Five Best Practices for Cloud Data Backups that CISOs Must Adhere to

‘Around 60% of corporate data is stored in the cloud’ – says Exploding Topics. A single breach can compromise a firm’s security and the vast amount of data stored in the cloud. Hence, firms must implement the best cloud data backup practices to protect their most valuable asset against any threat.

As per the same blog,

This article delves into the cloud data backup best practices that firms should adopt to ensure their data security.

Cloud Data Backups Best Practices

1. 3-2-1 Backup Rule

The 3-2-1 Backup Rule ensures that firms don’t lose valuable information if a failure, accident, or disaster occurs. Below is a breakdown of what it entails:

• Three Copies of Data

The rule advises maintaining at least three separate copies of data. This means that there should be two backup copies in addition to the primary data. This redundancy increases the chances of data recovery. This is because it’s unlikely that all copies will be compromised or lost at the same time.

• Two Different Media

It is advisable to keep backups on two different types of storage media. This helps to reduce the risk of losing data due to storage failure.

For instance, if one backup is on a hard drive, another should be on an SSD or a tape drive. This tactic shields against failures that may affect one specific storage type.

• One Offsite Location:

Lastly, at least one copy of their data should be stored offsite, away from the other two. This protects data against local disasters (like fires or floods) that might destroy all local copies. In today’s tech landscape, firms often store the offsite copy in the cloud. It offers not just physical separation but also ease of accessibility and sometimes even automatic syncing.

2. Encryption

This makes it much harder for unauthorized individuals to access the information, which is especially important for sensitive data. It also ensures that even if an outsider gets access to the storage, they wouldn’t be able to use it without the encryption key. This also holds if any unauthorized person intercepts the data while in transit.

Also read: How to Protect Backups from Ransomware

3. Automation

There is always the risk of error in manual tasks. Automating the process of backing up data reduces the chance of these errors occurring.

Automated systems can be scheduled to do backups during slow business times. Then, they are least likely to disrupt network operations. These could be periods of low business activity.

This ensures that backups are done regularly and reliably. At the same time, it also helps to maintain network performance by avoiding heavy data transfers during peak hours.

4. Regular Testing

It is important to frequently check backup procedures to ensure they are functioning correctly. This involves two key steps: verifying that the backup data is complete and uncorrupted. The second step is to confirm that the process of restoring the data from the backup works as expected.

Regularly testing the backup is also very crucial. It ensures that if data is lost or the system fails, the data can be effectively recovered from the backup.

5. Retention Policies

It is important to manage the life cycle of data within a firm per its internal data management requirements and regulatory compliance needs. It involves setting clear guidelines on the duration for keeping backup copies of data.

Also, clear guidelines must be established for how long data backup copies can be stored. This will help to securely delete old backups when they are no longer needed. It also ensures that old and potentially sensitive information is appropriately disposed of. This prevents unauthorized access or data breaches.

6. Scalability

While choosing a cloud backup solution, it’s important to consider scalability. The cloud should be able to work with the increased data as a firm grows.

As a business expands, the volume of data it generates also increases. A scalable cloud backup system can easily handle this growing amount of data without running out of storage space or requiring complex upgrades. This is important because it ensures that the data protection measures can adapt to business needs. The firm will not need to spend significantly extra or face administrative burdens

7. Access Management

Access Management ensures that only people who are allowed can access backup data. This involves using strong controls to check and manage who can access the data. Two important ways to make these controls more secure are:

• Using multi-factor authentication:

This method requires users to provide two or more ways of proving who they are to access the backup data. It makes it harder for unauthorized people to get in.

• Following the principle of least privilege:

This principle involves giving individuals the minimum levels of access—or permissions—needed to perform their job functions. It reduces the risk of accidental or malicious data breaches.

8. Compliance and Legal Considerations

It is important to ensure that cloud backups follow all relevant rules and legal standards. It is especially true for those pertaining to keeping data private and safe.

Firms must store copies of their data in the cloud in a way that doesn’t violate any laws or regulations. This is particularly true for those laws focused on securing and protecting personal or sensitive information.

9. Monitoring and Alerts

Firms must set up monitoring systems to observe the data backup processes. It involves setting up tools that can track the performance and success of data backups. This ensures that everything is operating as it should.

Moreover, it is important to configure alerts for any discrepancies, such as backup failures or other potential problems. This setup is vital because it immediately informs the firm of any issues that might disrupt the backup process. It maintains the integrity and safety of the data being backed up.

10. Vendor Selection

When picking a cloud backup service, firms should choose one that keeps data secure, works reliably, and offers good customer support. Before selecting, thoroughly review the service level agreements (SLAs) provided by the potential provider.

SLAs outline the provider’s promises about the –

• availability of the data,
• how secure the data will be,
• how well the service will perform.

Understanding these commitments ensures that firms handle the data carefully and efficiently.

Conclusion

It is important for any firm to follow cloud data backup best practices to protect their data.

The growing amount of company data stored in the cloud highlights the need for strong backup strategies to guard against data loss and breaches.

The above measures create a comprehensive approach to data security. This allows firms to protect their valuable information assets against any threat.