When loss isn’t an option and compliance regulations are breathing down your neck, archiving your data the right way is non-negotiable. That’s where Amazon S3, combined with the wizardry of N2W, comes in.
But don’t just shove your gigabytes in any old bucket and call it a day. The secret sauce is in crafting a purpose-built storage repository—backed by features that lock down your data tighter than Fort Knox.
Getting Started: The N2W Easy Button for S3 Storage Repositories
Navigate to “Storage Repositories” and click the New button. Select the “AWS Storage Repository” option, and you’re off to the races.
Here’s where you flex your organizational muscles:
- Name your repository—make it something memorable (skip the “backup123_final_FINAL_v2” please).
- Add a brief description (the future you will thank you).
- Assign the right user and select the appropriate AWS account. This is how you make sure your S3 buckets stay in the right virtual hands.
Now for the magic: you’ll see a dropdown listing all S3 buckets tied to your selected AWS account. Pick the bucket destined for greatness.
Immutability: The Shield Your Data Deserves
Let’s pause and talk about what really puts the “vault” in data vault—immutability. When you enable this feature, you’re basically sealing your backups in a time-locked safe. No cybercriminal, disgruntled admin, or fast-fingered intern can delete or tamper with your stored data.
There’s a quick but essential checklist before you go all-in:
- Your chosen S3 bucket must be created with Object Lock turned on.
- Versioning should be active—think of it as time travel for your files.
- Encryption is also a must, because as much as we love transparency, we don’t want it for our sensitive data.
If all these boxes are ticked, congratulations! You’re eligible for Immutable Backups.
Legal Hold vs. Compliance Lock (and how to choose)
N2W supports two flavors of immutability, and each has its own superpowers:
- Legal Hold: Think of this as “governance mode.” Admins with the right keys can still make changes—just in case you need a little wiggle room. It’s protective, but not inflexible.
- Compliance Lock: This is where things get hardcore. Once you set a backup with Compliance Lock, not even an admin can hit the delete key until the retention period ends. This is your ironclad defense against ransomware, rogue actors, and accidental slip-ups. It’s the ultimate sleep-aid for anyone worried about compliance or breaches.
While Legal Hold gives you control, Compliance Lock gives you certainty. Choose wisely based on your risk tolerance and regulatory appetite.
Your Next Steps Toward Untouchable Data
After setting these options, your AWS S3 storage repository is secure, scalable, and smarter than ever. So, the next time you hear about the latest data breach, take a sip of your coffee and smile. Your backups are immune, your data is safe, and with N2W plus Amazon S3.
Now go on—give yourself the peace of mind that only rock-solid, truly immutable backups can deliver. You (and your data) deserve nothing less.
