Acronis Cyber Protect combines traditional backup with cybersecurity features, aiming to simplify IT management for small businesses. Our testing shows this unified approach offers genuine benefits, though with some trade-offs compared to specialized solutions.
After extensive testing across multiple business environments, we found that Acronis Cyber Protect provides a practical solution for organizations seeking to consolidate their backup and security needs. While it may not match dedicated solutions in every area, its integrated approach delivers meaningful value for resource-constrained IT teams.
At a Glance
| Acronis Cyber Protect | Rating: 4/5 |
|---|---|
| Best for | Small to medium businesses wanting unified backup and security |
| Starting price | $68/year per workstation |
| Key strength | Seamless integration of backup and cybersecurity |
| Main weakness | Customer support inconsistencies |
| Bottom line | Solid choice for businesses prioritizing simplicity over specialization |
What Is Acronis Cyber Protect?
Acronis Cyber Protect represents the company's evolution from a traditional backup vendor into a cybersecurity-focused platform. Rather than offering separate products for data protection and threat prevention, Acronis has built an integrated solution that handles both functions from a single management console.
The platform emerged as businesses increasingly struggled to coordinate between multiple security vendors. Instead of managing separate backup software, antivirus solutions, and patch management tools, Cyber Protect consolidates these functions into one streamlined package.
At its core, the platform provides image-based backup capabilities enhanced with real-time security monitoring, malware detection, and vulnerability management. This approach aims to prevent the common scenario where backup data becomes infected with malware, requiring organizations to restore from potentially compromised sources.
Key Features
Backup and Recovery
– Image-based backups for complete system protection
– Universal restore capabilities across different hardware
– Support for physical servers, virtual machines, and cloud workloads
– Incremental and differential backup options to minimize storage usage
Integrated Security
– Real-time anti-malware protection with behavioral analysis
– Ransomware protection with backup validation
– Patch management with automatic pre-patch backups
– Vulnerability assessments and security monitoring
Management and Storage
– Unified web-based management console
– Flexible storage options including local, cloud, and hybrid
– Automated backup scheduling with policy-based management
– Compliance reporting and audit trail capabilities
Performance and Reliability
Acronis Cyber Protect demonstrated solid performance across various backup scenarios during our testing. Initial full backups completed efficiently, though resource consumption was noticeable during peak operations. Subsequent incremental backups showed minimal system impact, making them suitable for operation during business hours.
Backup Speed Results
In our lab environment, backing up a 500GB server took approximately 3.5 hours for the initial full backup over a gigabit network connection. Incremental backups, averaging 15GB of changed data, were completed in under 20 minutes. These results align with industry standards for enterprise backup solutions.
Recovery Performance
File-level recovery proved straightforward through the web interface, with individual documents restored in seconds. Full system recovery to dissimilar hardware, including driver injection and configuration adjustments, took approximately 2 hours for a typical office workstation.
Security Effectiveness
The integrated antivirus component successfully detected and blocked malware samples during our testing, though detection rates weren't quite as high as specialized security solutions like dedicated cybersecurity platforms. However, the backup scanning feature adds a valuable layer of protection by preventing the restoration of infected data.
Pricing and Plans
Acronis Cyber Protect uses a per-device annual licensing model with three main tiers:
Standard Edition – $68-99/year per workstation
– Core backup functionality with basic scheduling
– Integrated anti-malware protection
– Local and cloud storage options
– Web-based management console
Advanced Backup – $87/year per workstation
– Enhanced backup features, including deduplication
– Advanced restore options and bare-metal recovery
– Backup validation and integrity checking
– Extended retention policies
Advanced Security – $103/year per workstation
– Full security suite with endpoint detection and response
– Vulnerability management and patch deployment
– Forensic backup capabilities for compliance
– Advanced threat protection and behavioral analysis
Note: Acronis currently offers up to 20% discount on annual subscriptions. Pricing may vary based on volume and contract terms.
Cloud Storage Costs
Cloud storage is priced separately, starting at $69/year for 250GB. This additional cost should factor into budget planning for businesses requiring significant cloud capacity. Many organizations opt for hybrid approaches, using local storage for primary backups and cloud storage for disaster recovery.
Value Assessment
Compared to purchasing separate backup and security solutions, Cyber Protect offers reasonable value for organizations with 10-50 endpoints. A comparable setup using alternative backup solutions plus a business antivirus solution would typically cost 20-30% more while requiring additional management overhead.
Dedicated solutions may provide better functionality per dollar spent for larger organizations or those with specialized security requirements. However, the operational savings from unified management often justify the integrated approach for smaller IT teams.
User Experience
Management Console
The web-based management interface follows modern design principles with intuitive navigation. Setting up backup policies requires minimal technical expertise, though advanced features like custom retention rules may challenge less experienced administrators.
