Cloud Backup & Ransomware- Is Cloud Backup Enough?

With the rapid increase in ransomware, cyber-attackers are targeting everyone from multinational enterprises to schools, malls and even Small to Medium-sized Businesses (SMBs). To protect against these attacks, enterprises and even SMBs need to back up their data and cloud backup has made this task fairly easy. However, is backing up to the cloud enough to protect against ransomware? Let’s find out.

Is Cloud Backup Reliable?

To answer this question briefly, yes cloud backup is reliable but it has its limitations. Many businesses have made the switch to cloud backup solutions and while cloud backup is a reliable off-site solution, it should not be the only off-site solution.

This, however, does not mean that cloud backups are not reliable. They are very reliable in many ways but just like any other solutions, they also have their limitations.

For instance, cloud backups can not be backed up or recovered if there is no internet. So, this must be kept in mind when adopting a cloud backup solution.

The 3-2-1 Backup Rule

The well known 3-2-1 backup rule is very famous but experts now suggest that it should be modified a bit and it should change to 3-2-1-1 backup rule. Now, this rule states that there should be at least 3 copies of data in 2 different storage media where 1 of the copy but be stored off-site and 1 should be offline.

Is Cloud Backup Effective Against Ransomware?

Ransomware typically works by encrypting files and other forms of data and hold them hostage until a ransom payment is made by the victim. This payment is usually made in Bitcoins which makes it impossible to trace the cyber-attackers and this is one the reasons why paying these cyber-attackers is not recommended.

One of the biggest benefits of cloud backups is that they are stored off-site, off the business network which gives them an added layer of security. What this means is that ransomware can’t affect the backup files as they are off the network of the company.

This, however, doesn’t necessary mean that cloud backups are immune to ransomware attacks, they too can get infected. So, a recommended approach is to use hybrid cloud backup approach in which 1 copy is also offline in case something happens to cloud backups as well.

Conclusion

Ransomware attacks are growing so rapidly that if businesses don’t act now and protect their data, it might be too late. Getting a cloud backup solution is not enough. In order to ensure reliable protection from ransomware a hybrid cloud backup approach is recommended while also following the modified 3-2-1-1 backup rule.