Securing your Data – The Critical Role Backup and Recovery Plays in Data Resilience

The critical importance of backup and recovery in any cyber resilience plan cannot be overstated. In today's rapidly evolving digital landscape, organisations must embrace the concept of cyber resilience and develop a plan that ensures if the unthinkable happens, they can recover.

We have all heard the Mike Tyson quote, "everyone has a plan until they get punched in the face." Well, this holds true for organisations implementing cybersecurity strategies. Much of the focus remains on security measures – but what is the plan should those measures fail? Understanding HOW you would recover – and testing that plan via simulation or testing – is crucial to your business continuity.

Cyber threats are a persistent concern, and they are only growing in momentum and complexity. With the emergence of AI systems, hackers now have a powerful tool at their disposal to increase the odds of their success. But despite being aware of this, and hearing the frequent reports of high-profile hacking incidents, many organisations still lack a clear understanding of how they would respond if faced with a “punch in the face”, and don’t have a solid plan for recovery in place. Worse still, some don’t even have sufficient security in place to meet their business needs.

Indeed, unfortunately for many, operational convenience still often takes precedence over security. For example, many people still use the same password for multiple platforms or opt for single authentication methods because they are easier to remember. Often systems are set up to expedite operations, but without a focus on security. For example, leaving open policies on a firewall for ease of use. This disregard for security not only puts individuals at risk but also compromises the overall cyber security posture of the organisation. Often the worst hacks are a result of lazy security practices, or an individual not taking security seriously – sadly, these are often the times it quickly becomes apparent that the business in question had no plan for recovery.

It goes without saying there are many components to consider when it comes to being cyber resilient, such as prevention, detection, response, adaptation and of course recovery, all of which work together to secure your business. But let’s focus on the critical role of backup and recovery – one of the Australian Government’s Essential 8 key guidelines. Why is this component so important? Well, think of it as having good hospital cover in the event that punch in the face comes!

The importance of prioritising your backup and recovery strategy cannot be overstated, as it is an aspect of business that often receives inadequate attention – but is quite often the one that allows a business to resume operations quickly in the event of an incident.

Even organisations that have embraced Cloud technology require backup and recovery strategies – but often neglect to back up their data. Furthermore, many organisations have never tested the complete restoration of services in the event of a compromise, such as a ransomware attack.

Consider this: If your company were to fall victim to a ransomware attack today, do you have a solid plan in place? Would you have confidence in your ability to recover?

The knowledge that you can successfully bounce back from a disaster and safeguard your vital data and systems is exactly what a reliable backup and recovery solution offers. By creating secure duplicates of crucial data and possessing the capability to restore it swiftly, you can greatly reduce the impact of cyber threats, data loss, technical malfunctions, human errors, and other risks. And perhaps most importantly, you can enjoy a peaceful night's sleep, knowing you have a recovery strategy.

Implementing robust backup and recovery processes is not a set and forget item, however. Having a plan on paper is not enough; it must be put into action and evaluated over time to assess its efficacy.

Backup and Recovery, as part of your cyber resilience plan, necessitates active implementation, continual testing, and having a comprehensive understanding of how to enact a recovery plan. Prioritise your backup and you will enhance your overall security posture – as well as have an insurance policy in place should you need it.