Ransomware has remained one of the most destructive tools used by cybercriminals for years. Attacks of this kind not only paralyze the operations of organizations but can also lead to permanent data loss if the data is not properly secured. An important element of an effective defense strategy against ransomware, and at the same time ensuring business continuity, is proper backup protection.
One of the most effective ways to protect backups is to separate them from the rest of the IT environment (air gap) and store them offline. Thanks to such measures, the data remains out of reach of cybercriminals, even if an attack manages to penetrate the main infrastructure.
What does that actually mean?
Separation
- The backup is located in an environment that is physically or logically isolated from the main IT infrastructure. This may mean storing data on offline media, such as magnetic tapes, that are not connected to the network.
- An alternative is logical isolation, where data is stored on servers or in the cloud with restricted access (only possible through explicitly authorized connections).
Offline storage
- The backup is completely disconnected from the network or systems, preventing ransomware from reaching it.
- Examples include physical media that are stored in safes or backup systems that are automatically disconnected after the backup process is complete.
Why is this important for maintaining business continuity?
Ransomware often attacks not only production files, but also backups stored on the same systems. And if the backup is isolated and/or offline, attackers cannot encrypt or delete it, even if they gain access to the system. This ensures that in the event of an attack, we will be able to recover our data without having to pay a ransom.
Examples of solutions:
- Virtual air gap – clouds such as AWS S3 with immutability or time-based access restrictions.
- Automated backup systems with the ability to schedule the disconnection of backups from the network after the process is complete.
And finally, not quite an air gap solution, but a traditional offline backup method that is still popular thanks to its reliability and resistance to attacks, namely magnetic tape.
Although it may seem like extra effort, securing data in isolated environments is crucial for maintaining business continuity and protecting the organization’s reputation. In an era of increasingly sophisticated attacks, investing in such solutions is not only a sign of responsibility but also of anticipating potential threats and being prepared for their consequences.