Abstract: A method for establishing secure connectivity is described. The method may include transmitting, to one or more host nodes of a data management system (DMS), an indication of a backup service configuration that includes a public key certificate associated with a first cluster of storage nodes in the DMS and a root certificate associated with a certificate authority. The method may further include establishing a primary connection between the first cluster and the host nodes using the public key certificate. The method may further include obtaining, by a second cluster of storage nodes in the DMS, a certificate chain signed by the certificate authority. The method may further include establishing a secondary connection between the second cluster and the host nodes in response to the first cluster becoming disconnected from the host nodes, where the secondary connection is established using the certificate chain.