Commvault, a global leader in cyber resilience and data protection solutions for hybrid cloud environments, announced on 15 January the launch of an automated recovery solution for Microsoft Active Directory. This latest addition to the Commvault Cloud platform aims to bolster business continuity and cyber resilience amidst increasing ransomware attacks.
Addressing vulnerabilities in enterprise identity systems
Microsoft Active Directory, often referred to as the backbone of enterprise IT, manages authentication and access for over 610 million users worldwide. It controls critical functions, from workstation logins to physical building access. However, it is also a primary target for cybercriminals, being involved in nearly 90% of all cyberattacks, according to industry reports.
Recognising the high stakes of Active Directory downtime—which can bring business operations to a halt—Commvault has launched its Cloud Backup & Recovery for Active Directory Enterprise Edition. This new offering automates the recovery of an entire Active Directory forest, significantly reducing recovery times and eliminating the complexities of traditional, manual recovery methods.
Features of the new Active Directory recovery solution
Commvault’s Backup & Recovery for Active Directory Enterprise Edition introduces several advanced capabilities to enhance resilience and streamline recovery:
- Automated runbooks for seamless recovery: The solution includes automated runbooks to simplify the multi-step process of Active Directory forest recovery. Tasks like transferring roles from an unavailable domain controller to an operational one are automated for faster recovery. These runbooks can also be tested regularly in non-production environments, improving readiness for potential attacks.
- Visual topology for quick restoration: Organisations can use visual topology views to identify domain controllers needing immediate restoration. This approach prioritises critical components, accelerating the availability of Active Directory services.
- Integrated recovery for hybrid environments: Commvault’s platform allows granular recovery for both on-premises Active Directory and Entra ID, Microsoft’s cloud-based identity service. This integration provides comprehensive protection and ensures faster recovery across hybrid infrastructures.
Manual recovery of Active Directory forests often takes days or weeks to complete, but Commvault claims its solution can reduce this timeframe to mere hours, ensuring minimal disruption to business operations.
Expert endorsements highlight critical impact
Industry leaders have praised Commvault’s innovative approach. Jeffrey Day, Deputy Chief Information Security Officer at the Nevada Department of Transportation, commented, “Active Directory is the heart that keeps our business functioning, and in the event of a ransomware attack, recovering it will be one of our top priorities. Commvault’s innovation with Active Directory forest recovery will provide us with the confidence and peace of mind that not only can we recover our Active Directory data, but we will be able to do so quickly and accurately.”
Pranay Ahlawat, Chief Technology and AI Officer at Commvault, underscored the importance of the solution: “Recovering Active Directory is foundational to maintaining continuous business after a cyberattack, yet traditional methods are too complex and prone to error. With automated Active Directory forest recovery, we are giving customers game-changing recovery capabilities.”
Krista Case, Research Director at Futurum Group, highlighted the growing relevance of such solutions in today’s threat landscape: “With identity-based attacks on the rise, it has never been more critical to protect Active Directory. Commvault’s approach addresses critical requirements, including the need to streamline security operations and accelerate recoveries.”
Advancing resilience for modern enterprises
Commvault’s new solution underscores its commitment to enhancing cyber resilience for enterprises. By integrating Active Directory forest recovery into its broader platform, Commvault enables organisations to stay operational and minimise downtime, even in the face of sophisticated cyber threats. As ransomware attacks grow more frequent and damaging, automated solutions like this are becoming indispensable for modern businesses.
