This past year, we found customer-hosted data being infiltrated by ransomware attacks at an alarming rate. Even more alarming is the lack of ability to recover from the attack quickly. We’ve gotten to know some attack remediation experts very well as they work with our customers to try to buy back their data. If you aren’t familiar, in a ransomware attack, a malicious actor will encrypt files on your computer systems so you are no longer able to read the data. The data is there, but out of your reach. For a price, anywhere from a few thousand to hundreds of thousands of dollars, the malicious actor will give you the keys to unlock your data. Thankfully, there’s a way to recover from this sort of attack: restore your data from backup. Big BUT, these attackers are smart; in most of the cases we see now, the backups are encrypted. As you plan and review your backup strategy, use the 3-2 -1 Backup Rule to ensure your data is safe and available to you in case of a malicious actor, computer hardware failure, or natural disaster.
3-2-1 Backup Rule to Protect Your Data
3 – Create three copies of your data.
2 – Save the data on at LEAST two different storage solutions.
1 – Store one set of backups in a remote location that’s air-gapped from your network.
Example: 3-2-1 backup Rule of RCC’s Cloud
Here’s the bummer, protecting your data is not simple, cheap, or easy to monitor and maintain. Our datacenter partners build in monitoring solutions that send alerts to a 24/7 staff that is ready to hop on any failures in any of the three backup solutions. If you host your own data in your office or have contracted to a 3rd party host, please work with those folks who built your systems to ensure you have the backups you think you do, and that are happening successfully every day. The best way to test a backup is to do a restore. Ask for a copy of your data as of last night, or two days ago to be put in a temporary location for your review.
The best way to test a backup is to do a restore.
Your data is the life-blood of your business. Please review your backup solution and ensure you have backup systems in place, such as the 3-2-1 Backup Rule that will protect you from all types of data loss.
Questions about Protecting your Data or Cloud Hosting?
As you review your backup plans and computer systems, remember to consider Security Standards and Disaster Recovery. The RCC Cloud can help fuel companies to prepare for compliance and disasters. If you are interested in learning more about RCC Cloud hosting, please contact the RCC Sales Department.
Jason Buetow, IT Department
Jason has been with RCC’s Tech Department since 1998 and is the IT Manager. He lives in Willmar, MN with his wife and four children. He enjoys coaching and watching his kids play hockey.
(This article was originally included in RCC’s Newsletter. You can read the entire newsletter and view other great resources by logging in to our Member Login area. If you are not a member yet, it is easy to register.)