Why I Transitioned from Veeam to Acronis

Why I Transitioned from Veeam to Acronis

by | Jan 17, 2025 | Backup&Recovery, Cyber Protection, Uncategorized



Table of Contents

Why I Transitioned from Veeam to Acronis: A Guide for Organizations Considering a Change

Over the years, Veeam has been a go-to solution for many organizations looking to back up and protect their virtual environments. However, recent changes in Veeam’s licensing models and escalating costs have led me to reconsider my backup strategy. In this article, I will share my experience transitioning from Veeam to Acronis Cyber Protect Advanced, and provide a detailed comparison to help others who may be in a similar situation.

The Changing Landscape of Veeam Licensing

When we initially purchased Veeam Backup Essentials in 2017, the pricing and flexibility were attractive. At that time:

  • We paid 4,814.84 EUR for a 5-year license, covering 2 hosts, each with 2 CPU sockets and 18 cores per CPU.
  • The socket-based licensing allowed us to back up an unlimited number of virtual machines (VMs) without additional costs, making it highly scalable.

Fast forward five years, and Veeam’s licensing structure had shifted to an instance-based model, where licenses are tied to the number of VMs or workloads being protected. For example:

  • Extending our environment to cover 50 VMs for one year was quoted at 6,750 EUR.
  • With a temporary 58% discount, the cost dropped to 2,835 EUR per year, but this still resulted in a 14,175 EUR cost over 5 years, nearly three times the price of the old model.

For enterprises using Veeam Enterprise, costs can be even higher. This shift made us question whether the value matched the investment, especially as adding more VMs would significantly increase costs.

Why Acronis Became the Logical Choice

After researching alternatives, we decided to switch to Acronis Cyber Protect Advanced. Here’s why Acronis emerged as the clear winner for our needs:

1. Cost Efficiency

  • Acronis licenses are host-based, allowing us to protect all VMs on a given host without worrying about additional per-VM costs.
  • For our 2 hosts, each with unlimited VMs, a 5-year license cost 4,100 EUR (2,050 EUR per host), offering substantial savings compared to Veeam’s instance-based pricing.

2. Comprehensive Functionality

  • Acronis provides almost all the features Veeam offers, including:
    • Reliable backups and restores for virtual environments.
    • Disaster recovery capabilities.
    • Advanced monitoring and reporting.
  • Additionally, Acronis offers built-in Cyber Protection, which includes features like:
    • Complete backup and recovery: Full-image and file-level backup and recovery for more than 20 platforms, restoring data to physical, virtual, or cloud environments.
    • Advanced cybersecurity: AI-based detection blocks malware, ransomware, and zero-day attacks while vulnerability assessments monitor for potential threats.
    • Proactive endpoint management: Fully managed cybersecurity services that secure your data and systems.

3. Scalability Without Cost Penalty

  • Unlike Veeam’s instance-based model, Acronis’ host-based licensing means we can freely add VMs without incurring extra costs, making it ideal for growing environments.

4. Ease of Transition

  • Acronis offers a user-friendly interface and seamless migration tools, making the transition from Veeam straightforward.

*Feature Comparison: Veeam vs. Acronis

FeatureVeeam (Instance-Based)Acronis Cyber Protect
Licensing ModelPer VM/InstancePer Host
Cost (5 years, 2 hosts, 50 VMs)~14,175 EUR (with discount)4,100 EUR
Unlimited VMs per HostNoYes
Cybersecurity FeaturesAdd-on (limited)Included
Disaster RecoveryYesYes
Proactive Endpoint ManagementNoYes
Vulnerability AssessmentsNoYes
Scalability CostsHighNone

*Disclaimer: All prices mentioned in this article are based on estimates and quotes from 2022-2023. Pricing may vary based on the vendor or region and should be confirmed with the respective manufacturer. Additionally, for the most accurate and up-to-date list of features, please refer to the manufacturer’s official website.
https://www.acronis.com/en-eu/resource-center/resource/acronis-cyber-protect-editions-comparison-including-cloud-deployment/

Additional Features of Acronis

  • Fully managed backup, recovery, and cybersecurity services: Protect critical endpoints and systems with a comprehensive solution that secures your business and data.
  • Management: Receive remote assistance, continuous monitoring of endpoints, systems, and data, along with up-to-date reporting.
  • Disaster recovery (DR): Ensure business resilience in the event of a cybersecurity incident, natural disaster, or IT disruption.
  • Backup and recovery: Minimize data loss with advanced backup and recovery to local and cloud storage, including AES-256 encryption for stored and in-transit data.
  • Vulnerability assessments: Identify and close security gaps by scanning machines for vulnerabilities, ensuring systems are up to date and secure.
  • File sync and share: Increase productivity by securely sharing corporate content from any device, anywhere, at any time.

