Worldwide, we’re hearing horror stories.

The latest targets - hospitals and life support centers!

Thousands of lives are at risk unless you pay the gargantuan ransom - something you should never do at any cost.

This article is not going to talk about ransomware attacks.

We all know what they are and the very real threat that they pose.

What we are going to talk about in this article is - the solution.

Yes - there is a simple solution to ransomware attacks, and it will just require a little bit of preparation and investment on your part.

And the best factor - it can be automated.

Automated Cloud Backups

Ideally three automated backups on three different platforms - managed by three different people - daily.

Why?

Cloud backups can be configured to handle their availabilities in ways hackers can’t access.

Of course, the people taking backups and their details should be MFA-managed, and their identities should be known only to management and executive staff, including the CISO.

Cloud backups can provide several key advantages in protecting against ransomware attacks:

Immutable Storage

Many cloud backup solutions, such as Amazon S3 and Azure Blob Storage, offer immutable storage options that prevent data from being modified or deleted once written.

This ensures that even if ransomware encrypts the primary data, the backups remain unaffected and can be used for restoration.

Air-Gapped Backups

Cloud backups can be configured to be air-gapped, meaning they are not directly connected to any network.

This physical separation makes it extremely difficult for ransomware to spread to and encrypt the backup data, providing an additional layer of protection.

Redundancy and Versioning

Cloud backup services often maintain multiple copies of data in different locations and provide versioning capabilities.

This redundancy ensures that even if one backup is compromised, other copies remain available.

Versioning allows data from previous uninfected states to be restored.

Automatic and Frequent Backups

Many cloud backup solutions offer automatic and frequent backups, reducing the potential data loss in case of a ransomware attack.

The ability to restore data from a recent backup minimizes the impact and downtime caused by an attack.

Offsite Storage

By storing backups in the cloud, the data is physically separated from the local network and devices.

This offsite storage makes it difficult for ransomware to spread to and encrypt the backups, providing an additional layer of protection compared to on-premises backups.

Centralized Management

Cloud backup services often provide a centralized management console, allowing IT administrators to easily monitor, manage, and restore backups from a single interface.

This simplifies the backup management process and ensures consistent protection across the organization.

By leveraging the inherent advantages of cloud backups, organizations can significantly enhance their resilience against ransomware attacks and ensure business continuity in the event of a successful infection.

We refer to the 3-2-1 strategy of taking backups quite often.

3-2-1 Backup Strategy

The 3-2-1 backup strategy is a best practice for data protection that helps ensure data is adequately backed up and available for recovery when needed.

The key components of the 3-2-1 backup strategy are:

3 Copies of Data

Maintain three copies of your data: the original/production data and two backup copies

2 Different Media Types

Store the backup copies on two different types of storage media, such as disk and tape, or disk and cloud.

Using different media types protects against a single point of failure if one storage system fails.

1 Offsite Copy

Keep one of the backup copies in a geographically separate, offsite location.

An offsite copy protects against site-wide disasters that could destroy onsite backups.

By following the 3-2-1 rule, you have multiple redundant copies of your data stored using diverse storage technologies, with one copy isolated from the others.

This multi-layered approach significantly reduces the risk of permanent data loss from hardware failures, human errors, or localized disasters.

The 3-2-1 strategy is considered a baseline for data protection, with some organizations implementing even more redundant copies.

However, the 3-2-1 rule provides a simple, effective framework to ensure critical data is adequately backed up and recoverable.

How Do I Follow the 3-2-1 Strategy If I am an SMB?

Implementing the 3-2-1 backup strategy in your small business involves a structured approach to ensure data safety and availability.

Here’s how you can effectively apply this strategy:

Steps to Implement the 3-2-1 Backup Strategy

1. Create Three Copies of Your Data

   • Ensure you have the original data and two additional backup copies.

   • This redundancy helps protect against data loss.

2. Use Two Different Media Types

   • Store the backups on at least two different types of media.

   • For example, you might use an external hard drive for one backup and a cloud storage service for the other.

   • This diversity protects against failures associated with a single storage medium.

3. Keep One Copy Offsite

   • Store one backup copy in a different physical location.

   • This could be achieved through cloud storage or by physically transporting a backup drive to a secure offsite location.

   • This step is crucial for protecting against local disasters, such as fires or floods.

Additional Best Practices

1. Schedule Regular Backups

• Automate your backup process to ensure that data is consistently updated.
• Regular backups help maintain the integrity of your data and reduce the risk of losing recent changes.

2. Test Your Backups

• Periodically verify that your backups are functioning correctly and that you can restore data from them.
• Testing ensures that your backup strategy is effective and that you can recover data when needed.

3. Protect Your Backups
   • Use strong passwords and encryption to secure your backups against unauthorized access.
   • This is especially important for cloud backups, where data is stored online.

4. Document Your Backup Procedures

   • Maintain clear documentation of your backup processes and review them regularly to ensure they align with your business needs and any changes in technology or data requirements.

5. Consider Professional Guidance

   • If needed, consult with IT professionals to tailor a backup solution that fits your specific requirements and budget.
   • They can help you choose the right tools and strategies for your business.

By following these steps and best practices, you can successfully implement the 3-2-1 backup strategy in your SMB, ensuring that your data is well-protected against potential loss from various threats, including ransomware attacks.

Conclusion - in part!

You might say:

Well, Thomas, suppose I am a large-scale enterprise operating over multiple continents and geographical areas, with multiple heterogenous systems in multiple configurations, how do I handle a ransomware attack?

I’m glad you asked!

Because that’s the title of my next article.

See you there!

References

1. https://cloudian.com/guides/ransomware-backup/ransomware-backup/

2. https://www.cloudally.com/blog/how-to-protect-backups-from-ransomware/

3. https://www.seagate.com/in/en/blog/protect-against-ransomware-attacks-cloud-storage/

4. https://www.mimecast.com/content/ransomware-backup/

5. https://www.upguard.com/blog/best-practices-to-prevent-ransomware-attacks

6. https://www.techtarget.com/searchdatabackup/definition/3-2-1-Backup-Strategy

7. https://www.backblaze.com/blog/the-3-2-1-backup-strategy/

8. https://www.druva.com/glossary/3-2-1-backup-rule

9. https://www.veeam.com/blog/321-backup-rule.html

10. https://www.downtowncomputers.com/backup-strategies-why-the-3-2-1-backup-strategy-is-the-best/

11. https://www.acronis.com/en-sg/blog/posts/backup-rule/

12. https://www.msp360.com/resources/blog/following-3-2-1-backup-strategy/

13. https://cloudian.com/guides/ransomware-backup/ransomware-backup/

14. https://stonefly.com/blog/3-2-1-vs-3-2-1-1-0-vs-4-3-2-backup-strategies/

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