Veritas Backup Exec 22.2: A Game Changer for SMB Data Protection

Veritas Backup Exec 22.2 is turning heads in the world of data protection for SMBs, and for good reason. In an era where every byte of data is gold, businesses need backup solutions that not only secure their digital assets but do so with speed, flexibility, and robust security measures. A recent hands-on review by TechRadar puts this backup solution under the microscope and sheds light on how it fuses enterprise-grade features with SMB-friendly simplicity.

A Legacy Refined: What Makes Backup Exec 22.2 Stand Out​

Veritas Backup Exec has long been a favorite for on-premises data protection, and version 22.2 continues this tradition while introducing a host of enhancements. Here’s what makes the latest iteration a compelling choice:

• A comprehensive suite of backup and recovery services designed to cover all data protection angles.
• A simple and transparent licensing model based on compute instances, making it easier for small and medium-sized businesses to forecast costs.
• An impressive array of support for both physical and virtual environments—a nod to the reality that today’s infrastructures are a blend of legacy systems and modern virtualized environments.
• Enhanced integration with cloud services, particularly Microsoft 365, expanding the backup scope to include SharePoint, Teams, Exchange Online, and OneDrive.

By merging enterprise-level features with an SMB-friendly subscription model, Backup Exec 22.2 offers an enticing balance of performance, security, and affordability.

Unpacking the New Features: What’s Hot in BE 22.2​

The upgrade to Backup Exec 22.2 brings significant enhancements that address current trends in data management, cybersecurity, and cloud integration. Some key features flagged by TechRadar include:

Expanded Microsoft 365 Backups​

Traditionally, businesses have relied on dedicated on-premises platforms for tasks like email and file sharing. The new BE version now effortlessly secures data not only from Exchange Online and OneDrive but also from SharePoint and Teams. This expanded coverage means that companies can consolidate their Microsoft 365 backups under one reliable umbrella, reducing the complexity of managing multiple backup solutions.

Cloud-Enhanced Security with Azure Object Lock​

As ransomware threats continue to evolve, immutable cloud storage is more critical than ever. Backup Exec 22.2 now supports Microsoft Azure Object Lock, a feature that turns cloud storage into a tamper-proof vault. By providing ransomware-protected immutable storage, businesses can rest easy knowing that their backup data remains untouched even if cybercriminals breach other parts of the network.

Accelerated Backups to ReFS Volumes​

Performance is paramount in any backup solution. BE 22.2 leverages accelerated backups to ReFS (Resilient File System) volumes, which is particularly beneficial for environments that require high-speed data transfers with minimal downtime. This acceleration means that even large backups can be completed more efficiently, an essential factor for businesses with limited maintenance windows.

Enhanced Data Integrity and Security Measures​

The upgrade doesn’t stop at speed. With anomaly detection in place, BE 22.2 actively protects backup scripts from tampering—a critical feature in today’s threat landscape where sophisticated attacks target backup infrastructures. Additionally, the solution now employs the FIPS-compliant deduplication engine from Veritas’ own enterprise NetBackup product, ensuring that data is both efficiently stored and rigorously secured.

Simplified Licensing and Compute Instance Model​

Perhaps one of the most refreshing changes is the simplified yearly subscription model. License costs are now based solely on compute instances, which can be a physical system, virtual machine, or a bundle of MS365 users. For example, the starter five-instance Simple Core Pack is priced at an agreeable £489 per year and even includes a bonus instance for additional Microsoft 365 users. This transparency in pricing makes it easier for SMBs to budget without compromising on functionality.

Deployment and Integration: Plug-and-Play for Your Environment​

One of the standout aspects of Backup Exec 22.2 is its deployment ease—a critical criterion for many SMBs operating on tight schedules and lean IT teams.

Quick Setup with Minimal Fuss​

• The review detailed the installation on a Dell PowerEdge R760xs running Windows Server 2022, which was up and running in just 20 minutes.
• Veritas streamlined the process by allowing for the rapid declaration of physical servers via their IP addresses, with remote agents being automatically deployed.
• For Hyper-V virtual environments, merely loading the agent on the host was enough to secure all virtual machines.
• Adding a VMware vSphere host was equally straightforward, requiring just the host’s IP address and credentials.

