Backup Solutions

Ransomware Protection

distributor ransomware safe object storage solutions

(ex: Photo by

IT professional inspecting a secure server rack in a European data center, emphasizing data sovereignty and security.

on

(ex: Photo by

IT professional inspecting a secure server rack in a European data center, emphasizing data sovereignty and security.

on

(ex: Photo by

IT professional inspecting a secure server rack in a European data center, emphasizing data sovereignty and security.

on

EU Distributors: Deliver Sovereign, Ransomware-Proof Object Storage Solutions

30.07.2025

11

Minutes

Thomas Demoor

CTO Impossible Cloud

30.07.2025

30.07.2025

11

Minutes

Thomas Demoor

CTO Impossible Cloud

Ransomware attacks are escalating, and unpredictable cloud fees are eroding MSP margins. Distributors need a new class of storage solution that addresses both threats head-on. This article details how European, ransomware-safe object storage provides the answer.

The topic briefly and concisely

Immutable object storage with S3 Object Lock is the most effective defence against ransomware, ensuring backups cannot be altered or deleted by attackers.

EU-sovereign storage solutions built in European data centers eliminate US CLOUD Act exposure and guarantee GDPR compliance for the channel.

A pricing model with zero egress or API fees provides distributors and MSPs with predictable, defensible margins for building profitable backup and recovery services.

For distributors and their channel partners, the dual pressures of increasing ransomware threats and volatile cloud costs create significant business risk. A single attack can cripple an end-customer, while hidden egress and API fees from hyperscale providers make it impossible to build profitable, scalable backup services. The market now demands a solution that is not only secure but also economically predictable. This is where sovereign, S3-compatible object storage emerges, offering a resilient and cost-effective platform for distributors to build high-margin, compliant, and ransomware-safe offerings for their MSP and reseller networks across Europe.

Loading form...

Distributors Face a Dual Threat: Ransomware and Unpredictable Costs

The channel is navigating a high-risk environment where threats are both technical and financial. In the UK, 95% of IT leaders report that cyber attacks are rising, with ransomware being a primary concern for their MSP partners. An attack on a single service provider, like the one affecting over 70 municipalities in Germany, demonstrates the supply chain's vulnerability.

Simultaneously, the economic model for cloud backup services is under pressure. Unplanned egress charges can constitute 10% to 15% of a total cloud bill, making profit margins dangerously unpredictable for MSPs. This forces distributors to find more stable solutions that protect both data and profitability.

A staggering 83% of organisations globally admit they would pay a ransom, highlighting a critical need for better defence mechanisms. These converging threats demand a new approach to data storage that is inherently secure and economically transparent, setting the stage for sovereign cloud solutions.

Build Resilient Offerings with Sovereign-by-Design Object Storage

To counter these risks, distributors can leverage EU-native object storage that is sovereign by design. This model ensures all data remains within European borders, operated exclusively from ISO 27001-certified data centers in countries like Germany and Austria. Such an approach directly mitigates risks associated with the US CLOUD Act, which can compel U.S.-based providers to surrender EU data.

This legal separation is a powerful differentiator for partners selling into regulated industries. A truly sovereign platform offers geofencing capabilities to lock data within specific EU countries, guaranteeing compliance with GDPR and other local mandates. For distributors, this simplifies the compliance conversation for the entire channel.

Key features of a sovereign storage solution include:

  • EU-Only Operations: All data and metadata are stored and processed exclusively in European data centers, managed by EU personnel.

  • CLOUD Act Exemption: As a European company, the provider is not subject to U.S. jurisdictional orders for data access.

  • GDPR Compliance by Default: The architecture is built from the ground up to meet stringent EU privacy and data protection standards.

  • Country-Level Geofencing: Partners can offer clients the assurance that their data will never leave a predefined national boundary.

Choosing an EU-based provider is a necessity for guaranteed data protection and sovereignty. By building services on this foundation, distributors empower their partners with a clear, defensible compliance story, preparing them for the next wave of security challenges.

Deploy Immutable Backups to Neutralize Ransomware Threats

The most effective technical defence against ransomware is making backups impossible to alter or delete. This is achieved with immutable storage using S3 Object Lock, a core feature of modern ransomware safe object storage solutions. A study found that organisations using S3 for backup reduced their recovery time by up to 50%.

Immutable backups ensure that even if attackers gain administrative access, they cannot encrypt or wipe the backup data for a predefined retention period. This transforms a potentially catastrophic event into a simple recovery operation. For MSPs, offering this capability is a critical value-add that directly answers a top customer concern.

Implementing immutable backups follows a clear, three-step process:

  1. Define Retention Policies: Set a time-based rule (e.g., 30 days) during which objects in a storage bucket cannot be modified or deleted.

  2. Activate Object Lock: Apply the policy to the bucket, ensuring all new data written by backup software is automatically protected.

  3. Ensure Recovery Readiness: Test restores regularly to confirm that the immutable copies are valid and can be used to recover operations with zero data loss.

This layered defence ensures that clients are not only protected but can also recover quickly. With immutable storage, the conversation shifts from ransom payment to rapid restoration, a powerful message for any distributor's channel partners.

