Quantum Scalar Ransom Block and Associated Features for Cyber Protection
When it comes to data integrity and cyber protection, Quantum Scalar Tape systems offer three specific features
that provide different levels of security for protecting data stored on tape: Active Vault, Logical Tape Blocking, and
Ransom Block. These features are automated, can be initiated remotely without requiring human intervention, and
all are exclusive to Quantum. These features are explained below in order of increasing security.
Active Vault
The Active Vault feature enables tapes to be moved into a secure,
isolated in-library vault partition that has no network connectivity and
is not visible to any application or network. This feature provides an
additional layer of security on top of tapes stored in an active partition,
though there is still a small risk of data compromise in the unlikely event
that the tape library is hacked. Active Vault works with any application
and provides an additional layer of security for media without exposing
them to the environmental dangers inherent in manually handling tapes
or removing them from the library.
Logical Tape Blocking
Logical Tape Blocking is a software policy-based block
that’s placed on a tape magazine. When a tape is moved
into a covered magazine, Logical Tape Blocking denies
future requests to move that tape elsewhere, such as
into a drive, providing an additional layer of security
on top of Active Vault. To allow blocked tapes to be
accessed again, the magazine must be ejected from the
library and then re-inserted; operations that require the
operator to be physically present at the library. Logical
Tape Blocking may be enabled remotely, but can only
be disabled using the local library operator panel, again
requiring physical presence in the data center. Logical
Tape Blocking may be used on its own, but is ideally
used with Active Vault and Ransom Block to provide the
best security.
Ransom Block
The Scalar Ransom Block feature employs a simple and unique concept to create a physical barrier between data
stored on tapes and the network connected tape library. Tapes stored in the library sit in a magazine. Quantum’s
patent-pending design partially ejects the magazine so the tapes cannot be picked by the robot until an operator
physically re-inserts the magazine. Because the magazine is only partially ejected, the barcode scanner on the
robot can still scan the tape barcodes, so that system administrators can perform periodic audits of the tape
system to ensure tapes are still present.
The tapes are inaccessible until an operator, who must have physical access to the tape library, re-inserts the
magazine. Ransom Block provides the highest layer of security. It protects data on tapes from remote attack
as securely as exporting the media and putting it in a vault, but with the advantage that their presence may be
verified at any time, even from afar.
Contact your BackupWorks Account rep today and
ask about Quantum Scalar i3 Tape Libraries at 866 801 2944