Backups are the ultimate defense against data-destructive events, hardware failures, and ransomware extortion. Implementing the 3-2-1 rule guarantees restoration capacity.
1. The 3-2-1 Strategy
- 3 copies of your data: Keep one primary copy and at least two separate backup copies.
- 2 different media types: Store backups on different devices (e.g. one on local NAS, one on external hard drive) to prevent single-point failures.
- 1 copy offsite: Keep at least one backup copy in a separate physical location or secure cloud vault.
2. Ransomware Protection: Immutable Backups
Modern ransomware actively searches local networks for backups to encrypt them. To prevent this, implement Offline (Air-Gapped) or Immutable (WORM) cloud backups, which cannot be modified or deleted for a set timeframe.