Considerations for Switching to Acronis

While Acronis offers compelling advantages, there are a few points to keep in mind:

  • If you have heavily customized Veeam workflows, migrating to a new platform may require some effort to replicate these.
  • Acronis’ backup solutions are comprehensive, but it is still essential to evaluate whether specific advanced features of Veeam (e.g., certain granular recovery options) are critical to your organization.

Conclusion

For organizations like mine, where cost-efficiency and scalability are crucial, Acronis Cyber Protect Advanced has proven to be a superior choice. It not only matches Veeam in terms of core backup and recovery capabilities but also adds value with integrated cybersecurity features—all at a fraction of the cost.

If you are evaluating your backup solutions and feel that Veeam’s instance-based pricing is limiting your growth or stretching your budget, I encourage you to explore Acronis. The savings, combined with robust functionality, make it an excellent alternative for businesses looking to optimize their IT investments.

Watchguard SPAM Protection for Microsoft Office 365

Watchguard SPAM Protection for Microsoft Office 365

by | Aug 4, 2024 | Cyber Protection, Firewall



Table of Contents

Effective SPAM Protection for Office 365 with WatchGuard M-Serie: A Comprehensive Guide

Understanding the Challenge of SPAM in Office 365

As businesses continue to migrate to cloud-based solutions, Office 365 remains a popular choice for its robust suite of tools. However, this popularity also attracts cybercriminals, making SPAM and phishing attacks a significant concern. SPAM not only clutters inboxes but also poses severe security risks, including data breaches and malware infections.

The native SPAM filtering capabilities of Office 365, though substantial, may not be sufficient for all organizations. This is where additional SPAM protection solutions come into play, ensuring enhanced security and peace of mind. However, many third-party SPAM solutions can be costly and complex to manage.

Cost Analysis of SPAM Protection Solutions

Many organizations invest heavily in third-party anti-SPAM products to bolster their Office 365 security. These solutions, while effective, can be expensive. Popular options include:

Barracuda Essentials: A comprehensive solution that includes advanced threat protection, encryption, and archiving. However, it comes with a significant price tag, often ranging from $2 to $5 per user per month.

    • Cost for 25 Users per Month: $50 to $125
    • Cost for 50 Users per Month: $100 to $250
    • 10-Year Cost for 25 Users: $6,000 to $15,000
    • 10-Year Cost for 50 Users: $12,000 to $30,000

Mimecast: Known for its robust SPAM filtering and email continuity features, Mimecast can cost around $3 to $8 per user per month.

    • Cost for 25 Users per Month: $75 to $200
    • Cost for 50 Users per Month: $150 to $400
    • 10-Year Cost for 25 Users: $9,000 to $24,000
    • 10-Year Cost for 50 Users: $18,000 to $48,000

Proofpoint Essentials: Offers advanced SPAM filtering and targeted attack protection, with costs typically around $4 to $10 per user per month.

    • Cost for 25 Users per Month: $100 to $250
    • Cost for 50 Users per Month: $200 to $500
    • 10-Year Cost for 25 Users: $12,000 to $30,000
    • 10-Year Cost for 50 Users: $24,000 to $60,000

Microsoft Exchange Online Protection

    • Cost per User per Month: Approximately $1
    • Cost for 25 Users per Month: $25
    • Cost for 50 Users per Month: $50
    • 10-Year Cost for 25 Users: $3,000
    • 10-Year Cost for 50 Users: $6,000

WatchGuard M270 or M290 Appliance

    • One-Time Cost: $10,000 to $12,000
    • 10-Year Cost: $10,000 to $12,000

For organizations already utilizing WatchGuard appliances, such as the M290, M390, or M690, there’s an opportunity to leverage existing infrastructure for enhanced SPAM protection. This approach not only saves money but also simplifies management and improves efficiency.

*The prices mentioned are estimated and may not reflect the current market prices.

Leveraging WatchGuard Appliances for SPAM Protection

By using a WatchGuard appliance like the M270, you can effectively filter SPAM and malware before emails reach your Office 365 environment. Here’s a step-by-step guide to setting up this configuration.