This level of simplicity means that even organizations with limited technical expertise can get their backup system operational without the usual headaches associated with more complex enterprise solutions.

Integration with Microsoft 365​

The modern workplace often relies heavily on cloud-based platforms, notably Microsoft 365. Backup Exec 22.2 recognizes this shift and integrates deeply:

• Users add their Microsoft 365 tenant through a guided process, involving a unique device code generated by BE.
• This integration covers all four major Microsoft 365 components, ensuring that no vital data is left unprotected.
• Practically, you can secure Exchange, OneDrive, SharePoint, and Teams data seamlessly, which is a boon for organizations that heavily lean on Microsoft’s ecosystem.

Crafting Backup Jobs: Intuitive Interfaces and Flexible Strategies​

Veritas understands that the backup process should be as painless as possible. The job creation feature in BE 22.2 is designed with the end-user in mind:

A Marketplace of Predefined Strategies​

• The backup wizard presents a list of predefined strategies, making it easy to set up a task without diving deep into technical configuration.
• Users can select various storage options, including disk, cloud, tape, deduplicating stores, or network shares.
• You have the flexibility to add layered stages such as local backup, offsite replication, migration to tape drives for an air gap, or even conversion to virtual machines. This modular approach ensures that your backup strategy can evolve as your business grows.

Emphasis on Encryption and Data Security During Backup​

• Even though Backup Exec offers extensive options, the job wizard consistently advises enabling encryption.
• You can choose between 128-bit and 256-bit AES encryption, ensuring liberal options for data protection.
• An important nuance is that if you only allow the original creator of an encryption key to recover data, unauthorized access is virtually eliminated.

Real-World Implications and Specific Use Cases​

Consider this scenario: A small business experiences a ransomware attack that encrypts most of its critical files. With BE 22.2’s immutable cloud storage and built-in anomaly detection, the organization can restore its data with minimal disruption, thereby containing the fallout from the attack. Such features position Backup Exec 22.2 not only as a backup solution but also as an integral part of a robust cybersecurity strategy.

Data Restoration: Fast, Reliable, and Flexible​

When disaster strikes, the speed and reliability of your recovery process can make all the difference. Backup Exec 22.2 excels in this regard, with several innovative recovery features:

Instant Granular Recovery Technology (GRT)​

• Instant GRT allows for the restoration of specific items such as SQL databases without needing to restore an entire set of data—a feature that can be a lifesaver in emergency situations.
• The recovery process is as simple as selecting a source, viewing its files and folders, picking a recovery point, and choosing a destination for the restored data.

Bare-Metal Recovery Capabilities​

• Creating a simplified recovery disk is straightforward. This feature facilitates bare-metal recovery, ensuring that even if a physical server suffers catastrophic failure, it can be restored quickly.
• The Instant VM Recovery feature is equally impressive—it can spin up a virtual machine from a backup set in seconds, minimizing downtime and maintaining business continuity.

Best Practices for MS365 Restorations​

• MS365 backups require a deduplicating store. TechRadar suggests best practice is to apply encryption at the store level rather than the job level to maintain data reduction efficiency. This subtle move can significantly optimize storage and recovery operations in the Microsoft 365 environment.

Performance and Security: A Dual-Edged Sword​

Veritas has put considerable effort into ensuring that Backup Exec 22.2 doesn’t just look good on paper but performs robustly in real-world applications:

Accelerated Backup Performance​

• Leveraging the power of modern file systems like ReFS, backups that once took hours can now be completed swiftly, making routine maintenance and periodic application of Microsoft security patches, for instance, far less disruptive.
• The acceleration features come into play during high-demand operations such as full backups or large enterprise-level datasets, keeping performance degradation to an absolute minimum.

Anomaly Detection to Thwart Tampering​

• With threats constantly evolving, Backup Exec employs anomaly detection on backup scripts. This protects the integrity of your backup routine, ensuring that even if malicious actors attempt to tamper with your backup process, your safeguards remain intact.

FIPS-Compliant Deduplication Engine​

• The introduction of the FIPS-compliant deduplication engine, borrowed from Veritas’ enterprise NetBackup, ensures that data is stored efficiently without compromising security compliance. This is particularly important in regulated industries where compliance with standards is non-negotiable.