Guarantee Partner Margins with a Zero Egress Fee Model

Profitability in the channel depends on predictability. Hyperscaler pricing, with its variable egress and API call fees, destroys this by creating surprise bills that can erase margins entirely. A recent survey showed 56% of IT professionals consider egress fees excessive.

A predictable pricing model with zero egress fees, no API charges, and no minimum storage durations changes the game for distributors and MSPs. This allows partners to build Backup-as-a-Service (BaaS) and Disaster-Recovery-as-a-Service (DRaaS) offerings with stable, defensible margins. This economic clarity is a key driver for switching providers.

For a company with a 10% operating margin, reducing cloud costs can increase it to 14.8%. This model has already gained traction with leading European distributors like api in Germany and Northamber plc in the UK, who leverage it to provide their reseller networks with a competitive edge. This transparent economic model is the foundation of a healthy and profitable channel partnership.

Ensure Seamless Adoption with 100% S3 API Compatibility

Technical friction is a major barrier to adopting new storage solutions. Full S3 API compatibility eliminates this challenge, as it has become the de-facto standard for object storage. This ensures that the ecosystem of backup tools, scripts, and applications that MSPs already use, including Veeam and NovaBackup, works out-of-the-box without any code rewrites.

Beyond basic compatibility, an enterprise-ready solution features an "Always-Hot" architecture. This means all data is immediately accessible without the delays or restore fees associated with tiered storage models. This simplifies operations, prevents API timeouts, and ensures predictable performance during urgent recovery scenarios, where businesses can reduce downtime by 80%.

The S3 API allows partners to leverage a robust and widely tested object storage access interface. This combination of full compatibility and a simplified, high-performance architecture allows distributors to offer a truly enterprise-ready solution that partners can deploy with confidence and minimal migration risk.

Exceed Compliance Mandates with NIS-2 and EU Data Act Readiness

The European regulatory landscape is tightening, creating new opportunities for compliant-by-design solutions. The NIS-2 Directive, with German implementation expected by early 2025, expands cybersecurity requirements to more sectors and holds management personally liable. A storage partner with certified operations helps meet these stringent risk management and supply-chain security obligations.

Furthermore, the EU Data Act, applicable from September 2025, mandates data portability and aims to eliminate vendor lock-in. Its rules require providers to facilitate seamless switching, a principle that aligns perfectly with an open, S3-compatible architecture and a zero-egress-fee model. This positions distributors and their partners to offer future-proof solutions.

The Data Act is designed to empower users with greater control and flexibility over their digital assets. By providing a platform that is already aligned with these upcoming regulations, distributors give their partners a competitive advantage, particularly when serving clients in critical or regulated industries. Talk to an expert to learn how to prepare your channel for 2025 and beyond.

Content



Kontinuierliche Verbesserung für nachhaltige Bewertungsqualität


FAQ

What is sovereign object storage?

Sovereign object storage is a cloud storage service that is owned, operated, and located exclusively within a specific legal jurisdiction, such as the European Union. It guarantees that all data, metadata, and operations are subject only to the laws of that region (e.g., GDPR) and are immune to foreign laws like the US CLOUD Act, providing the highest level of data control and compliance.



How does immutable storage protect against ransomware?

Immutable storage protects against ransomware by using S3 Object Lock to make backup files unchangeable for a set retention period. Once written, the data cannot be altered, encrypted, or deleted by anyone, including attackers who may have gained system access. This ensures a clean, uncorrupted copy of data is always available for recovery.



Are there any hidden costs with your storage model?

No, our pricing model is designed for complete transparency and predictability. We do not charge egress fees, API request fees, or have minimum storage durations. This allows distributors and their partners to build services with clear, stable margins without the risk of unexpected costs.



Is this storage solution compatible with my existing backup software?

Yes. Our platform offers full S3 API compatibility, making it a drop-in replacement for other S3-based storage. It integrates seamlessly with leading backup and data management tools like Veeam, NovaBackup, and many others, requiring no changes to your existing workflows.



How do you support your channel partners and distributors?

We provide dedicated support for our partners, including a multi-tenant management console, automation via API/CLI, and comprehensive reporting. We work closely with distributors like api (Germany) and Northamber plc (UK) to ensure fast onboarding and provide the tools needed to build profitable, secure cloud service offerings.



How does your solution align with new EU regulations like NIS-2?

Our solution is designed to meet and exceed upcoming EU regulations. By operating exclusively in certified EU data centers and providing robust security features like multi-layer encryption and immutable storage, we help organizations comply with the stringent risk management and supply-chain security requirements of the NIS-2 Directive.



Discover more articles now

Discover more articles now

Discover more articles now

Contact us!

I agree to be contacted in accordance with the Privacy Policy.

Contact us!

I agree to be contacted in accordance with the Privacy Policy.

Contact us!

I agree to be contacted in accordance with the Privacy Policy.

auctoa – Your partner for precise appraisals and certified reports. Property valuation and land valuation. With digital expertise, expert knowledge, artificial intelligence, personalised advice, and comprehensive market insights.

auctoa – Your partner for precise appraisals and certified reports. Property valuation and land valuation. With digital expertise, expert knowledge, artificial intelligence, personalised advice, and comprehensive market insights.

auctoa – Your partner for precise appraisals and certified reports. Property valuation and land valuation. With digital expertise, expert knowledge, artificial intelligence, personalised advice, and comprehensive market insights.