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Quantum announced a new feature in their Library-portfolio: Scalar Ransom Block.

https://blocksandfiles.com/2021/11/02/quantum-eject-eject-eject-well-partially-eject-tape-to-block-ransomware/

The idea behind is extremely simple: A magazine in the library is partially ejected, so that the robot cannot access these tapes any more! But the ejection is just a few millimeters so the barcode-scanner is still able to see the codes. Ejection can be controlled remotely but to insert the magazine again, a physical manual task is necessary!

 

In my opinion it is a super simple and effective method to protect tapes from attackers that would otherwise be unprotected if tapes would stay in library. But – for sure – it is no protection in the sense of the 3-2-1 rule.

And what do you think when comparing to Libraries Mail Slots?

This is an idea.

Quantum had a mechanism called…. Tapevault (don't remenber exactly.) This was a part of the library which was not accesible directly.

This is an idea.

Quantum had a mechanism called…. Tapevault (don't remenber exactly.) This was a part of the library which was not accesible directly.

You probably mean Active Vault

https://blocksandfiles.com/2020/01/24/quantum-reinforces-tape-air-gap-protection-against-ransomware/

Funny, i had a discussion with a colleague two days ago about this subject. From my POV a tape which is not out or inaccessible break the logic of Airgap.

I mean backup must not be erasable by a backup operator (by software from library or backup).

It’s a new interesting feature from Quantum, thank you for sharing that @vNote42 . I can’t always think and debate about an extra cost who will generate this kind of license.

It will depend of security needs and apprehension of clients, operator on theirs datacenter… Operator on site sometimes could be cheaper than license to rotate tape in fire retard safebox.

btw not available for the moment for scalar i6000 :cry:

This is an idea.

Quantum had a mechanism called…. Tapevault (don't remenber exactly.) This was a part of the library which was not accesible directly.

You probably mean Active Vault

https://blocksandfiles.com/2020/01/24/quantum-reinforces-tape-air-gap-protection-against-ransomware/

Yes, Active Vault, correct 😎

It is an interesting concept for sure but the manual intervention required to push the magazine back in would be the only downside each time.  Amazing how things are changing with tape.

It is an interesting concept for sure but the manual intervention required to push the magazine back in would be the only downside each time.  Amazing how things are changing with tape.

But that's the idea behind: no software can do this, so no bad guy is able to do this - unless he/she is in front of the device.

It is an interesting concept for sure but the manual intervention required to push the magazine back in would be the only downside each time.  Amazing how things are changing with tape.

But that's the idea behind: no software can do this, so no bad guy is able to do this - unless he/she is in front of the device.

Oh I definitely agree with the concept for sure just the hassle to do this part.  :joy:

Here is the Quantum blog article to Ransom Block

https://blog.quantum.com/2021/11/02/ransomware-proof%e2%80%afyour-data-new-ransom-block-and-logical-tape-blocking-features/

Here is the Quantum blog artocle to Ransom Block

https://blog.quantum.com/2021/11/02/ransomware-proof%e2%80%afyour-data-new-ransom-block-and-logical-tape-blocking-features/

Thanks for the link, Jochen!

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