgap+ is sure to make an important contribution to data security in modern IT infrastructures.
