Businesses face many kinds of online dangers today. Of all these, the risk of ransomware attacks is among the worst. Hackers will target data and encrypt it, paralyzing your network. Then, they will demand a hefty ransom in exchange for the release of your data. Can you just imagine all the financial and reputational damage this would entail? To mitigate this risk, businesses in San Francisco, CA, must have a ransomware-resistant backup strategy.

Key Components of a Ransomware-Resistant Backup Plan

There are several ways to create a ransomware-resistant backup strategy for your business. The most suitable solution would rely on several factors, such as the nature and unique needs of your business. But surely, you want to make your backup strategy as foolproof as possible. In that case, the following elements are non-negotiables.

Follow the 3-2-1 Rule

Deemed as a cornerstone of effective data protection, the 3-2-1 rule advocates that you keep:

• Three copies of your data (original, plus two backups)

• Two different storage types (local disks and cloud storage)

• One off-site copy (for safeguarding against physical disasters)

Diversifying your backups in this manner will dramatically reduce the chances that every single copy of your data would be compromised in case of a ransomware attack.  

Leverage Data Immutability

Data immutability guarantees that backup files, once they are written, can no longer be modified or deleted. Most modern ransomware-resistant backup solutions offer immutable storage, where backups are locked for a preset period. This feature prevents ransomware from encrypting or deleting backups, ensuring clean recovery points.

Implement Air Gapping

Air-gapping physically isolates a backup from the primary network, making it inaccessible to malware. This can involve storing backups on offline devices, such as external hard drives or tape drives, or utilizing cloud storage solutions with strict access controls. While air-gapping adds complexity, it also provides a critical layer of protection against ransomware’s reach.

Utilize Gold Images

Gold images are pristine, pre-configured system snapshots that can be rapidly deployed to restore compromised systems. These images should include essential operating systems, applications, and configurations. Regularly updating gold images ensures you have a reliable, ransomware-free baseline to restore operations quickly.

Best Practices for a Ransomware-Resistant Backup Strategy

In addition to injecting the above components into the backup plan, it is also vital for businesses to conduct regular drills to check the integrity of the backups. These checks also keep teams on their toes and ensure they are ready to execute data recovery procedures after a ransomware attack — anytime it happens.

Equally critical is the practice of limiting access control to the absolute minimum. There also has to be multi-factor authentication and reliable encryption methods in use to secure these backups. Combining all these techniques is not exactly a common skill. Therefore, to protect the security of your organization, you need to enlist the assistance of a certified expert. In other words, it is a smart idea to partner with a reputable managed services provider.  

An MSP can help you design and execute a robust ransomware-resistant backup plan for your business. Ultimately, you can ensure business continuity and avoid costly disruptions. To learn more about backup and data recovery, we invite you to watch our latest webinar, Common Pitfalls in Cybersecurity Insurance Applications by clicking the link. And if you have further questions about BDR, send us a message and we'll be right over for a consultation!

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