Licensing, Pricing, and the Value Proposition​

For an SMB, cost is always a crucial factor. Veritas has addressed this by streamlining the licensing to a simple, yearly subscription model:

Transparent, Compute Instance-Based Pricing​

• The subscription model is based on compute instances, meaning you only pay for what you use.
• The starter package is priced competitively and comes with a bonus instance for additional Microsoft 365 users, enhancing value and making it easier for growing businesses to scale their backup needs.

Predictable Costs for Steady Budgeting​

• With an annual fee that covers multiple environments—physical, virtual, and cloud-based—the pricing model removes much of the complexity and unpredictability typical of enterprise backup solutions.
• This stability is a welcome relief for SMB owners who prefer steady, predictable IT expenses that don't break the bank.

Real-World Scenarios: Putting Backup Exec 22.2 to the Test​

In many ways, Backup Exec 22.2 is like the Swiss Army knife for data protection—it’s versatile, reliable, and packs a variety of functions into one tidy package. Imagine a scenario where a company’s vital data is under threat due to a sophisticated malware outbreak. With BE 22.2’s rapid deployment and intuitive recovery options, the IT team can quickly isolate affected systems, initiate restorations using Instant GRT, and bring critical applications back online before chaos truly sets in.
Similarly, in environments where data is frequently updated and storage requirements balloon rapidly, the accelerated backups to ReFS volumes and deduplication capabilities ensure that the backup process doesn’t become a bottleneck—even when scheduled during off-peak hours.
For IT teams managing a mix of physical servers, Hyper-V virtual machines, and VMware vSphere hosts, the streamlined integration means less time troubleshooting mixed environments and more time focusing on proactive measures. And in today’s hybrid cloud era, having a solution that seamlessly combines local, cloud, and tape storage isn’t just advantageous—it’s essential.

The Bigger Picture: Data Protection in the Modern IT Landscape​

Backup Exec 22.2 reflects broader trends in IT, where convergence between on-premises reliability and cloud agility is clear:

• With Microsoft 365 and other cloud platforms becoming central to daily operations, the need for integrated and secure backup solutions has never been greater.
• In a digital landscape fraught with evolving threats—from ransomware to sophisticated phishing attacks—security isn’t just about prevention but also about swift, reliable recovery.
• As businesses increasingly rely on hybrid infrastructures, solutions like Backup Exec 22.2 demonstrate that powerful, enterprise-grade backup functionality can be accessible even to modestly sized businesses.

By aligning itself with current cybersecurity advisories and incorporating features that support rapid recovery, Backup Exec 22.2 is not merely responding to today’s challenges—it’s anticipating tomorrow’s disruptions.

Key Takeaways​

• Veritas Backup Exec 22.2 delivers a suite of enhancements that make it an attractive choice for SMBs seeking robust data protection without the enterprise-level cost.
• The expansion of Microsoft 365 backup support, alongside features such as Azure Object Lock and accelerated ReFS backups, positions the solution as future-proof in a rapidly evolving digital ecosystem.
• Simplified deployment and intuitive backup job creation reduce setup headaches, allowing even less-experienced IT teams to leverage full-featured data protection.
• Comprehensive restoration options, including Instant GRT and bare-metal recovery, ensure that when disaster strikes, the recovery process is smooth and rapid.
• The straightforward compute instance-based licensing model ensures predictable costs—a key consideration for SMBs balancing performance with budget constraints.

In today’s competitive and threat-laden environment, a backup solution that combines speed, security, and simplicity is not just a luxury—it’s a necessity. Veritas Backup Exec 22.2 hits the mark by addressing both the technical and financial needs of SMBs, empowering them to overcome modern data protection challenges head-on. Whether you’re safeguarding critical business applications on Windows Server 2022 or ensuring seamless Microsoft 365 operations, BE 22.2 proves that powerful, reliable data protection is within every organization’s reach.
By embracing these innovative features and a user-centric design, Veritas has demonstrated that even in an era of constant change, some legacies can evolve to not only survive but thrive in today’s dynamic IT environment. For SMBs looking to secure their digital lifeblood, Backup Exec 22.2 might just be the tool that turns an everyday challenge into a competitive advantage.

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Source: TechRadar Hands on: I tried the Veritas Backup Exec 22.2 - see what this backup solution for SMBs is really like