Navigating The Complexities Of Data Backups In A Hybrid World

With hybrid IT infrastructures and growing data volumes, data today is scattered across more locations than ever before, often moving between on-premises systems and the cloud. This shift has brought about complex and costly challenges for both the management and protection of an organisation’s data.

Not only is it exposed to growing cyber threats; employees, despite their best intentions, can also accidentally delete or alter it, adding to the risk.

Research from Forrester highlights the magnitude of the issue. Currently, over half of workloads in small and medium-sizes businesses (SMB) run in the public cloud. Despite this reliance on cloud services, nearly three-quarters of these businesses admit they lack the capability or capacity to train their employees on the growing complexities of cloud environments.

This skills gap leaves them vulnerable to a range of security threats. Ransomware is a significant concern: According to Statista, there were over 317 million ransomware attempts globally in 2023 alone. These attempts often target data backups, forcing organisations to pay ransoms or face severe consequences, such as data loss, reputational damage and financial losses.

The Importance Of Reliable Backups

Backups are essential in defending against ransomware and other attacks. Global compliance standards frequently mandate regular backups, and these requirements are becoming increasingly stringent. However, creating and maintaining effective backups is challenging, particularly for businesses relying on hybrid IT systems.

A robust data protection and disaster recovery strategy is crucial but can be difficult to maintain in a complex and fast changing environment. Businesses must safeguard their data wherever it resides, including physical servers, mobile devices, remote users, collaboration tools and the cloud. Backing up this multifaceted landscape often requires tools from numerous vendors, complicating the process and increasing costs.

The rapid implementation of new cloud services can exacerbate these issues. Often, performance is prioritised over security. Additionally, businesses may choose cheaper, less comprehensive backup solutions to cover each data environment. While this approach might seem cost-effective initially, it can lead to higher costs and complexity in the long run.

Many businesses mistakenly believe that cloud providers handle all backup needs, but this is usually not the case.

Cloud providers typically do not offer historical data storage or full data protection and recovery; instead, these responsibilities fall on the customer. Moreover, when cloud data is compromised, backups hosted in the same place as the original data will also be affected. Cloud customers must therefore implement additional data protection measures that meet their requirements in terms of recovery times and recovery points.

Effective Backup Strategies

To streamline backup processes and reduce the administrative burden, organisations should seek a single solution that allows for multiple backups across all data environments. The first step is to conduct a careful audit to understand where data resides and how it is currently backed up. Ideally, a comprehensive, one-stop backup platform should cover on-premises servers, end devices, SaaS solutions and the public cloud. This integrated approach makes backup processes more efficient and manageable, while providing better transparency across the entire organisation.

A solid backup and recovery strategy should address a range of possible scenarios, from file loss to system outages to ransomware attacks. This includes the ability to quickly set up a new production environment in case of a disaster to avoid costly downtime. Backups must be immutable, verified for integrity and tested for usability – and stored in separate locations to prevent infection with malware or ransomware.

Cost considerations are also crucial. Backup solutions which offer data protection no matter where the data lives can be more cost-effective and the spend more predictable. These solutions offer the flexibility to evolve with changing requirements as data moves from on-premises, to the cloud, SaaS and endpoints.

Ultimately, all businesses, regardless of size or industry, are at risk of ransomware and infected backups. Hackers do not discriminate, so organisations must assume they are at risk and prepare accordingly. With the constant threat of cyberattacks looming, a single backup strategy is no longer sufficient.

Only a flexible, multi-backup approach covering the entire IT environment can reliably protect businesses against the myriad risks they face.

Brent Torre is Product Executive, Backup & Disaster Recovery at Kaseya

Image: mesh cube

You Might Also Read:

What Is CloudSecOps?:


If you like this website and use the comprehensive 7,000-plus service supplier Directory, you can get unrestricted access, including the exclusive in-depth Directors Report series, by signing up for a Premium Subscription.

  • Individual £5 per month or £50 per year. Sign Up
  • Multi-User, Corporate & Library Accounts Available on Request

Cyber Security Intelligence: Captured Organised & Accessible


 

« Breach Exposes Millions Of Mobile Numbers To Phishing Attacks
Webinar: Generative AI and Security »

CyberSecurity Jobsite
Check Point

Directory of Suppliers

NordLayer

NordLayer

NordLayer is an adaptive network access security solution for modern businesses — from the world’s most trusted cybersecurity brand, Nord Security. 

XYPRO Technology

XYPRO Technology

XYPRO is the market leader in HPE Non-Stop Security, Risk Management and Compliance.

ManageEngine

ManageEngine

As the IT management division of Zoho Corporation, ManageEngine prioritizes flexible solutions that work for all businesses, regardless of size or budget.

ZenGRC

ZenGRC

ZenGRC (formerly Reciprocity) is a leader in the GRC SaaS landscape, offering robust and intuitive products designed to make compliance straightforward and efficient.

Syxsense

Syxsense

Syxsense brings together endpoint management and security for greater efficiency and collaboration between IT management and security teams.

Radware

Radware

Radware is a global leader of application delivery and cyber security solutions for virtual, cloud and software defined data centers.

SiteLock

SiteLock

SiteLock is a global leader in website security solutions. We provide affordable, cybersecurity software solutions designed to allow small to midsize businesses to operate without fear of an attack.

National Defense Industry Association (NDIA) - USA

National Defense Industry Association (NDIA) - USA

The National Defense Industrial Association Cyber Division contributes to US national security by promoting interaction between the cyber defense industry, government and military.

Cybersecurity Credentials Collaborative (C3)

Cybersecurity Credentials Collaborative (C3)

C3 provides a forum for collaboration among vendor-neutral information security and privacy and related IT disciplines certification bodies.

NLnet Labs

NLnet Labs

NLnet Labs is a not-for-profit foundation with a long heritage in research and development, Internet architecture and governance, as well as security in the area of DNS and inter-domain routing.

authUSB

authUSB

authUSB Safe Door is a tool that provides secure access to the content of USB devices that circulate in organizations.

R2S Technologies

R2S Technologies

R2S can help you implement a cyber security framework to ensure your business is more resilient towards the growing threat of cyber crime. We provide Web and Mobile Application Security Assessment..

Nuspire

Nuspire

Nuspire provide services to protect your network with best-in-class managed detection and response, allowing you to stay focused on managing your business.

Dualog

Dualog

Dualog provides a maritime digital platform which ensures that services work reliably and securely onboard.

Highland Capital Partners

Highland Capital Partners

Highland Capital Partners is an early stage venture capital firm focused on category-defining businesses in consumer and enterprise technology, including cybersecurity.

Start Left® Security

Start Left® Security

From Posture to Performance—The System That Improves How Software Gets Built.

eaziSecurity

eaziSecurity

eaziSecurity has built an eco-system of technology and services that bring enterprise scale security solutions to the SME marketplace.

Trenton Systems

Trenton Systems

Trenton Systems are committed to providing high-performance computing solutions to customers running mission-critical applications in harsh settings worldwide and across various industries.

OX Security

OX Security

OX is a DevOps software supply chain security solution. Teams can verify the integrity and security of every artifact using a pipeline bill of materials (PBOM).

ZX Security

ZX Security

ZX Security is a New Zealand owned and operated cyber security consultancy.

Cambridge International Systems

Cambridge International Systems

For more than 25 years, Cambridge has been fighting bad actors in both the cyber and physical worlds.