A redundant array of independent nodes are networked together. Each node executes an instance of an application that provides object-based storage. The nodes are grouped into a plurality of systems each having multiple nodes. A data protection level method comprises setting a numerical value of a system dynamic data protection level for each system of nodes; and in response to user input, setting a value of a data protection level for one or more data objects in a system, the value being a fixed numerical value or a dynamic value. If the one or more data objects have a dynamic value of the data protection level in a system, the one or more data objects inherit the system dynamic data protection level of the system in which the one or more data objects reside. The value of the data protection level represents a number of copies of data of the one or more data objects to be kept where the one or more data objects reside.