Ransomware Protection for Kubernetes Data in the Public Sector

Kubernetes is a powerful platform for deploying and managing containerized applications in the cloud. It offers many benefits such as scalability, portability, resilience and automation. However, Kubernetes also poses some challenges when it comes to data protection and security, especially in the public sector where sensitive data and compliance regulations are involved. That’s why we are excited to continue our strategic partnership with Carahsoft Technology Corp., the leading government IT solutions provider, to deliver Kasten K10 by Veeam, the market-leading Kubernetes data protection solution, to public sector customers across the U.S.

In this blog post, we will explore some of the common issues that public sector organizations face when using Kubernetes, and how Kasten K10 by Veeam can help them overcome these challenges with a simple, secure and scalable solution for Kubernetes data protection.

The challenges of Kubernetes Data Protection in the Public Sector

One of the main challenges of Kubernetes data protection in the public sector is the complexity and diversity of the Kubernetes environment. Kubernetes clusters can span multiple clouds, regions and zones, and contain hundreds or thousands of applications and microservices. Each application may have its own data sources, dependencies and configurations, which need to be backed up and restored consistently and reliably.

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Another challenge is the security and compliance of the Kubernetes data. Public sector organizations often deal with sensitive data such as personal information, health records, financial transactions or national security secrets. These data need to be protected from unauthorized access, modification or deletion, as well as from external threats such as ransomware attacks. Moreover, public sector organizations need to comply with various regulations and operate in secure environments, which requires cluster deployments in compliant hybrid environments spanning examples like AWS GovCloud and Red Hat OpenShift.

A third challenge is the scalability and performance of the Kubernetes data protection solution. As Kubernetes clusters grow in size and complexity, so does the amount of data that needs to be backed up and restored. Public sector organizations need a solution that can handle large volumes of data without compromising the availability or performance of the Kubernetes applications. They also need a solution that can scale up or down as needed, without requiring manual intervention or complex configuration changes.

The Solution: Kasten K10 by Veeam

Kasten K10 by Veeam is a purpose-built solution for Kubernetes data protection that addresses all these challenges and more. Kasten K10 is designed to simplify and automate the backup and recovery of Kubernetes applications and their data across any environment. It offers the following features and benefits for public sector organizations:

  • Application-centric approach: Kasten K10 treats each Kubernetes application as a unit of backup and recovery, rather than individual containers or volumes. This ensures that the application state and dependencies are preserved across backups and restores, regardless of where they are running or how they are configured.
  • Policy-driven automation: Kasten K10 allows public sector organizations to define backup policies based on application metadata such as labels, annotations, namespaces or clusters. These policies can specify the frequency, retention, location, encryption and compression of the backups, as well as any custom actions or hooks that need to be executed before or after the backup. Kasten K10 then automatically applies these policies to the matching applications, eliminating the need for manual backups or scripts.
  • Secure and compliant data protection: Kasten K10 encrypts all backup data at rest and in transit using AES-256 encryption keys that are stored in a secure key management system. Kasten K10 also supports role-based access control (RBAC) and audit logging to ensure that only authorized users can access or modify the backup data. Additionally, Kasten K10 provides ransomware protection by creating immutable backups that cannot be overwritten or deleted by malicious actors.
  • Scalable and performant architecture: Kasten K10 leverages a distributed architecture that scales with the Kubernetes cluster. It uses parallelism and deduplication to optimize the backup, restore performance and reduce the storage footprint. It also supports incremental backups and restores to minimize the network bandwidth and application downtime.
  • Application portability: Kasten K10 enables public sector organizations to ensure application portability across diverse Kubernetes environments by using Transform Sets. Transform Sets are a set of rules that can modify the application configuration during backup or restore, such as changing namespaces, labels, annotations, storage classes, or secrets. This allows public sector organizations to migrate their applications from one cluster to another, or from one cloud to another, without breaking their functionality or security.

Next Steps

We hope this blog post provided valuable insights into how Kasten K10 by Veeam can help you protect your Kubernetes data in the public sector. If you want to learn more, here are some next steps you can take:

Watch this video to see Kasten K10 in action and learn how it can simplify and automate your Kubernetes data protection workflows: https://youtu.be/gu3J6ZeWwK8

Try the full-featured and FREE edition of Kasten K10 today with this super-quick installation in less than 10 minutes: https://www.kasten.io/free-kubernetes

Don’t miss this opportunity to take your Kubernetes data protection to the next level with Kasten K10 by Veeam and Carahsoft. We look forward to hearing from you soon! Download our full Gorilla Guide to Securing Cloud Native Applications on Kubernetes.

