Veeam Data Platform v12.3 Unveiled
Veeam Software has announced the release of the Veeam Data Platform v12.3, introducing a range of new features designed to bolster data protection and security. The latest update includes enhancements to identity protection, threat analysis, and data portability, aiming to provide comprehensive data management solutions for enterprises.
A key highlight of v12.3 is its support for backing up Microsoft Entra ID, addressing the growing threat of identity-based attacks. “The ability to protect both Active Directory and Entra ID is critical, because identity-based attacks are massively on the rise. Hackers are choosing to log in as opposed to hacking in whenever possible,” explained Krista Case, research director at The Futurum Group.
Enhanced Threat Analysis and Protection
Veeam Data Platform v12.3 also introduces new tools for proactive threat analysis. These include Recon Scanner and Veeam Threat Hunter, which utilize generative AI to enhance data protection and provide more intelligent reporting through Veeam Intelligence.
Recon Scanner offers proactive threat assessment, identifying adversary tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs) before a cyberattack can occur. This technology is derived from the patent-pending Coveware technology, which has been used to counter thousands of ransomware incidents, acquired by Veeam earlier this year.
Veeam Threat Hunter provides accelerated signature-based malware scanning, allowing organizations to detect dormant threats within their backups. The tool employs machine learning and heuristic analysis to identify advanced threats, such as polymorphic malware, with updated threat signatures and ML models to detect newly developing threats.
Another new feature is the IoC Tools Scanner, designed to notify organizations of indicators of compromise (IoC) tools frequently used by cybercriminals. This includes identifying techniques such as lateral movement, exfiltration, command and control, and credential access on protected machines. The tool promises to significantly reduce the Mean Time to Detect (MTTD) for threats.
Expanded Data Portability & Cloud Integration
Veeam Data Platform v12.3 expands data portability by providing comprehensive protection for Nutanix AHV, with application-aware processing, in-depth alerting, and analytics for Nutanix AHV workloads.The update is fully integrated with Veeam Data Cloud Vault v2, offering instant access to secure, air-gapped, encrypted, and immutable cloud storage.
“Security starts with identity and authentication, which is why providing backup for Microsoft Entra ID is an important addition to Veeam Data Platform v12.3. We can now protect the most used identity and access management system, and combine it with new proactive threat analysis tools that better prepare enterprises for cyber threats,” stated Anand Eswaran, CEO at Veeam.
Market Position
While Veeam has a significant market presence—reportedly valued at $15 billion after recent investment—this week’s completion of the Cohesity/Veritas merger may potentially impact Veeam’s market share leadership.
