Offline, not off guard: How HPE can help keep SMBs better protected from cyber threats

By Ricardo Hoyos | April 7, 2026 |

"In 2024, a 158-year-old UK logistics company, Knights of Old, was forced to shut its doors after a ransomware attack crippled its operations. It’s a heartbreaking reminder that no business – no matter its size or legacy – is immune to cyber threats".

For small and midsized businesses (SMBs), the growing sophistication of ransomware means it’s not enough to simply defend against attacks. You also need to plan for recovery. And that’s where a robust tape storage strategy can make all the difference.

Cyber resilience starts with smart backup practices.

Cybersecurity experts often reference the 3-2-1-1 rule for data protection:

Keep 3 copies of your data

On 2 different types of media

With 1 copy stored off-site

And 1 copy kept offline (completely disconnected from the network)

That final “1” is where HPE Storage Tape shines. By physically removing data from the network, SMBs can create an air gap – a layer of protection that stops ransomware in its tracks.

Why air-gapped protection matters

When a cyberattack hits, even the best firewalls and endpoint protection could be bypassed. But offline backups that are stored on tape can’t be encrypted, deleted, or corrupted remotely.

HPE Tape Storage provides this air-gapped security with the added benefit of:

Offline resilience: Once data is written to tape and stored offline, it’s safe from ransomware and other malware.

Off-site security: Tapes can be stored in a different physical location to protect against natural disasters or physical theft.

Energy efficiency: Offline media consumes virtually no power, cutting costs while improving sustainability.

Built-in security that goes beyond backup

HPE’s LTO Ultrium tape drives include AES 256-bit hardware encryption, protecting sensitive data even if a cartridge is lost or stolen during transport. The encryption happens directly on the drive, ensuring there’s no performance hit on your servers.

Additionally, Write Once, Read Many (WORM) functionality allows SMBs to create immutable data copies – records that cannot be altered or deleted. This is especially valuable for businesses that must meet compliance regulations like GDPR, HIPAA, or financial retention mandates.

Robust tape for modern SMBs

Forget what you think you know about tape. Today’s systems are automated, intelligent, and designed for simplicity.

For example, the HPE MSL2024 Tape Library – part of HPE’s SmartChoice portfolio – offers:

Hands-off automation for routine backups

Remote management through HPE Command View for Tape Libraries

Scalable capacity with multiple LTO generations

Support for hardware encryption and WORM protection

It’s a solution built for growing businesses that need affordable, long-term data protection without added complexity.

Offline not off guard How HPE can help keep SMBs better protected from cyber threats

The bottom line: cybersecurity is layered, and your storage should be too

Cyber threats aren’t slowing down, and the financial and reputational risks are only growing. But for SMBs, achieving true cyber resilience doesn’t have to be complex or expensive.

With HPE Storage Tape, you get:

A last line of defense against ransomware

Affordable, scalable long-term storage

Proven reliability backed by HPE expertise

Protect your business. Secure your data. And make sure that no cyberattack can ever erase your hard-earned success.

https://community.hpe.com/t5/around-the-storage-block/offline-not-off-guard-how-hpe-can-help-keep-smbs-better/ba-p/7262193?profile.language=en

Posted in News, Product and tagged backup, cyber, cybersecurity, hpe, protected, resilience, risks, security, smbs, threats, wtrade