Data backup vital says ISMS.online officer as day nears

Sam Peters, Chief Product Officer at ISMS.online, has highlighted the importance of data backup as World Backup Day approaches, pointing out its significance for both practical and regulatory reasons.

"Backing up your data is not just good practice but also a legal requirement under various data protection regulations such as the GDPR," stated Peters.

He stresses that an effective backup operation for organisations should include a comprehensive strategy to enhance resilience and protect against business loss. This involves creating a robust and managed schedule of backup tasks using specialised software, ensuring sufficient retention levels and predefined recovery times.

Peters cites ISO 27001 as a crucial framework for implementing a superior backup strategy.

"Frameworks, such as ISO 27001, provide valuable guidelines for implementing a best-in-class backup strategy," Peters noted.

"For example, ISO 27001: 2022 Control 8.13 emphasises the need for robust backup policies to ensure data recovery and business continuity, highlighting ownership, secure storage, encryption, and regular testing to meet recovery time objectives."

Highlighting the specifics of the ISO guidelines, Peters noted that they advocate for tailored processes for different data types, considering varied risk levels organisations might encounter during operations. This approach ensures that an organisation's backup strategy is not only comprehensive but also specific to each unique data segment it handles.

Peters urges businesses to reassess their data protection strategies to keep their operations resilient against potential cyber threats.

"On this World Backup day, it is imperative that businesses check that they have the relevant controls and processes in place and review their data backup strategies to ensure that their daily operations and decision-making can continue should they fall foul to a cyber-attack," he advised.