24 Mar Outdated backup systems could leave your business vulnerable
Imagine this: Your business grinds to a halt because your critical files are locked away by scammers. And they’re demanding a ransom for their release.
This is called a ransomware attack, and it’s a growing threat to businesses all around the world.
To understand the risk, let’s break it down. Ransomware is a type of cyber attack where criminals break into your systems and encrypt your data, making it unusable. They’ll then demand payment (often in cryptocurrency) for the key to unlock it.
Unfortunately, paying the ransom isn’t a reliable solution. Even if you comply, there’s no guarantee you’ll get your data back. That’s why a strong backup system is one of the best safety nets you can have.
Backups are copies of your important files and systems, stored separately from your main network. This separation is crucial because if something goes wrong—whether it’s a ransomware attack or even accidental deletion—you can use your backup tools to restore your data and keep your business running.
No matter the size of your business, backups are essential. However, here’s the catch: Not all backup systems are created equal. In fact, recent research shows that many businesses are using outdated backup technology, leaving them exposed to risks even if they think they’re protected.
Older backup systems weren’t designed to handle today’s sophisticated ransomware attacks. As a result, they leave businesses vulnerable in three main ways:
1. Backup data is a target
Ransomware attackers are getting smarter. They know that backups are your last line of defense, so they target them directly. This means that if your backup system isn’t designed to protect against these attacks, your safety net could be cut away when you need it most.
2. Lack of encryption
Encryption is a way of scrambling your data so only authorized people can access it. Without this protection, scammers can tamper with your backup data—yet nearly a third of businesses report that their backup data isn’t encrypted.
3. Failed backups
It can be difficult to restore lost data with older systems, and this is where they often fail. Imagine this scenario: Your business is recovering from an attack, only to find out that your backup didn’t work. The result? Long downtimes, expensive repair efforts, and potentially devastating financial losses.
So, how can you fight back against ransomware threats? It starts with rethinking your approach to backups.
Modern solutions like immutable storage offer the strongest protection against ransomware attacks. With immutable storage, your backup data remains unaltered and undeletable, no matter what.
This technology follows the Zero Trust model, which assumes that no one can be trusted. Because of this, it validates every access request and strictly limits permissions, ensuring your important business data stays safe even if an attacker breaches your system.
Ransomware attacks are not going away. If anything, they’re getting smarter and even more common. That’s why now is the time to act. Make sure your backup system is solid before it’s too late.
Not sure where to start? That’s where we come in. Get in touch today.