The popularity of cloud backup and recovery services has skyrocketed recently due to the numerous benefits of moving data and applications to the cloud. Cloud-based data backup and recovery solutions are easy to scale and cost-effective, but they’re also prone to security breaches, potential non-compliance, and regulatory requirements due to data protection laws.
Cloud backup and recovery best practices are vital to ensure your data is protected and easily recoverable. Curious to find out more?
Here’s a look at five best practices to help you make the most of cloud backup solutions.
- Gain a Clear Understanding of Your Cloud Backup and Recovery Needs
Gaining clarity on your data backup and recovery needs is one of the most important best practices to keep in mind. A great place to start is by considering the various types of data you want to back up on the cloud. It’s also worth thinking about the frequency at which backups should be performed and how long you’d be comfortable with it being in the recovery phase before it takes a toll on your mission and vision (known as your recovery time objective).
The more cognizant you are of your needs, the more likely you are to select the right cloud backup and recovery service. I recommend discussing your data backup needs with a managed IT service provider—they’ll help you verify what kind of data requires protection and how to recover it quickly in the event of a disaster. It’s also worth discussing your data backup needs with your operational staff, as they’ll be the first to bear the brunt of potential data losses.
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Use Cloud Backups in Tandem With Physical Backups
Another best practice to keep in mind involves the use of multiple backup locations. The idea’s simple—if you’ve invested in cloud backup and recovery solutions, don’t neglect physical backups. Using both cloud-based and physical backup locations will ensure quick business continuity in the event of a disaster.
The key is to use cloud-based and physical backups together—not one or the other. I recommend using multiple removable media, such as external hard drives and USBs, to conduct your off-site data backups. If you’ve sensitive data that you’d prefer to store in a physically secure location such as a vault, you can print it, but this is only practical if the data sets are small.
3.Ask Your Managed IT Service Provider to Audit and Test Cloud Backup and Recovery at Your Firm
It’s tempting to think of cloud backup and recovery solutions as the silver bullet to solve your data management woes, but unfortunately, no technology is impervious to faults. This is why it’s vital to regularly test and audit your cloud backup and recovery services to ensure they’re working properly.
I recommend doing this with the help of a professional IT security partner. They’ll help you track successful backups and monitor the amount of data backed up. They’ll also test the ability of the cloud server your data is backed up on to prevent common cybersecurity threats so that necessary adjustments may be made in advance.
4.Keep Your Staff Up to Date About Your Cloud Backup and Recovery Procedures
Reputable managed IT service providers are well-versed in preventing their clients from being targeted by cyberattacks, but they shouldn’t be your first line of defense. In the event of a data breach, your staff is your first port of call, so make sure you teach them how your cloud backup and recovery procedures work.
I recommend arranging staff training through your IT security partner on everything from spotting malicious attacks to quickly recovering data in the event of a disaster.
5.Harness the Power of Encryption
Encryption is the number one requirement of a solid cloud backup and recovery system. It converts plaintext data into code that can only be deciphered using a key to protect data from unauthorized access.
I recommend choosing cloud backup and recovery solutions with solid default encryption capabilities. If this box isn’t ticked, your data will be in danger, irrespective of how efficient or aesthetically appealing the backup solution is.
If you want to implement cloud backup and recovery best practices at your company, it’s important to work with a reputable IT support and security partner like Foris IT Management.
Foris IT Management is one of the best managed IT service providers in Texas. They provide an array of cloud-based online backup solutions as well as annual cybersecurity training for their clients’ staff. They’re also well-versed in conducting comprehensive network audits and pride themselves on providing frugal yet creative and effective solutions.
Book a free consultation with the Foris IT Management team now to experience some of the best cloud backup and recovery solutions in Texas.
About the Author
Gerald S. is a senior advisor at the United States Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. He has over 15 years of experience in national cloud-based data protection and currently researches the effects of cross-border ransomware attacks on global political influence.