Acronis, a global leader in cyber protection and hybrid cloud solutions currently celebrating its 15-year anniversary, announced a major update to the Acronis Data Cloud platform. The Acronis Data Cloud 7.8 update introduces complete cloud-to-cloud Microsoft Office 365 protection, enhanced ransomware protection, and a blockchain-powered data notarization and e-signature solution for service providers.

Among service providers, Acronis Data Cloud is already known for supporting native integration with the most popular hosting automation platforms, Professional Services Automation (PSA) systems, and Remote Monitoring and Management (RMM) tools and offers comprehensive service monitoring and reporting. The platform enables service providers to easily take the new services to the market through their existing client management infrastructure.

"There is a great opportunity for services providers to build a business by meeting the demands of the growing cyber protection market. The latest edition of the Acronis Data Cloud platform provides a set of products that providers can use to market their own comprehensive backup, and ransomware protection solutions," said Phil Goodwin, Research Director, Cloud Data Management and Protection, IDC

With today's update, Acronis also incorporates the previously announced integration with Google Cloud and Microsoft Azure Cloud Services, which follows Acronis' strategy to protect all data, applications, and systems, while giving users complete control and flexibility over their protected data. Through this native integration, service providers will be able to send backups to Google Cloud Storage and Microsoft Azure Storage without requiring complicated configurations or agreement processing. Managed service providers (MSPs) will be able to leverage Google and Azure data centers with just a click under their existing Acronis contract. The integration will improve the ability of partners and customers to choose the storage and provider they prefer, while simplifying contract maintenance for smaller MSPs.

"Everybody needs cyber protection and we make it easy to sell and to use. We listened to our partners' feedback and introduced new features that make it easier for them to meet the needs of their customers," said John Zanni, President of Acronis.

Improvements and new features

Acronis Data Cloud has become easier to use, more secure and more effective for all partners and customers. The latest update brings significant reliability and performance improvements and the following new features:

• Complete Microsoft Office 365 protection. Cloud-to-cloud backup for Exchange Online, OneDrive for Business, and SharePoint Online. Backups are performed directly between Microsoft and one of Acronis' secure cloud data centers. Service providers are able to select the specific country and location of the data center. With Acronis Backup Cloud, users can also search their backup to find and recover individual files or messages.
• Acronis Active Protection's enhanced ransomware detection. Acronis Active Protection monitors for malicious activity, stops questionable behaviour, and automatically recovers damaged files. This release introduces improved machine-learning technology to better recognize known and unknown threats and reduce false positives. The new version also protects network shares and removable devices.
• Acronis Notary Cloud. A new service is introduced in this release, adding to the existing Acronis Backup Cloud and Acronis Files Cloud. Acronis Notary Cloud is a blockchain-based service for file notarization, e-signing and data verification. The service creates a unique digital fingerprint for files and stores it in a public blockchain ledger, enabling independent validation of a file's authenticity and existence at a specified point in time.
• Physical Data Shipping. Users can now perform the initial backup seeding faster by saving the first backup to a local hard drive on the customer's premises and then shipping it to an Acronis data center. The data is fully encrypted to prevent unauthorized access during the transfer.

SAPAS - The five vectors of cyber protection

With every enhancement, Acronis looks to address the five vectors of cyber protection - safety, accessibility, privacy, authenticity, and security (SAPAS) - which ensures Acronis Backup Cloud is an easy, efficient, and secure solution suitable for service providers and customers of any size.

Today's update is no exception. Customer data is even safer and more accessible with the new cloud-to-cloud protection of Microsoft Office 365 workloads, and integration of the Google Cloud and Microsoft Azure storage options. The addition of Acronis Notary Cloud ensures users can easily verify the authenticity of their data. Plus the enhanced functionality of Acronis Active Protection increases the security of their data, apps and systems.

For service providers and users, they also benefit from the ease of use, since all of these capabilities are directed through an intuitive management console, with comprehensive reporting.

Marketing support for service providers

This update is accompanied by a range of sales and marketing materials to help service providers earn more by selling more managed data protection services to their new and existing clients. Acronis invites partners to contact their sales representatives to request the latest datasheets, battlecards, and email templates to assist them with the launch.

New service providers are encouraged to visit https://www.acronis.com/en-us/cloud/service-provider/platform/ to learn more about the Acronis Data Cloud platform.