Veeam has officially announced the acquisition of Object First - a company specializing in backup appliances with built-in immutability. This acquisition holds particular significance as Object First was founded by Veeam’s creators - Ratmir Timashev and Andrei Baronov.
What is Object First?
Object First is the manufacturer of Ootbi (Out-of-the-Box Immutability) - dedicated storage appliances designed specifically for Veeam environments. The product’s main goal is providing ransomware protection through immutable backups.
Key Features of Ootbi:
- Zero-Trust Architecture - security architecture assuming no trust
- Native S3 Object Storage - native S3 protocol with Object Lock
- Out-of-the-Box Immutability - backup immutability from minute one
- Turnkey Deployment - ready to use in 15 minutes
- Honeypot Detection - attack detection through decoy environment
📚 Read the complete guide: Backup: Zasada 3-2-1 i najlepsze praktyki backupu
What Does This Mean for the Veeam Ecosystem?
The Object First acquisition expands Veeam’s portfolio with a dedicated backup appliance that complements existing options:
| Solution | Type | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Veeam Data Platform | Software | Main backup platform |
| Veeam Cloud Vault | Cloud storage | Cloud backup |
| Object First Ootbi | Appliance | On-premises immutable storage |
| HW Partners | Hardware | Flexible storage solutions |
Veeam Remains Software-First
Important: Veeam emphasizes that it remains a software-first and storage-agnostic company. Object First is an additional option, not a replacement for existing hardware partner solutions.
Why This Matters for Ransomware Protection
Ransomware increasingly targets backup infrastructure. Attackers know that destroying backups forces victims to pay ransom. Object First Ootbi addresses this problem through:
1. Immutability by Design
Backups on Ootbi are immutable by default - they cannot be deleted or modified before the retention period expires. Even an administrator with full privileges cannot bypass this protection.
2. Separation from Production Infrastructure
Ootbi operates as a separate appliance with its own operating system, making it difficult for attackers to compromise backups even after taking over the main infrastructure.
3. Attack Detection (Honeypot)
The Honeypot feature creates a decoy environment that detects unauthorized access attempts and alerts the security team.
Ootbi Models and Capacities
Object First offers various models tailored to different needs:
| Model | Capacity | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Ootbi Mini | 8-24 TB | Edge, ROBO, small businesses |
| Ootbi Standard | Up to 192 TB | Medium enterprises |
| Ootbi Cluster | Up to 7 PB | Large enterprises |
Scalability
Ootbi supports multi-node clusters, allowing automatic capacity scaling as needs grow.
What Changes for Partners and Customers?
For Veeam Partners (like nFlo):
- Veeam and Object First partner programs will operate separately
- Ability to add Object First to portfolio
- No changes to existing partner relationships
For Customers:
- Additional backup protection option
- No lock-in - still free to use any storage
- Easier ransomware protection deployment
Integration with Veeam Data Platform
Ootbi is designed for native Veeam integration:
- Automatic Discovery - Veeam automatically recognizes Ootbi as a target
- S3 Object Lock - full support for immutable backups
- Veeam Ready - certified solution
- Monitoring - visibility in Veeam ONE
Fleet Manager - Centralized Management
Object First also introduces Fleet Manager - a tool for centralized management of all Ootbi appliances in an organization:
- Single dashboard for all appliances
- Status and capacity monitoring
- Alerting and reporting
- Update management
When to Consider Object First Ootbi?
Ootbi makes sense when:
- You need a simple, ready-made immutable backup solution
- Ransomware protection is a priority
- You want to separate backup from main storage infrastructure
- You’re looking for a Veeam-certified solution
Ootbi may not be necessary when:
- You already have immutable storage deployed
- You’re using Veeam Cloud Vault
- You prefer building your own infrastructure
Summary
Veeam’s acquisition of Object First is a logical step in data protection ecosystem development. For organizations seeking a simple, dedicated solution for protecting backups against ransomware, Ootbi presents an attractive option.
As a Veeam partner, nFlo can help select the right solution - whether Object First Ootbi, Veeam Cloud Vault, or hardware partner solutions.
Interested in protecting your backups from ransomware? Contact us to discuss the best solution for your organization.
Related Terms
Learn key terms related to this article in our cybersecurity glossary:
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Solutions mentioned in this article that can help protect your organization:
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