Backblaze B2 Cloud Storage Winter Update Makes Cloud Workloads More Secure and Streamlined

Rhea-AI Summary

Backblaze (NASDAQ: BLZE) has announced the Winter Release of its B2 Cloud Storage platform, introducing significant updates to enhance enterprise security and streamline data workflows. The release includes several key features: Scalable Application Keys allowing generation of up to 10,000 unique data access keys per minute, Scoped Application Keys for more nuanced access control, and a strengthened Command Line Interface with improved security features.

The update also introduces Event Notifications for automated workflow triggers, Custom Upload Timestamps for maintaining original file metadata during migrations, and IPv6 support. The platform, which serves over 100,000 businesses, now includes a Partner API for automated trial account provisioning and various under-the-hood improvements for enhanced system efficiency and service stability. All features are available across all Backblaze global regions, including the new Canada East data region.

Positive

• Enhanced security features with 150x increase in key generation capacity
• Automated workflow capabilities through Event Notifications
• Expanded infrastructure with IPv6 support and new Canada East data region
• Improved system efficiency and service stability

Negative

• None.

Insights

Cloud Infrastructure Analyst

This strategic platform update significantly strengthens Backblaze's enterprise market position with features directly targeting key growth segments. The 150x increase in key generation capacity specifically addresses high-scale IoT and video surveillance markets, potentially opening new revenue streams in sectors traditionally dominated by AWS and Azure.

The introduction of granular security controls and compliance-focused features like custom timestamps represents a calculated move into regulated industries - a high-margin segment that typically generates stable, recurring revenue. This positions Backblaze to compete more effectively for enterprise contracts while maintaining their cost advantage against larger providers.

The automated workflow capabilities, particularly the platform-agnostic webhook notifications, demonstrate technical sophistication in multi-cloud environments. This approach cleverly avoids vendor lock-in concerns while simplifying enterprise adoption, potentially accelerating customer acquisition in the growing $76.8 billion cloud storage market.

The IPv6 implementation is particularly strategic, as it reduces infrastructure costs for both Backblaze and its customers while future-proofing the platform. This technical foundation, combined with the new Canada East region, indicates preparation for accelerated global enterprise expansion.

From a competitive standpoint, these enhancements address enterprise pain points around security, compliance and automation without sacrificing Backblaze's core value proposition of simplicity and cost-effectiveness. This could drive increased adoption among mid-market and enterprise customers seeking alternatives to premium-priced hyperscale providers.

Latest Release Expands Enterprise Security Options, Makes Data Migration Easier, and Adds Ability to Automate Data Workflows

SAN MATEO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Backblaze, Inc. (Nasdaq: BLZE), the cloud storage innovator providing a modern alternative to traditional cloud providers, announces the Winter Release of its B2 Cloud Storage platform. This latest Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS) release includes updates to help larger organizations secure and manage their data workflows.

David Ngo, Chief Product Officer at Backblaze, comments on the B2 Cloud Storage Winter Release and how it supports over 100,000 businesses and organizations. (Graphic: Business Wire)

“Our high-performance, S3-compatible Backblaze B2 cloud object storage is used by more than 100,000 businesses and organizations, large and small, for their application, media, backup, AI, and other storage use cases,” said David Ngo, Chief Product Officer, Backblaze. “We see this release helping us better serve them and the next 100,000.”

Winter Release highlights:

Enhancing Enterprise Security

• Scalable Application Keys: Empowers enterprises to generate and refresh up to 10,000 unique data access keys per minute–a 150x increase–so they can securely move more bits & bytes between vast endpoint networks and Backblaze B2 storage buckets. Ideal for video surveillance systems with massive camera deployments, mobile applications, and IoT device fleet operators. Each individual endpoint can be provisioned with short-lived keys to control data flow with strict security standards, and this can be managed programmatically at scale.
• Scoped Application Keys: Gives system administrators the ability to generate application keys for specific prefixes within all of their storage buckets. Ideal for any security-focused entity that wants to orchestrate more nuanced control access to specific groups of objects.
• Strengthened B2 Command Line Interface (CLI): Enhances credential management by moving from disk-stored credentials to secure local caching while also adding productivity features like autocomplete suggestions and shortcuts to save users time. Ideal for CLI workload environments striving to provide heightened data protection with more speed and ease, while also making Backblaze B2 more intuitive to use.

