Dell unveils PowerProtect updates for stronger cyber resilience
Dell Technologies has unveiled the latest updates to its PowerProtect portfolio, with a focus on data protection and cyber resilience for organisations managing rising data volumes and increasing cyber threats.
The company has introduced the PowerProtect Data Domain All-Flash appliance, which it says delivers notable gains in performance, including up to four times faster data restores and twice the replication performance when compared with previous models. Alongside the new hardware, Dell has announced enhancements to its PowerProtect Data Manager, Cyber Recovery, and Backup Services, expanding features and support across platforms.
Data protection challenges
Dell highlights the increased pressure organisations face as they deal with heightened cyber risks. According to the company's figures, "88% of organisations expect GenAI to explode data volumes, yet 65% of these same organisations backup less than 50% of their data." Dell states that business leaders are now required to prioritise cyber resilience to ensure operational continuity and maintain customer trust.
"Security is no longer a back-office concern; it's a strategic enabler. Without it, innovation stalls, and businesses are left vulnerable to the growing tide of cyber risks. To thrive, organisations need more than traditional cybersecurity measures - they need a comprehensive approach to cyber resilience. Dell Technologies is at the forefront of this effort, empowering businesses to minimise risk, ensure continuity and move forward with confidence. The latest advancements in the PowerProtect portfolio, including availability of the Data Domain All-Flash appliance and updates to cyber resilience software, exemplify this commitment."
Description of new appliance
The PowerProtect Data Domain All-Flash appliance, built upon Dell's established Data Domain architecture, is positioned as a high-performance solution, with Dell citing up to four times faster restores and double the replication speed compared to previous appliances. The company reports that the new model offers up to 2.8 times faster analytics for validating data integrity when used with PowerProtect Cyber Recovery vault, and occupies 40% less rack space with up to 80% power savings, according to internal testing.
Security features in the All-Flash appliance include data immutability, encryption, and hardware root of trust. Dell also notes its compatibility with PowerStore and PowerMax storage solutions, plus integration with a wide range of backup software through its DD Boost ecosystem.
Enhancements to PowerProtect software
Beyond the new appliance, Dell has updated its PowerProtect Data Manager with ecosystem, security, and virtualisation enhancements. The software now supports additional deployment options, including Red Hat Enterprise Linux and SUSE for Dell PowerMax deployments, along with expanded archive to object capabilities supporting Wasabi with Dell ObjectScale.
PowerProtect Cyber Recovery is now compatible with the Data Domain All-Flash appliance and incorporates CyberSense Analytics, enabling support for Commvault client-direct Oracle database backups. This enhancement aims to address challenges in ransomware recovery and operational efficiency.
The PowerProtect Backup Services platform has also been expanded. Organisations can now utilise Microsoft Azure Storage as a backup target, in addition to the previously supported AWS. The service supports backup and granular item-level recovery for Microsoft Dynamics 365, allowing restoration both to production sites and sandbox environments. This is alongside its existing protection for Microsoft 365, Azure VMs, and Entra ID.
Operational focus
Dell states its cyber resilience strategy focuses on three pillars: reducing attack surfaces, detecting threats, and enabling rapid recovery. Its PowerProtect portfolio is deployed in both on-premises and multicloud environments, with over 15,000 customers worldwide.
"The Dell PowerProtect portfolio sets the standard with Data Domain purpose-built backup appliances, delivering robust cyber resilience and management both on-premises and across multicloud environments. Trusted by over 15,000 customers worldwide, Data Domain safeguards the most vital assets with unmatched reliability. With a focus on continuous innovation, Dell ensures its solutions stay ahead of evolving threats, providing resilience and peace of mind."
Broader context
Dell maintains that developing cyber resilience is essential not just as a defensive measure, but as a foundation for continued innovation and business progress. The new releases in PowerProtect and the expansion of software capabilities are presented by Dell as evidence of its ongoing focus on supporting organisations as they navigate complex data protection and security environments.
"Cyber resilience is more than a defensive strategy - it's a catalyst for innovation. By safeguarding critical data and ensuring business continuity, organisations can focus on what matters most: driving progress and delivering value. The Dell PowerProtect portfolio offers the comprehensive protection businesses need to thrive in an unpredictable world."
