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How to Protect Backups from Ransomware: Ransomware has become one of the biggest problems when it comes to keeping data safe. Because ransomware is getting more sophisticated and attacks are happening more often, businesses will need ransomware-specific disaster recovery plans in 2020.
Investing in reliable backups is a good place to start, but many organizations don’t realize that backups also need to be protected from ransomware attacks. Many ransomware attacks work because the malware can stop backup programmes from working, even ones that are built into the operating system. But you can still protect yourself from ransomware by using backups.
As part of a plan to protect against ransomware as a whole, a backup and recovery strategy can help you protect your data and avoid having to pay the ransom by using backup solutions that attackers can’t get to. It can help you get back business-critical data quickly and easily so you can get back to work.
Protect Backups from Ransomware
Use Strong Encryption For All Backups
Encryption is a key part of keeping ransomware away from backups. Using strong encryption protocols makes sure that only people who are supposed to see important data can see it. This gives you peace of mind that your backup data is safe. We suggest encrypting data at every point in its life, including when it is at rest and when it is being sent from one place to another.
Check to see that all third-party apps that touch your data, including your backup solution, encrypt the data both while it’s being sent and while it’s being stored. SSL/TLS encryption while data is in transit and AES-256-bit encryption while data is at rest are the gold standards in the industry.
Secure Access with the Zero Trust Model
- Check that your backup solution supports the Single Authentication Markup Language (SAML) with Okta, Open Authorization (OAuth), Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) and Two-Factor Authentication (2FA), to ensure only authorized users are able to access data and applications at any given time.
- Implement ‘least privilege’ access to the backup service. Prevent unauthorized access by restricting backup/restore requests to company-approved IP addresses. IP “allowlisting” is particularly helpful for the workplaces of today with distributed/hybrid employees.
- Additionally, check that the backup solution is PCI-compliant with robust in-app security practices such as secure SDLC, intrusion detection, secure backup storage servers, and compliance certifications.
- Lastly, don’t forget to enforce a strong password policy.
Test Your Backup and Recovery Process Regularly
You should regularly test your backup and recovery processes to make sure they work as expected and that you can actually get your data back if an attack happens. There are two main types of tests: full system restore and partial file restore. Full system restore restores your entire system from scratch, including the operating system, applications, and data.
Test your system at least once a month, or more often if you make a lot of changes to it. Here are some reasons why backup and recovery testing is important and how to do it. A backup and recovery process that has been tested thoroughly also helps with smooth data recovery, less downtime, and Recovery Time Objective.
Monitor Network Access Patterns
Ransomware usually gets into a network through files that users download by accident or through injection by a bad guy who has access to your network. To avoid injections, you should keep an eye out for strange network activity, like a lot of failed log-ins or log-ins from strange places or at strange times.
There are programmes like SIEM that can help you with this. These programmes watch network activity and can make reports on the fly. Keep in mind, though, that these apps may be too much for smaller businesses, both in terms of the features they offer and the price.
What is a ransomware attack?
Ransomware is a type of malware that gets on your computer and locks down your files, folders, software, and other systems. Once it’s attached to your systems, it encrypts all of your data so you can’t access or use it.
The person or group in charge of the ransomware then sends you a message saying they’ve taken over your files and want a ransom to unlock them. Until you pay the ransom, you won’t be able to get to your files.
Most companies will usually pay the ransom because even a short period of downtime could be disastrous for their business. As shown by the hack of the Colonial Pipeline in the second quarter of 2021, ransoms can range from a few hundred dollars to thousands or even millions of dollars. Since 2019, ransom amounts have gone up by 171%, according to the latest data.
FAQ
Are backups safe from ransomware?
Backups are a critical line of defense against ransomware attacks, but hard drives and external storage can be clunky and inconvenient. Cloud-based backups, while more efficient, can be a target for cybercriminals, too, if not properly secured.
How do I protect my backup data?
- Encrypt backups. Encrypted backup data cannot be used to extort your company. …
- Use third-party key management. …
- Do not store backups as files. …
- Store backups on a different operating system. …
- Use immutable on-premises storage. …
- Create a copy on immutable cloud storage.
What is the 3 2 1 backup rule ransomware?
The 3-2-1 backup strategy is a specific way of storing data. It is designed to prevent data loss in the event of a security breach or natural disaster. According to the 3-2-1 strategy, you should keep three copies of your data, two copies should be on different types of storage, and one copy should be held off site.
Will unplugging your computer stop a ransomware outbreak?
If you suspect an attack, disconnecting as soon as you can can help lessen the damage. The software needs time to encrypt all of your files, so if you disconnect from the network, they won’t be able to get to them all. The next step is to find out what went wrong and why.