Data backups are an incredibly strong cybersecurity tool for small businesses to invest in because a robust data backup service can help prevent data loss and, more importantly, help defend against malicious actors attacking your network. Data backups can even be a strong last line of defense against ransomware if they are implemented correctly, and this could save a business from closing its doors in the event of a successful cybersecurity breach.
Restoring to Previous Data Backups
Data backups will act as a defense against ransomware because a business can restore their network files to a previous point in time before the ransomware was introduced. While this may seem simple enough, there are consequences. A business may lose days’ or weeks’ worth of work depending on when the last restore point is, making some files irrecoverable. However, the alternatives are often shutting down the business or paying the ransom, and small businesses often can’t afford to pay the requested ransom. This means a strong data backup service should be coupled with a cybersecurity plan that takes into account how often your business should backup its data.
Off-Site Backups
To maximize defense against ransomware attacks, small businesses should not settle for backing up important files on premises. Hackers will more often than not code their ransomware to look for accessible data backups and encrypt those too. This makes storing your backups off-site incredibly important because if the backups are not immediately accessible from your network, then malicious actors can’t encrypt it when your network is infected. Small business owners can work with their managed service provider (MSP) to make sure their backups are available when needed yet still out of reach for malicious actors.
Write Once, Read Many
Another cybersecurity feature that strong data backup tools will have to defend against ransomware is a function referred to as write once, read many (WORM). What WORM means is that data backups are stored, or written, once and then files are pulled from that backup, meaning they are read, multiple times. This helps to defend against malicious actors encrypting your backup because the information saved there cannot be rewritten to include the malicious code that has encrypted other data. A business can then safely access their last restore point and get their network up and running as quickly and safely as possible.
Summary
Having your entire business shutdown due to a ransomware attack is a nightmare scenario that small businesses should go to great lengths to avoid, but when the worst-case scenario happens, data backups can be a strong tool to save your business. Regular restore points, off-site backups, and security features like WORM can help ensure your backups are available when you need them and that the cost of restoring your network doesn’t require losing weeks’ worth of work. The Robinett Consulting team knows this can be a stressful situation that requires a lot of care, so if your company needs the right IT consulting to find a backup service that meets your needs, reach out to us today!