Streamlining Workflows & Data Migration

• Event Notifications: Helps businesses streamline workflows and make informed decisions faster by automatically triggering actions and updates based on data changes in Backblaze. For example, a new file upload can be set to initiate media transcoding or send a Slack alert. Of note, the service can send a notification to any webhook—it is not limited to one platform or a legacy intermediary tool like AWS messaging services. Ideal for use cases in application management, media production, and IT backup and security, where automation can save time, cut costs, increase security, and reduce manual errors—enabling smoother workflows across preferred tools and in multi-cloud environments.
• Custom Upload Timestamps: Provides the ability to retain original file timestamp data from other storage providers when migrating or copying datasets into Backblaze B2–supporting data portability for companies that rely upon timestamps in their compliance-focused data lifecycle management. Ideal for organizations that must adhere to legal or regulatory standards on retention durations. They can now capitalize on the benefits of Backblaze B2 without also having to manually update every file’s retention timing for compliance purposes.
• Powered by Backblaze / Partner API: Adds the ability for organizations that leverage Backblaze's embedded cloud object storage solution to now provision their customers with trial storage accounts, automatically. Ideal for independent software vendors (ISV) including SaaS platforms, content delivery network (CDN) operators, and managed service providers (MSP) that want to showcase their seamless, expanded value delivery and drive adoption by offering a risk-free trial experience.
• Internet Protocol Version 6 (IPv6): Delivers expanded capacity to support more IP addresses while avoiding public IPv4 address costs and the need for Network Address Translation (NAT). Ideal for organizations looking to reduce NAT hardware costs and complexity while expanding their network seamlessly with IPv6-enabled systems today or in the future. Note: Backblaze continues to also support IPv4 addresses.

The company furthermore delivered a number of under-the-hood architecture and network improvements to better serve enterprise needs. Among them: optimizing system efficiency to ultimately free up processing power for customers to use, and adding real-time monitoring of external internet conditions so the Backblaze team can more effectively manage for stable service delivery.

All of these enhancements and features are available across all Backblaze global regions, including in its newly-launched Canada East data region.

About Backblaze

Backblaze is the cloud storage innovator providing a modern alternative to traditional cloud providers. We deliver high-performance, secure cloud object storage that customers use to develop applications, manage media, secure backups, build AI workflows, protect from ransomware, and more. Backblaze helps businesses break free from the walled gardens that traditional providers lock customers into, enabling them to use their data in open cloud workflows with the providers they prefer at a fraction of the cost. Headquartered in San Mateo, CA, Backblaze (NASDAQ: BLZE) was founded in 2007 and serves over 500,000 customers in 175 countries around the world. For more information, please go to www.backblaze.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250130301861/en/

Press Contact

Yev Pusin

Backblaze PR

press@backbalze.com

Source: Backblaze, Inc.

FAQ

What are the main features in Backblaze's (BLZE) Winter Release for B2 Cloud Storage?

The main features include Scalable Application Keys (10,000 keys/minute), Scoped Application Keys for access control, strengthened CLI, Event Notifications for automated workflows, Custom Upload Timestamps, and IPv6 support.

How many businesses currently use Backblaze B2 Cloud Storage (BLZE)?

According to the release, Backblaze B2 cloud object storage is used by more than 100,000 businesses and organizations, both large and small.

What security improvements does the BLZE Winter Release offer?

The release offers enhanced security through Scalable Application Keys (150x increase in key generation), Scoped Application Keys for nuanced access control, and strengthened CLI with secure local caching.

How does the new Event Notifications feature benefit BLZE customers?

Event Notifications allows businesses to automate workflows by triggering actions based on data changes, such as initiating media transcoding or sending Slack alerts, saving time and reducing manual errors.

What is the significance of Custom Upload Timestamps in BLZE's Winter Release?

Custom Upload Timestamps allow organizations to retain original file timestamp data when migrating to Backblaze B2, which is important for compliance-focused data lifecycle management and regulatory requirements.