Unstructured data continues to grow rapidly across enterprise storage environments, and NetApp ONTAP platforms are no exception. File shares, application data, and user content all add value to the business, but they also increase the attack surface for malware and ransomware.

As cyber threats become more sophisticated, it is no longer enough to focus solely on protecting production systems. Organisations must also ensure that the data they rely on for recovery is clean, trusted, and free from hidden threats.

That is why we are pleased to announce a new capability within Backup2Cloud NG, powered by HYCU HCE, that enhances cyber resilience for NetApp ONTAP environments.

Malware scanning for ONTAP file data, without disruption
Backup2Cloud NG now supports malware scanning for NetApp ONTAP file data using YARA rules, enabling organisations to detect hidden threats without impacting production systems or backup operations.

This approach allows security and infrastructure teams to gain deeper visibility into their data while maintaining the performance and availability their users expect.

Unlike traditional antivirus tools that rely on scanning data as it is accessed, this capability operates out of band, meaning it does not interfere with live workloads or introduce delays during backup windows.

Why unstructured data is a growing risk
Unstructured file data often contains information that is infrequently accessed but highly valuable, such as historical records, shared documents, and application outputs. These files can remain unchanged for long periods, making them an ideal place for malware to persist unnoticed.

In many cases, organisations only discover infected files during a recovery event, when time pressure is highest and options are limited. Restoring compromised data can reintroduce malware into the environment, undermining recovery efforts and increasing business risk.

By proactively scanning file data for known indicators of compromise, organisations can identify and address threats earlier, before they have the chance to spread or resurface during a restore.

What YARA‑based scanning delivers
YARA rules are widely used by security teams to identify malware based on known patterns and behaviours within files. Rather than relying solely on file metadata or access activity, YARA examines file contents to detect malicious indicators that may otherwise go unnoticed.

With Backup2Cloud NG, this capability is applied directly to NetApp ONTAP file data in a way that is operationally safe and efficient. There is no requirement to pause production systems, no impact on user access, and no disruption to backup schedules.

Key benefits for ONTAP environments
This enhancement enables organisations to:

✔ Scan ONTAP file data for hidden malware without touching production systems

✔ Maintain normal backup performance and operational processes

✔ Detect threats earlier in the attack lifecycle

✔ Reduce the risk of restoring infected data after an incident

✔ Improve confidence in recovery outcomes

The result is a more resilient data protection strategy that focuses not just on recoverability, but on recovering clean, trusted data.

A practical step forward in cyber resilience
Cyber resilience is not achieved through a single tool or technology. It requires a layered approach that combines reliable backups, secure storage, and intelligent threat detection.

By extending malware scanning into NetApp ONTAP file data, Backup2Cloud NG helps bridge the gap between backup and security, giving organisations greater assurance that their recovery data can be trusted when it matters most.

If you would like to learn more about how Backup2Cloud NG can strengthen cyber resilience across your NetApp environment, please get in touch with the Assurestor team.