IT fails data recovery despite backup strategy

The annual survey by leading manufacturer of software-free, 256-bit AES XTS hardware-encrypted USB drives, Apricorn (www.apricorn.com) reveals that 99% of surveyed IT decision makers have a backup strategies in place, but just over a quarter (26%) admit that they are unable to fully restore all data/documents when recovering from a backup.  

Almost 60% of those surveyed say that they have backups in place via an automated backup to a central repository only.  “This is concerning, as using the cloud (or any storage repository) as the sole backup location risks costly business disruption if a business suffers a cyber-attack or a technical issue that renders that service or their data unavailable,” says Jon Fielding, Managing Director, EMEA, Apricorn.

“Backups are essential, but backups that work are even more so.  Organizations need to embrace the ‘3-2-1 rule’: have three copies of data, on two different media, one of which is offsite.  This appears to have been heeded by some, given the use of both personal and central backups, but there’s still work to be done.  A rounded backup strategy that has encryption at its core plays to the strengths of each storage location within the process.  However, the recovery process must be rigorously and regularly tested to ensure full data restoration can be achieved in the event of a breach.”

According to 15% of respondents, the biggest problem with implementing a cyber security plan was not having a sufficiently robust backup in place to allow rapid recovery from any attack.  “Again, this is worrying since over 70% have had to recover data from a backup and over a quarter (26%) suffered data loss, with respondents admitting to only being able to recover some data/documents or being unsuccessful because they didn’t have robust backup processes in place,” continues Fielding.

“Over 60% of respondents still expect their mobile/remote workers to expose them to the risk of a data breach.  With the risks so high, one of the most straightforward ways to create local, offline backups is to store copies of critical files on high-capacity external encrypted hard drives and USBs.  These can be disconnected from the network to create an air gap between information and threat providing employees with the capability to recover data quickly and locally if needs be, as well as being able to securely move data whilst offline.”

Conducted by Vanson Bourne, independent specialist in market research for the technology sector on behalf of Apricorn, the research questioned senior IT decision makers from enterprise organisations across a variety of sectors including financial services, IT, manufacturing, business and professional services.