Dashboard widgets provide clear visibility into backup status, security alerts, and system health. The mobile-responsive design allows administrators to monitor operations from tablets and smartphones, though detailed configuration tasks work best on desktop computers.
Installation and Setup
Using the centralized deployment tools, deploying agents across multiple endpoints proved straightforward. Group policies allow batch configuration of similar systems, reducing the time investment for initial setup.
The initial configuration wizard guides administrators through essential settings, though we recommend reviewing default policies to ensure they align with business requirements. Documentation is comprehensive, covering most common deployment scenarios.
Daily Operations
Once configured, Cyber Protect operates with minimal intervention. Automated backup scheduling reduces administrative overhead, while security alerts require attention only when threats are detected.
The notification system provides appropriate detail without overwhelming administrators with routine status updates. However, some users report wanting more granular control over alert thresholds and delivery methods.
Compared to the Competition
Acronis vs. Veeam Backup & Replication
Veeam is widely regarded as a leading enterprise backup solution, offering superior performance and more advanced features for complex virtual environments. However, Veeam's per-socket licensing can become expensive for organizations with multiple physical servers.
Acronis provides better value for mixed physical and virtual environments, with simpler licensing and integrated security features. Cyber Protect offers a more streamlined experience for organizations seeking ease of use over advanced functionality.
Acronis vs. Traditional Antivirus Plus Backup
Comparing Cyber Protect to separate solutions like Norton Small Business plus Carbonite reveals interesting trade-offs. The separate approach often provides superior performance in each category but requires coordinating between multiple vendors for support and management.
Cyber Protect's integrated approach shines during incident response scenarios, where backup and security teams can access the same data and tools. This coordination becomes valuable when investigating security incidents or recovering from ransomware attacks.
Acronis vs. Cloud-Native Solutions
Modern cloud-based solutions like Microsoft 365 Advanced Threat Protection plus Azure Backup offer compelling alternatives for organizations already committed to cloud infrastructure. These solutions often provide superior integration with cloud productivity tools.
However, Cyber Protect's hybrid approach works better for organizations with significant on-premises infrastructure or those requiring local backup storage for compliance reasons.
Security Analysis
Acronis Cyber Protect includes AI-enhanced behavioral heuristic antivirus, anti-malware, anti-ransomware, and anti-cryptojacking technologies for real-time protection. The platform scans backup data for malware and can remove threats during recovery to help prevent reinfection.
Advanced Protection Features:
– Vulnerability assessments and patch management
– Forensic backup mode for compliance and investigation needs
– Immutable backup storage to prevent ransomware encryption
– URL filtering and endpoint detection capabilities
NIST Framework Alignment
Organizations implementing comprehensive cybersecurity frameworks will find that Cyber Protect aligns well with NIST CSF 2.0 requirements, providing coverage across multiple framework functions:
Govern: Centralized policy management and compliance reporting through a unified console
Identify: Asset inventory, vulnerability scanning, and security posture monitoring
Protect: Data encryption, access controls, patch management, and anti-malware protection
Detect: Continuous monitoring, anomaly detection, and threat hunting capabilities
Respond: Automated incident response, forensic backups, and threat investigation tools
Recover: Rapid restore capabilities, attack rollback features, and disaster recovery planning
Implementation Analysis
Requirements
– Windows Servers: Windows Server 2003 SP1 through Server 2025 (all installation options except Nano Server)
– Memory: 150 MB minimum per Windows agent (typical backup operations use ~350 MB, peak up to 2 GB)
– Disk Space: 850 MB to 1.7 GB, depending on components installed
– Network: Internet connectivity for cloud storage and security updates
– Access: Administrative privileges for agent deployment and management
Implementation Timeline
Week 1-2: Agent deployment across endpoints, initial backup policy configuration, baseline security scans
Week 3-4: Security policy setup, vulnerability scanning configuration, backup validation testing
Month 2: Policy optimization, monitoring procedure establishment, and staff training completion
Trial and Evaluation
Acronis offers a 30-day free trial that allows users to evaluate core features before purchasing. This trial period provides sufficient time to test backup and restore procedures, security scanning capabilities, and management console functionality across different workload types. The trial also includes access to cloud storage for testing cloud backup scenarios.
Common Challenges
– Resource consumption during initial backup creation can impact system performance
– License complexity when managing mixed physical and virtual environments
– Support responsiveness has received mixed feedback from users, according to reviews
Real-World Applications
Small Professional Services Firm
A 25-person law firm implemented Cyber Protect to replace their aging tape backup system and basic antivirus software. The unified approach simplified vendor management while providing modern features like cloud replication and behavioral malware detection.
The firm's IT administrator appreciated being able to verify backup integrity and security status from a single console, particularly during their busy tax season when system reliability becomes critical.
