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In today's corporate world, data processing is very important. This is because customer information, contracts, internal projects and banking data circulate daily in companies.
However, in the blink of an eye, all of this can be lost. Virtual threats are increasingly common and system failures can always happen.
Given this scenario, ensuring the completeness and security of information is extremely necessary.
This is where data backup and recovery , practices to ensure the security and availability of data, even in the face of unexpected situations.
In this article, you will know everything about this topic, from the definition, benefits and best technologies for application.
Good reading!
Data backup and recovery concept
Data backup and recovery are crucial elements in information security strategy , ensuring the integrity and availability of business information in the face of accidental or malicious losses.
In practice, a backup is the copying of data to a safe location separate from the originals. It can be carried out on different devices or on cloud storage services.
Data recovery is the process of restoring information from backup copies in the event of loss, damage or system failure.
Importance and benefits of backups for companies
Both data backup and recovery are essential for the continuity of business operations and mitigation of risks associated with IT disasters.
These are practices that bring several benefits to organizations and guarantee greater peace of mind, especially in a global scenario where data breaches are increasingly common, causing losses for companies.
According to an IBM , the global average cost of a data breach in 2023 was $4.45 million.
Some of the advantages of backups for companies:
- Protection against data loss: hardware failures, human errors, cyber attacks or natural disasters can happen and backup is a way to guarantee access to information;
- Regulatory compliance: many companies need to adhere to specific regulations that require data backup and recovery practices;
- Minimizing downtime: With an effective backup and recovery plan, companies can restore their systems and data quickly, minimizing downtime and associated financial losses;
- Preservation of the company's reputation: loss of data can compromise a company's credibility among its customers and partners; consistent backups help protect the organization's image;
- Improved decision-making: having access to historical data backups can be extremely useful for analysis and strategic decision-making, as well as helping to investigate incidents and prevent future problems.
Backup Types
When it comes to information security, it is crucial to understand the different types of backup that can be used to protect essential data. Each method has its own characteristics. Understand better below:
Full backup
Full backup implies the entire copy of data from a system or device. This type of backup offers the advantage of full data recovery, as all files are copied to the storage location.
However, the time and storage space required to perform a full backup needs to be greater, especially for large volumes of data.
Incremental backup
In this mode, only data that has changed since the last backup is copied, whether complete or incremental. This saves time and storage space . However, it requires a previous backup to work properly.
Differential backup
Finally, differential backup captures changes made since the last full backup, without taking into account backups that were made after it. This approach offers a compromise between full and incremental backup .
Data recovery strategies
In addition to knowing the different types of backups, it is essential to develop an effective data recovery strategy. This will allow the company unexpected information security incidents more easily and ensure the continuity of operations .
Disaster recovery plan
A disaster recovery plan (DRP) is essential in information security management.
Its objective is to detail the actions to be taken in response to incidents that affect business data, such as system failures, cyber attacks, human errors, power outages or natural disasters.
It's like a guide for moments of crisis . Its preparation is based on a prior analysis of possible threats, system vulnerabilities, mapping of information assets, among other measures. A robust DRP includes:
- Identification of critical assets: vital elements of the IT infrastructure that require priority protection must be mapped, such as software , hardware and facilities;
- Definition of objectives: the Recovery Time Objective (RTO) and the Recovery Objective Point (RPO) are established, which determine, respectively, the time to restore services and the maximum amount of data that can be lost without causing severe damage;
- Communication contingency plan: defines how the company will communicate internally and externally during critical incidents, ensuring clear and accurate information;
- Trained team: it is essential that the team is prepared to deal with this situation and put the strategies into practice.
Recovery Tests
But just defining a recovery plan is not enough, periodic tests must be carried out to ensure the effectiveness of the established plan. This process allows the identification of possible failures and involves controlled disaster simulations where the following are validated:
- Restoration procedures : reinstallation of systems and access to backups to ensure that processes are efficient and up to date;
- Response time : Measure performance against established RTO and RPO to ensure that recovery objectives are achievable in practice.
Backup technologies and tools
Once you understand what a backup is and its importance, the question remains: what is the best technology to use right now?
Choosing the ideal solution will depend on the specific needs of each company, such as data volume, budget and security requirements.
But there are several tools available on the market to perform data backup and recovery, from cloud to local storage .
Cloud Solutions
Cloud backup services offer flexibility, scalability, and security .
These solutions enable access to data from anywhere, as long as there is an internet connection, making them a strategic choice for businesses of all sizes.
Google Drive is an example of cloud storage technology.
Local storage
Local storage is carried out on physical devices at the company's headquarters, such as external hard drives or dedicated servers.
This approach allows direct control over backups and generally results in faster recovery times.
However, it is crucial that physical and electronic security measures are implemented to protect devices from damage and theft.
Hybrid
Finally, the hybrid backup strategy, as the name suggests, combines the advantages of the other two modalities .
In this model, critical data can be stored locally for quick access, while copies are sent to the cloud, ensuring additional security against physical failures and the convenience of remote access.
Best practices for data backup and recovery
But how often should you make backups? And are there more security practices to apply? These are also important questions that we will address in this topic.
Data copies to the cloud or other servers are part of an information security , and must be made periodically.
Furthermore, data protection measures
Backup frequency
The organization must establish a regular backup schedule that is appropriate to the volatility and importance of the data stored.
For example, for critical data, it is recommended to perform daily or even real-time backups, while for less important data, backups can take place over a longer period of time.
- Critical data: daily or real-time backup;
- Less critical data: weekly or monthly backup.
But of course, this periodization needs to meet the demands of each company and may vary depending on the security and storage strategy chosen.
Security and encryption
The security of backups is as important as that of the original data. To ensure protection against unauthorized access, it is vital to apply encryption to backup files, both during storage and transmission.
Another interesting action is, if the backups are in local storage, ensuring physical and electronic security measures, such as access passwords and cameras.
And of course, training and raising awareness among all employees about the importance of backups and information security is essential.
Monitoring and alerts
A monitoring and alerting system helps proactively detect backup failures and verify data integrity so that restores are successful.
- Monitoring: checking the integrity of backups after completion;
- Alerts: automatic notifications in case of failures or irregularities.
Skyone guarantees your data safe in the cloud
Now that you know everything about backups, it’s time to put them into practice. And there is nothing better than having a company specialized in the subject to help you.
We, at Skyone, have expertise in information security and cloud computing. We offer complete backup and data recovery solutions, with high security, scalability and reliability.
Our customized advanced backup product allows for longer data retention, simplified access and a world of other possibilities for your business!
Discover how we can boost your business and make you safer!
Conclusion
In this article we understand the concepts of data backup and recovery. We saw that these are essential practices for any company that is concerned about information security and wants to ensure the continuity of its business.
By implementing a backup and recovery plan, companies can protect against a variety of unexpected events, such as cyberattacks and system failures, and minimize the impact on their operations.
It is an effective way to ensure the integrity of important data such as contracts, customer data, financial information and intellectual property.
Whether in the cloud or on local storage, the important thing is to ensure copies of the files so that your business is not harmed!
Read too:
Information security: what it is and how to protect your business data
