Don’t let your data protection strategy become an April Fool’s joke. Ensure business continuity with a robust BCDR plan.
The Ides of March has passed. Has your data survived? Don’t let your data protection strategy become an April Fool’s joke. If you are not already well on your way to preparing for the worst, now is the time to take action.
In today’s digital landscape, small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) face numerous threats that can disrupt operations and compromise data integrity. Natural disasters, insider threats, and ransomware attacks are just a few of the challenges that can lead to significant data loss and unplanned, operational downtime.
To mitigate these risks, it is crucial for SMBs to adopt a robust Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery (BCDR) practice. One of the most effective strategies within BCDR is the 3-2-1-1-0-0 “Platinum” rule of backups, an enhanced version of the traditional 3-2-1 backup rule, designed to provide comprehensive data protection and ensure business continuity.
Let’s break it down:
- 3 Copies of Data: Maintain three copies of your data – one primary and two backups. This ensures that even if one copy is lost or corrupted, you still have two other copies available for recovery.
- 2 Different Media Types: Store the backups on at least two different types of media, such as internal hard drives, external hard drives, cloud storage, or tapes. This diversification reduces the risk of data loss due to media failure.
- 1 Offsite Copy: Keep at least one backup copy offsite. This could be in a remote data center or cloud storage. Offsite backups protect your data from local disasters such as fires, floods, or theft.
- 1 Offline Copy: Ensure that one backup copy is offline, also known as an air-gapped backup. This means the backup is not connected to any network, making it immune to cyber-attacks and ransomware.
- 0 Errors: Regularly verify your backups to ensure they are error-free and can be restored successfully. This involves testing your recovery process to identify and fix any issues before a real disaster occurs.
- 0 Malware: Implement malware scanning of backup recovery points to ensure that the data you rely on for restoration is free of infection.
By adhering to the 3-2-1-1-0-0 “Platinum” rule, SMBs can significantly enhance their data protection measures and ensure business continuity in the face of various threats. This comprehensive approach not only safeguards critical data but also provides peace of mind, knowing that your business is prepared for any eventuality.
The 3-2-1-1-0-0 rule is a vital component of a robust BCDR strategy. It offers a multi-layered defense against data loss, ensuring that your business can recover quickly and efficiently from any disaster. SMBs that implement this rule will be better equipped to protect their data, maintain operations, and thrive in an increasingly digital world.
If you would like to learn how Keller Schroeder can help you assess, design, implement, and test your backup strategies, contact your Select Account Manager to schedule a meeting with one of our subject matter experts today.
Related Links:
https://www.veeam.com/blog/321-backup-rule.html
https://www.commvault.com/learn/3-2-1-backup-rule
Written By:
Kris Linville
Director, Data Center Solutions
Infrastructure Solutions Group
If you need any assistance with understanding the details within the advisory, understanding your current cybersecurity posture, your preparedness for a breach, or any other cybersecurity topic, we would love to have a discussion with you. Contact us today, and let’s chat about your environment and ways to lower your chances of becoming a victim of cybercrime.
