Acronis True Image 2017 New Generation offers four key advantages: comprehensive backup, Blockchain-based authentication to ensure data integrity, protection against ransomware, and secure e-signatures.

Acronis, a global provider of hybrid-cloud data protection and storage solutions, has introduced Acronis True Image 2017 New Generation. This release builds upon the existing backup features of Acronis True Image with three significant additions:

• Acronis Active Protection safeguards user data against ransomware attacks in real time.
• Acronis Notary provides Blockchain-based certification and verification for data. 
• Acronis ASign offers a service for electronically signing documents.

Mike Chadwick, Acronis’ VP of Engineering and Cloud Operations, highlighted the benefits of Acronis at a press conference.

In the past, data backups primarily focused on on-premise storage and restoration when needed. However, as Acronis points out, today’s cloud-centric landscape demands a different approach. With data distributed across home and work computers, mobile devices, and cloud platforms, there’s a crucial need for accessible, verifiable, and actively protected data copies.

Mike Chadwick emphasized this shift: “It’s all about having control over your data and being able to locate it effortlessly.”

Serguei Beloussov, co-founder and CEO of Acronis, highlighted the company’s experience, stating, “With over 5 million Acronis True Image users, we understand how to provide robust data protection for individuals and families globally. Acronis True Image 2017 New Generation, powered by Acronis Active Protection, offers the definitive defense against cyberattacks. It’s a crucial addition to any antivirus software, particularly free or built-in options.”

Phil Goodwin, Research Director at IDC, echoed these sentiments, noting that evolving cyber threats necessitate adaptable data protection strategies. He praised Acronis True Image for integrating cutting-edge technologies designed to counter a spectrum of risks and minimize data loss.

Eugene Kaspersky, Chairman and CEO of Kaspersky Lab, acknowledged the escalating threat of ransomware affecting both individuals and enterprises. He stressed the importance of not giving in to ransomware demands, though acknowledged the emotional and practical difficulties this presents. Kaspersky highlighted the necessity of robust internet security measures and a dependable, isolated backup system to ensure business continuity in such events. He welcomed Acronis’ introduction of a backup solution tailored to address this trend.

Crafted to deliver advanced data protection for consumers, small to medium-sized businesses, and home offices, Acronis True Image surpasses its closest competitors in performance by more than double.* It safeguards data across Windows and Mac computers, iOS and Android mobile devices, and Facebook accounts, with plans to expand social media support to Instagram and Pinterest soon. The software employs AES 256 encryption, the most secure AES standard, and allows data storage across various destinations, including external drives, NAS devices, network shares, and the secure Acronis Cloud.

A standout feature of Acronis True Image New Generation is its market-first Active Protection technology. Developed at Acronis’ R&D center in Singapore, Active Protection provides real-time detection and prevention of ransomware attacks. It automatically recovers compromised data and safeguards both backups and the backup application itself.

Acronis Active Protection monitors computer activity, identifying and thwarting malicious applications before they can harm user data, backups, or the backup software. Behavioral heuristics play a key role in detecting and preventing both new and known ransomware threats, bolstering backup security and minimizing the need for data restoration.

Acronis Notary introduces Blockchain-based data authentication. This feature certifies any file’s content and verifies its integrity against the original, recording unique digital fingerprints in a tamper-proof, distributed database built on Blockchain. Blockchain technology empowers users to independently confirm data authenticity at any point, a crucial capability for sensitive documents such as contracts, medical records, and financial statements.

For Blockchain-based document certification, Acronis offers ASign. This feature allows multiple parties to securely sign and certify documents with a publicly verifiable digital signature. Users benefit from the convenience of protecting their backed-up documents, verifying them with Acronis Notary, and applying electronic signatures—all within a single, reliable backup solution.

While e-signatures are legally recognized in numerous countries, Blockchain-supported documentation is still relatively new. Global acceptance is pending, though legal frameworks are expected to catch up soon. Chadwick emphasizes the value proposition: “It’s another piece of evidence you can present to demonstrate that your data remains untampered.”

Additional highlights include:

+A user-friendly, touch-optimized interface across all devices.

+Enhanced features for Mac users, including support for unmounted NAS as both source and backup locations, wireless backups of mobile devices to Macs with local data browsing, and compatibility with Mac OS X Sierra.

+A comprehensive mobile backup experience, offering encryption, file previews, recovery options, and the ability to browse all cloud backups directly from mobile devices.

+Backup and recovery for Facebook accounts, enabling users to browse and restore their Facebook data to an existing or new account, with encryption applied and storage secured in the Acronis Cloud.

Intrigued?

Acronis True Image 2017 New Generation is a new premium subscription for Acronis True Image, retaining the familiar user interface. Upgrade options are available for existing Acronis True Image users.

Acronis True Image 2017 New Generation offers flexible subscription plans for one, three, or five computers, priced at S$139.99, S$200.99, and S$224.99, respectively. Each annual subscription includes 1 TB of Acronis Cloud Storage.

For details on Singapore’s Electronic Transactions Act, please refer to this link.

*Based on internal testing.