Data backup is not just a fallback anymore, it's key to data protection and cybersecurity. The rise in cyber threats is now a major risk for global IT environments which poses pressure both on IT teams and business owners.
(https://c3tech.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/iStock-1088363552.jpg)
To address this, Info-Tech Research Group has created a new industry blueprint that aims to assist businesses to modernize their data protection strategies.
As data attacks increase in sophistication, backups are becoming more vulnerable, and vendors have been forced to upgrade their software to protect data from these malicious threats. With these changes, many backup and recovery companies now refer to themselves as data protection (DP) platforms, making it difficult for IT teams to stay updated with the new terminology and features.
According to Darryl Levesque, principal research advisor at Info-Tech Research Group, data backup is outdated with newer technologies making backup redundant. The company's blueprint encourages understanding where backup stops and data protection begins, given the evolving products of various vendors.
Info-Tech recommends that technology leaders keep up with the changes in the backup marketplace, determining which product works best for their environment, and recognizing which functions suit the appropriate needs. The firm also emphasizes additional tools in the data protection armory rather than as replacements for existing tools.
Organizations should also consider using Continuous Data Protection (CDP), a data protection method that backs up information without schedules, and the Zero Trust Framework, which leverages the principle of least privilege for backup and recovery.
New features such as air gapping, DR orchestration, threat prevention & detection, all the other cloud, and cloud to cloud have the potential to reduce data loss risk and enhance data protection. Such features can speed up the recovery process in case of a disaster and provide more confidence in offsite data protection.
With these new features, the tasks that can now be performed have not only been enhanced but also expanded. To access more information on these features, download the complete Data Backup Moves Closer to Data Protection blueprint.
Info-Tech Research Group is an impartial IT research and advisory firm providing relevant resources for CIOs and IT leaders to make informed decisions. They've assisted IT teams for over 25 years with everything needed, from practical resources to analyst guidance, ensuring measurable outcomes.
The significance of backup and restore has increased, and it's now considered as a crucial part of cybersecurity incident response planning. It's no longer treated as a separate infrastructure component that supposedly works. Since data is an essential resource, it must be protected with a dependable backup solution.
Not only should the solution offer flexibility to build immutability capabilities, but it should also allow you to verify backup jobs to guarantee data recovery and detect any malicious code. Therefore, I believe that reliable backup should serve as your final resort for safeguarding your data.
IT leads must be proactive in protecting theirs and customers' data. First, it's important to implement encryption techniques for data at rest and in transit. This means that even if the data is intercepted, it would be unreadable without the proper keys.
Regular updates and patches to software are key to maintaining security. Many breaches occur due to known vulnerabilities that have not been addressed. IT leaders also need to ensure that all staff members is trained on security best practises, including recognizing phishing attacks, as this is often the weakest link in security.
Another critical step is establishing a comprehensive data backup plan. This means creating redundancies so that in the event of an incident, you can restore important data without significant downtime. Additionally, compliance with GDPR or similar regulations is not just a legal obligation but also enhances customer trust.
Choosing the right hosting provider should not be overlooked. They must offer strong security features, such as firewalls and DDoS protection. Finally, regular security audits and risk assessments help identify and rectify vulnerabilities. In conclusion, prioritizing data protection is vital for building a secure and trustworthy digital presence.
Data protection involves various strategies and techniques to safeguard sensitive information. Here are some examples:
1. Encryption: This technique converts data into a coded format that can only be read by someone with the correct decryption key. For instance, using AES (Advanced Encryption Standard) for encrypting files and communications.
2. Access Controls: Implementing strict access control measures ensures that only authorized personnel can access certain data. This might include using role-based access control (RBAC) systems.
3. Data Masking: This technique obfuscates specific data within a database to protect it from unauthorized access. An example would be replacing sensitive information, like Social Security numbers, with fictional characters.
4. Regular Backups: Regularly backing up data ensures that copies of important information are available in case of data loss due to hardware failure or cyberattacks.
5. Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): This security measure requires users to provide two forms of identification before accessing sensitive data, such as a password and a text message code.
6. Firewalls: Utilizing firewalls helps block unauthorized access to networks and devices, providing a barrier between secure internal networks and untrusted external networks.
7. Data Loss Prevention (DLP): DLP solutions monitor and control data transfers to prevent potential leaks or unauthorized sharing of sensitive information.
8. Compliance with Regulations: Adhering to data protection laws like GDPR, HIPAA, or CCPA ensures that organizations follow legal requirements for data handling and protection.
9. Security Audits: Conducting regular security audits can help identify vulnerabilities in data protection measures and address them promptly.
10. Incident Response Plans: Having a clear plan in place for how to respond to data breaches or security incidents ensures quick action to mitigate damage.
The shift towards data protection platforms is not just a trend; it's a necessity. Continuous Data Protection and the Zero Trust approach should be standard practice, yet many still operate with a false sense of security. If your strategy doesn't incorporate these advanced features, you're setting your organization up for failure.