Data management strategies are more critical today than ever before. Cybercriminals are notoriously ruthless in accomplishing their goal of accessing and extracting high-value data or disabling essential digital operating systems. Their highly adaptable and innovative nature is leading organizations to change how they manage their data.
For instance, the standard protocol for securing information and data is to perform regular data backups. Regularly backing up data protects information and data from system errors and keeps it out of reach from hackers.
Attacks on Stored Data Increasing
Recent ransomware attacks are forcing data security teams to re-evaluate their data backup processes. In these attacks, threat actors gain access to cloud-based storage environments where old and highly-sensitive data is typically stored.
This is especially alarming for businesses as these critical servers are where most companies keep their most valuable information and data files. Financial records, client histories, essential business process information, personal health information – any data requiring preservation – inevitably end up being housed on a backup server.
Is Centralized Data to Blame?
There’s no doubt that businesses and organizations experience benefits from employing centralized data and cloud-based storage measures, such as a CMS, ERP or MES. However, having a single location for all data to be stored presents unique security risks as well.
These risks include potential data loss in the event of a disaster and increased vulnerability of all data stores to hackers.
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In essence, having a centralized data storage environment is the digital realization of the old adage, “Don’t put all your eggs in one basket.”
Even with extreme care and consideration, accidents may still happen. If all your assets are in one location, a security event can lead to catastrophic results.
Centralized Network & Cloud Security Challenges
Centralized data hosted on cloud servers is certainly convenient for companies and helps to lower the costs for the business. However, they introduce cyber security risks businesses need to be aware of that include:
- Data loss
- API vulnerabilities
- Data misconfigurations from human errors
- Insufficient levels of data access controls.
Further security concerns exist when data backups use centralized storage environments. Fortunately, a segmented approach to backing up data will help safeguard your data stores.
Segmented backups are a good way to effectively put your data “eggs” in “different baskets,” thereby decreasing the impact severity if cybercriminals breach the implemented security controls.
What are Segmented Backups?
So what is a segmented backup? A segmented backup involves breaking your data into smaller, more manageable pieces and storing them in multiple secure locations. Instead of storing all of your business’s critical information in one place, this strategy allows you to segment that data and keep it at numerous sites, thereby providing additional layers of security.
This approach helps you maintain control over your data and information and minimizes the risk of catastrophic data loss due to an unforeseen disaster or cyber attack.
Advantages of Segmented Backups
The advantages of a segmented backup strategy include the following:
- Improved Data Recovery. Since the data is distributed across multiple systems and devices, it is easier to recover data in the event of an attack or a disaster.
- Reduced Security Risk. By breaking the data up and placing it in multiple locations (or “baskets”), you can enhance data security from malicious actors.
- Faster Data Restoration. Segmented backups ensure that the data is much quicker and easier to restore in the event of data leakages.
Segmented Backups with a Hybrid Cloud Environment
Hybrid cloud architectures are digital environments that mix multiple landscapes into one cohesive network. Any combination of on-premise servers, off-premise data centers, and public and private clouds can create a robust hybrid-cloud data protection environment capable of keeping sensitive information secure.
A hybrid cloud model is ideal for creating a data storage environment that can withstand cybercriminal activities more confidently and recover faster from an attack than one built from a centralized cloud-based architecture.
Hybrid Cloud Security Tips
Segmented backups are vital for ensuring hybrid cloud data protection with a hybrid cloud infrastructure. However, there are a few additional security tips you should follow:
- Ensure data is backed up regularly across all environments.
- Use comprehensive access control measures such as multiple-factor authentication verifications.
- Closely monitor all activity for malicious actor detection.
- Understand your system’s risk level with a security audit from a trusted cybersecurity provider.
Redpoint Cybersecurity: Your Elite Hybrid Cloud Computing Security Solutions Providers
A segmented backup approach is an effective way to protect your organization’s data and information against malicious actors. By breaking up the data into smaller pieces and storing them in multiple secure locations, you can reduce security risks while ensuring faster recovery times if something were to happen.
Redpoint Cybersecurity provides elite hybrid cloud security services that can help you review your system’s risk level and determine how to mitigate risk while considering your system requirements and budget. Our advanced solutions help high-risk businesses of all sizes gain peace of mind and safeguard their assets. For more information on our services, please contact our team.