How To Keep Your Backup Data Secure

Backups are crucial for protecting data, and they should also be kept secure and available whenever needed. It’s not known when disaster will strike; and when it does, it happens within no time. It’s crucial to protect the data from things like fire, floods, cyberattacks, and any other disaster always.

Many security breaches are associated with poor management of data backups. Putting up a solid backup infrastructure and a fallback plan in case of any security breach should be the number one consideration for every organization. Read through this article and browse here to learn how to keep data backup secure.

  1. Make Use Of Encryption

Encryption is done by codifying information and distributing a set number of keys to authorized users to decode the files. It may not serve you much if you lose the keys, so you need to identify a safe place to keep them.

 

  1. Verify The Backup

Ensure to verify by restoring data from the backup. Backup verification should be a regular activity during system maintenance. It’s also good practice to regularly confirm all media devices used for the backup.

 

  1. Protect Your Backups Using Passwords

Have your backup data password protected. As much as passwords may be interfered with, they allow some level of security because they restrain access to the data. Come up with a strong password that has a mixture of numbers and symbols, as well as uppercase and lowercase letters.

 

  1. Assign Duties

It’s good practice to integrate storage and backup security measures with those that secure other infrastructure within the company. Even though it may be the responsibility of the storage team to be in charge of backup, you should have different people assigned specific duties. For instance, someone should be responsible for authorizing access and another for execution.

 

  1. Have Backup Systems As Part Of Your Disaster Recovery Strategy

Backup systems must be a part of your disaster recovery plan. They could be destroyed in the event of a cyberattack, theft, or floods. Therefore, there should be a plan detailing what will be done to recover the backup in case of any disaster. 

 

  1. Carefully Select Your Storage Location

Find a secure place like a lockable cabinet or closet to store the server containing your backups. Local storage is also preferable where you keep your backup within the same premises but not near your office. This works best, especially when there’s an on-site disaster.

 

  1. Adhere To The 3-2-1 Rule

Disasters like floods, fires, and other natural occurrences could destroy your physical files. Following the 3-2-1 rule can be the most profitable way out. The rule means that an organization should have three recent backup copies, with two copies stored locally in different mediums and one copy stored off-site with a cloud storage provider that complies with industry regulations and is compatible with the encryption techniques.

 

  1. Be Consistent

There are different backup methods, and an organization is at liberty to use any that best works for them. However, you have to be consistent with the backup method you choose. Having different backup methods on other datasets to save storage space or money may be disastrous in the long run. It may be challenging to remember which method was used and for which dataset during restoration after a disaster. 

When selecting a backup strategy, follow the KISS rule—keep it simple and straightforward. That way, you won’t have any challenges in remembering any of the procedures.

 

  1. Have Restrictions On Backup Access Rights

Ensure that backup access rights are assigned only to the team members who should have them, especially those in the data security department. Note that the more people with access to the backup, the greater the risk of damage or compromise. It’s advisable to assign rights to the specific team members in advance so they can act fast whenever any data restoration is required.

 

  1. Conduct A Risk Analysis Of The Backup Process

It’s the responsibility of the managers to assess each step of the backup method to check for security weaknesses. Check whether there could be copies of backup tapes generated secretly or if they’re left in the open. Such deficiencies will affect backup done in cleartext.

 

Conclusion

Bearing in mind that backup is critical for an organization, it’s necessary to regularly audit the methods used so that gaps are identified and fixed. It may be a small loophole that you think may not cause any harm to overlook but may cost you dearly when you have to fix it. Consider the ideas mentioned here as you plan and prepare.