Backing Up Your Data: Protecting Yourself Against Cyber-Crime

Regular backups ensure peace of mind and give you a recovery strategy, this is vital for your business, but also for you at home.

Cyber-crime is a growing threat to individuals and businesses alike, and it's essential to take steps to protect yourself and your information. In this second seminar in a series of briefings on cyber-security, we will explore the importance of backing up your data and the dangers posed by ransomware attacks.

Backing up your data is a crucial step in ensuring the safety of your personal and professional information. Whether you're dealing with business-critical files or cherished family photos, regular backups can provide peace of mind and reduce the stress of potential data loss. With the increasing frequency of cyber-attacks and computer failures, it's never been more important to have a solid backup plan in place.

The Shadow Brokers are a notorious hacking group that has gained notoriety for selling stolen hacking tools and exploits allegedly stolen from the U.S. National Security Agency. The group has been linked to several high-profile cyber-attacks, including the WannaCry ransomware attack, which affected hundreds of thousands of computers in over 150 countries.

Ransomware is a type of malicious software that encrypts files and demands payment in exchange for the decryption key. These attacks can cause significant disruption to businesses and organizations, leading to the loss of valuable data and the interruption of normal operations. To minimize the risk of a ransomware attack, it's important to have backup procedures in place and regularly update software.

The 3-2-1 backup industry standard procedure is widely recognized as an effective way to ensure data safety. The procedure involves making three copies of data, using two different types of media, and keeping one copy offsite. Keeping a backup offsite is critical to ensuring that data is protected in the event of a physical disaster, such as a fire or flood.

One of the critical components of a robust backup plan is encryption. Encrypting data ensures that it cannot be read without a relevant "key." This can be a password or a physical piece of hardware, such as a trusted platform module (TPM) chip. Encrypting backups can protect sensitive information from theft or loss, and it's essential to encrypt backups that contain critical data.

There are several options available for backing up your data, including cloud-based services such as Backblaze. These services can provide automatic backups with encryption, ensuring that your data is always secure. OneDrive is another option that can backup your PC Documents and Desktop folder, but it's essential to note that not all items on your computer are backed up.

In conclusion, backing up your data is a critical step in safeguarding your personal and professional information. Regular backups provide peace of mind and reduce the stress of potential data loss. By taking the time to create a robust backup strategy and investing in a reliable service, you can ensure that your valuable files and memories are always secure. Protect yourself against cyber-crime and invest in your digital safety today.