Efficient auto retention lock (ARL) policy implementation during backup job initiation

A computer-implemented method to automatically retention lock a file in a backup server executing a backup application, comprising:

• defining, as attributes, a first automatic retention lock (ARL) period specifying an amount of time to lock the file, and a cooling (COP) period specifying an amount of time within the ARL period after which the file will be locked if no modifications are made to the file during the COP;
• assigning an ARL label ID to the attributes;
• storing the ARL label ID in a label database;
• and
• attaching, in the backup application, an ARL label ID to a protection policy during creation of the protection policy;
• and
• sending, from the backup application, the ARL label ID in a backup session initiated by the backup server to automatically set a lock on all files processed in the same backup session for a backup job, wherein the lock conforms to the ARL period and COP period.

A system for automatically retention locking a file in a backup system having a backup server executing a backup application, comprising:

• a first retention lock (ARL) component defining, as attributes, an automatic retention lock (ARL) period specifying an amount of time to lock the file, and a cooling (COP) period specifying an amount of time within the ARL period after which the file will be locked if no modifications are made to the file during the COP, and assigning a ARL label ID to the attributes;
• a component attaching, in the backup application, an ARL label ID to a protection policy during creation of the protection policy;
• a hardware-based storage medium storing the ARL label ID in a label database;
• and
• an interface component sending, from the backup application, the ARL label ID during a backup session initiated by the backup server to automatically set a lock on all files processed by the backup session, wherein the lock conforms to the ARL period and COP period.