Prevention
Prevention and response to ransomware require a comprehensive strategy. It starts with education and awareness: Employees should be informed about the risks and trained in the detection of phishing attempts, which are often the first step in a ransomware attack. Technical controls are also crucial, including regular backups, the integrity and recoverability of which should be tested regularly. In addition, strong security policies and the use of security tools for detection and containment of threats are essential.
โคต๏ธ Backup Strategy
While many certifications prescribe extensive security measures, a crucial component often remains strikingly flexible: the backup strategy. Instead of imposing rigid requirements, institutions like the German Federal Office for Information Security (BSI) and the US National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) encourage companies to develop their own solutions tailored to their individual needs. Among the numerous options, two strategies stand out as shining examples: the 3-2-1 and the 3-2-1-1-0 backup strategy.
- 3 copies of your data: Ensure you have three total copies of your data (1 primary copy and 2 backups).
- 2 different media: Keep the copies on two different types of storage media or systems to minimize the risk of failure.
- 1 Offsite backup: Store a copy of the data at a different location to protect against local disasters (e.g., fire, floods).
๐งโ๐ Backup Variants
To provide you with clear guidance, we present a concise overview of three central backup methods: Offline Backups, Immutable Backups, and Data-Only Backups. Each method offers unique advantages and challenges, from maximum security through physical separation to flexibility and efficiency in data backup. This table serves as a guide to understand the respective characteristics, benefits, and considerations of each strategy, helping you make the optimal choice for securing your irreplaceable data.
- Tape Drives or Offline SANs
- Maximum resilience against encryption
- High overhead (low cost-benefit), therefore often no correct backup rotation in practice
- Manual process, therefore prone to errors
โ Backup Solutions
In today's digital world, protecting and quickly restoring data is more important than ever. Companies of all sizes rely on robust backup solutions to prevent data loss and ensure business continuity. In this context, certain technologies and providers have emerged as leaders. ExaGrid, Veeam, S3 Glacier, and Rubrik each offer unique features that set them apart from other solutions. Here is an overview of their key features and how they help companies manage their data securely and efficiently.
- Landing Zone Architecture: ExaGrid's unique landing zone architecture enables faster backups and restorations by keeping a recent copy of the data uncompressed and ready.
- Adaptive Deduplication: Incorporates a unique deduplication technology that reduces storage requirements and costs while maintaining high performance.