Data losses are a major problem for businesses, especially when data has not been adequately secure or back-up. Reasons for failures relate to internal system malfunctions, such as a server breakdown, to cybersecurity incidents.
With cybersecurity, ransomware commonly targets backups to prevent companies from restoring them rather than paying a ransom. Therefore, a smart approach to securing data needs to go hand-in-hand with backing up data.
In terms of how best to approach the digital data back-up and retrieval situation, Steven Santamaria, CEO, Folio Photonics outlines some best practices for the business community to consider.
Beginning with why data matters, Santamaria says: “The world’s most valuable resource is data, and it is of utmost importance to properly store, protect, and preserve this resource. The safekeeping of data is essential because it represents the foundation upon which many modern businesses are built, and its loss can have far-reaching consequences for organizations and individuals alike.”
Therefore backing-up data in a suitable manner matters, as Santamaria observes: “As such, ensuring the safety and longevity of data should be a top priority for any entity that relies on this precious resource.”
World Backup Day is a commemorative date celebrated annually by the data industry and technology sector around the world. The World Backup Day highlights the importance of protecting data and keeping systems and computers secure.
With this event, marked on March 31 each year, Santamaria finds: “We are reminded of this, and the criticality of backup as one of the key safety nets against data loss, whether it’s due to technology failures, cyberattacks, or human error.”
How are businesses best to approach the issue. Here Santamaria offers some important advice: “I would offer that the most effective data protection strategy should also incorporate a data storage platform that can be securely archived in an off-site location, with the added benefit of being taken off-line and air-gapped for even greater security.”
He follows this up with: “This means that the storage platform is physically separated from the main network and disconnected from the internet, making it highly resistant to cyber-attacks and other forms of data breaches.”
In conclusion, Santamaria states: “In essence, a well-designed data protection strategy should prioritize both physical and digital security to safeguard critical data and ensure business continuity.”