Step-by-Step Guide to Setting Up Spam Protection for Office 365 Using WatchGuard M-Serie

1: Activate the SMTP Proxy on WatchGuard

Step 1: Access the WatchGuard Web UI and navigate to Firewall > Proxy > SMTP Proxy. 

Step 2: Enable the SMTP Proxy and configure the following settings:

  • Inbound Traffic: Set to allow incoming emails.
  • Outbound Traffic: Configure to monitor outgoing emails for potential SPAM.

Step 3: Follow the WatchGuard guide to configure the SMTP Proxy for your environment: WatchGuard SMTP Proxy Guide.

 

2: Configure MX Records

Step 1: Primary MX Record: Point this to your public IP address to ensure emails are routed through the WatchGuard firewall first (priority 0).

Step 2: Secondary MX Record: Set Office 365 as the secondary MX entry with a lower priority (e.g., priority 10).

You can ignore this warning:

The record we detected doesn’t have the right priority value. We queried these nameservers for the records: ns.dns.org, ns.dns.net

We didn’t detect that you added new records to yourdns.com. Make sure the records you created at your host exactly match the records shown here. If they do, please wait for our system to detect the changes. This usually takes around 10 minutes, although some DNS hosting providers require up to 48 hours.

3. Configuring Virus and SPAM Filtering on WatchGuard

Step 1: In the WatchGuard Web UI, go to Subscription Services > Gateway AntiVirus.

Step 2: Enable virus scanning for incoming emails. Configure the settings to automatically delete emails containing viruses or malware.

Step 3: Navigate to SpamBlocker settings. Enable SPAM filtering and configure it to tag suspected SPAM emails by adding “SPAM” to the subject line.

 

4. Setting Up Additional Filtering in Exchange Online

Step 1: Log in to the Office 365 admin center and navigate to Exchange Admin Center > Mail Flow > Rules.

Step 2: Create a new rule to move emails with “SPAM” in the subject line to the quarantine folder. This ensures that tagged SPAM emails are isolated for further review.

Example Rule Configuration:

  • Condition: Subject includes “SPAM”
  • Action: Move the message to the quarantine

5. Regular Maintenance and Adjustments

Regularly review and adjust the filtering rules on both the WatchGuard appliance and Exchange Online to minimize false positives and ensure legitimate emails are not incorrectly marked as SPAM.

Additional Features of WatchGuard Appliances

WatchGuard appliances offer a range of additional security features that enhance your organization’s overall security posture:

  • Advanced Threat Detection: WatchGuard’s Threat Detection and Response (TDR) integrates with the appliance to detect and respond to advanced threats in real-time.
  • Application Control: Manage and control the applications used within your network, enhancing security and productivity.
  • Secure Remote Access: WatchGuard’s VPN solutions provide secure remote access for your workforce, ensuring data security even when accessing resources remotely.
  • Content Filtering: Block inappropriate or harmful content to protect users and maintain productivity.
  • Intrusion Prevention: Detect and prevent network intrusions with WatchGuard’s Intrusion Prevention Service (IPS).

These features make WatchGuard appliances a comprehensive security solution, providing more than just SPAM protection.

Benefits of Using WatchGuard for SPAM Protection

  • Cost Savings: Utilizing an existing WatchGuard appliance eliminates the need for additional third-party SPAM solutions, saving significant costs.
  • Simplified Management: Centralized management through the WatchGuard interface streamlines the configuration and maintenance of SPAM protection.
  • Enhanced Security: Filtering emails before they reach Office 365 adds an extra layer of security, reducing the risk of SPAM and malware infections.
  • Additional Security Features: Benefit from advanced threat detection, application control, secure remote access, and more, enhancing your organization’s overall security.

By following this guide, you can leverage your WatchGuard M270 (or other models) to provide robust SPAM protection for your Office 365 environment, ensuring a secure and efficient email experience.

Conclusion

SPAM protection is critical for maintaining the security and efficiency of your Office 365 environment. By leveraging WatchGuard appliances, you can achieve comprehensive SPAM filtering while reducing costs and simplifying management. Follow the detailed configuration steps to set up an effective SPAM protection system and safeguard your organization from the risks associated with unsolicited emails.

In addition to SPAM protection, WatchGuard appliances offer a range of advanced security features, making them a comprehensive solution for your organization’s security needs. Invest in WatchGuard to ensure robust protection and peace of mind for your Office 365 environment.