Growing E-commerce Company
An online retailer with 40 employees adopted Cyber Protect during rapid expansion. They needed to protect new servers and workstations quickly, and the unlimited virtual machine licensing proved valuable as they moved more applications to VMware.
The integrated patch management feature helped maintain security compliance while automatically creating backups before applying updates, reducing the risk of update-related system failures.
Multi-Location Medical Practice
A healthcare organization with three offices chose Cyber Protect for its HIPAA compliance features and centralized management capabilities. The ability to manage backups and security policies across all locations from a single console simplified their compliance documentation.
The forensic backup capabilities proved valuable during a compliance audit, allowing them to demonstrate both data protection and security monitoring across their patient record systems.
Pros and Cons
What We Like
Simplified Vendor Management
Managing backup and security from one vendor reduces coordination overhead and potential finger-pointing during incidents. Support calls, billing, and contract negotiations all flow through a single relationship.
Comprehensive Feature Set
The platform covers most small business backup and security needs without requiring additional software purchases. The base package includes essential functions, from bare-metal recovery to behavioral malware detection.
Flexible Storage Options
Support for local, cloud, and hybrid storage configurations allows organizations to optimize for cost, performance, and compliance requirements. The ability to change storage targets without reconfiguring backup policies adds valuable flexibility.
Unlimited VM Licensing
Each server license covers unlimited virtual machines on that host, providing excellent value for virtualized environments. This licensing model scales well as organizations adopt virtualization technologies.
Areas for Improvement
Customer Support Consistency
User feedback indicates inconsistent support experiences, with some customers receiving helpful technical assistance while others reporting difficulty reaching knowledgeable representatives. Consistent support quality is important for critical infrastructure software.
Resource Consumption
Initial backups and security scans can impact system performance more than some competing solutions. Organizations with older hardware may need to schedule these operations during off-hours to minimize user impact.
Advanced Security Features
While the integrated security capabilities cover essential business needs, they don't match the sophistication of dedicated security platforms. Organizations facing advanced persistent threats may require additional security tools.
Pricing Complexity
The combination of device licensing and separate cloud storage costs can make total cost planning challenging. More transparent pricing calculators would help organizations accurately estimate their total investment.
Should You Choose Acronis Cyber Protect?
Best Fit Scenarios
You should consider Cyber Protect if:
– Your organization manages 10-100 endpoints with limited IT staff
– You currently use multiple vendors for backup and security
– Compliance requirements demand both backup validation and security monitoring
– Your environment includes mixed physical and virtual systems
– Operational simplicity outweighs specialized functionality in your priorities
Alternative Solutions Make Sense When
Look elsewhere if:
– Budget constraints require the absolute lowest cost solution
– Your security requirements demand cutting-edge threat detection
– You have dedicated staff who prefer specialized best-of-breed tools
– Your environment consists primarily of cloud-native applications
– Enterprise-scale features and performance are essential
Decision Framework
Start by evaluating your current vendor management overhead. If you're coordinating between multiple backup and security providers, Cyber Protect's integration benefits may justify its cost premium over separate solutions.
Consider your technical expertise level. Organizations with experienced IT teams may prefer specialized tools that offer more control and optimization options. Smaller teams often benefit from integrated solutions that reduce complexity.
Finally, assess your growth trajectory. Fast-growing organizations may outgrow integrated solutions and require more specialized tools as they scale. Stable organizations often find long-term value in simplified vendor relationships.
For organizations evaluating comprehensive security strategies, Cyber Protect can serve as a foundational element that integrates well with other security tools and policies.
Final Verdict
Acronis Cyber Protect successfully delivers on its premise of unified backup and security management, though users should understand the trade-offs between integration and specialization. The platform performs well for organizations that value operational simplicity over cutting-edge features in either backup or security domains.
The integrated approach provides practical benefits during incident response scenarios, where having backup and security data in one console can accelerate problem resolution. This operational efficiency often justifies the approach over separate specialized solutions for resource-constrained IT teams.
While customer support inconsistencies and resource consumption during operations are notable concerns, Cyber Protect represents a practical choice for organizations seeking to consolidate their infrastructure protection needs. The platform's combination of reliable backup functionality with adequate security features addresses the requirements of most small to medium businesses.
Rating: 4/5 Stars
Bottom Line: Acronis Cyber Protect works well for organizations with 10-50 endpoints seeking to simplify vendor management while maintaining comprehensive data protection and essential security capabilities. Consider alternatives if you require cutting-edge security features or operate under strict budget constraints.
Try Acronis Cyber Protect with a 30-day free trial
This review reflects our testing and analysis as of January 2025. Product features and pricing may change. We may earn a commission from purchases made through affiliate links, which doesn't affect our editorial independence or the price you pay. Consider reading the official CISA backup recommendations alongside your vendor evaluation process for comprehensive guidance on building a secure backup strategy.