Safeguarding Mission-Critical Data: Veeam’s Unwavering Commitment to Data Protection and Secure Products for Government Customers

Protecting customer data

In today’s digital landscape, data security is of utmost importance. At Veeam Software (Veeam), we recognize the significance of safeguarding our customers’ sensitive information. As part of our ongoing commitment to security, we are actively pursuing Common Criteria and Department of Defense Information Network Approved Product List (DoDIN APL) certifications. In addition, we are fully compliant with Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification v2 level 1 (awaiting validation) and engage in Independent Verification & Validation (IV&V). We have also successfully completed FIPS 140-2, SOC type 2 level 1, ISO 27001 certifications and are implementing the Secure Software Development Framework (SSDF) to fortify our security measures further. This update provides an in-depth understanding of these certifications and our dedication to maintaining the highest data protection standards.

Common Criteria certification and DoDIN APL

Common Criteria is an internationally recognized standard for evaluating the security of information technology products. It involves a comprehensive evaluation process, testing our software against rigorous security requirements. By pursuing Common Criteria certification, our goal is to provide our customers assurance that our products adhere to the highest security standards acknowledged by over 30 countries worldwide.

In parallel, we are also pursuing the DoDIN APL certification, which is specifically relevant for our customers operating within the Department of Defense (DoD) ecosystem. This certification ensures that our products meet the stringent security requirements set by the Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA), thereby enhancing the protection of data within the DoDIN framework.

CMMC v2 Compliance

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The Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) is an integral part of our commitment to ensuring the security of our customers’ data. CMMC v2 is the latest version of this unified standard designed to assess the cybersecurity posture of the defense industrial base (DIB). Compliance with CMMC v2 signifies that our security practices align with the stringent requirements defined by the Department of Defense (DoD). By adhering to these standards, we assure our customers within the defense sector that their data is safeguarded with the utmost care and resilience.

Independent Verification & Validation (IV&V)

To reinforce our security measures, we have engaged in Independent Verification & Validation (IV&V). This process involves a third-party organization conducting thorough testing and evaluation of our software. The independent nature of IV&V ensures an unbiased assessment of our security controls, offering an additional layer of confidence in our commitment to protecting valuable customer data.

FIPS 140-2, SOC type 2 level 1 and soon 2 and ISO 27001 certifications

Veeam has successfully completed several vital certifications that further fortify our security posture. FIPS 140-2 is a U.S. government standard that verifies the security requirements of cryptographic modules. This certification ensures that our encryption methods meet the highest standards and provide robust data protection.

SOC type 2 level 1 certification demonstrates our dedication to maintaining the security, availability, processing integrity, confidentiality and privacy of data. We are actively working towards achieving SOC type 2 level 2 certification, enabling us to demonstrate even greater control efficacy and maturity across our systems and processes.

Additionally, Veeam’s compliance with the ISO 27001 standard underscores our commitment to establishing and maintaining a comprehensive information security management system (ISMS). This certification validates that our security practices align with globally recognized best practices, ensuring customer data remains safe and secure.

Implementation of the Secure Software Development Framework (SSDF)

As part of our continuous improvement efforts, Veeam is in the process of implementing the Secure Software Development Framework (SSDF). This framework provides guidance on designing, developing and testing software to ensure adherence to specific security standards. The SSDF allows us to integrate robust security practices into our software development lifecycle, ensuring we proactively address security concerns at every stage of the development process and build products with security in mind from the ground up. By incorporating the SSDF into our development processes, we enhance the security of our software and reinforce our commitment to delivering robust and secure solutions.

At Veeam, our customer’s data security is our top priority. We are committed to maintaining the highest levels of protection for mission-critical data. Pursuing Common Criteria and DoDIN APL certifications, complying with CMMC v2, engaging in Independent Verification & Validation, completing FIPS 140-2, SOC type 2 level 1 and soon 2, ISO 27001 certifications and implementing the Secure Software Development Framework (SSDF) all demonstrate our unwavering dedication to data security.

By undergoing these certifications and implementing industry-leading security measures, we ensure that customer data remains secure, regardless of the sector. We will continue to evolve and improve our security practices to stay ahead of emerging threats and provide customers the peace of mind they deserve.

When customers choose Veeam and the Veeam Data Platform, they can rest assured they have selected a trusted partner committed to securing their data and the data of their customers, end-users and partners. We value the trust we have built with our government customers and will continue to deliver the highest level of data protection possible to ensure mission continuity.

Contact a member of our team today and learn more about how Veeam can support your mission-critical data initiatives.