Intelligent SME.tech Issue 52 | Page 43

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Implement immutable and air gap backups
Educating employees is of course vital , but even well-trained teams are not infallible , making robust data protection measures equally essential . For instance , cybercriminals frequently target backups to compromise data recovery and business continuity , which is why implementing immutable and air gap backups has become so crucial . Immutable backups are designed to be unchangeable once written , so even if cybercriminals gain access to the backup system , they cannot alter or delete data . Air gap backups , on the other hand , involve physically isolating backup data from the network to prevent any electronic access , achievable through offline storage methods like tape drives or removable media .
Implementing these backup practices enables businesses to enhance their resilience against cyberthreats , ensuring data integrity , security and availability . These strategies offer a powerful step towards maintaining operational continuity and safeguarding business-critical data in the face of potential cyberattacks .
Have a plan in place
Although taking precautionary measures is the first line of defence , it ’ s also wise for small
business leaders to have a plan in place if a cyberattack does happen , and in today ’ s world , this is almost inevitable .
In the event of a data breach , the last thing anyone should do is panic . With a clear and methodical disaster recovery and business continuity plan at the ready , organisations can easily diagnose an issue , respond and recover from the attack , while learning from the experience to be better prepared for next time . This allows businesses to rapidly bounce back from a system failure or outage , reducing downtime and helping them to resume normal operations as quickly as possible .
Cyber complacency is an underlying threat for many small businesses , but the tools are very much there to help companies shore up their defences and achieve peace of mind . Encouraging good cyber hygiene , putting comprehensive software in place and developing a calculated , forwardthinking defence strategy are all vital ways in which organisations can protect their data , reputation and bottom line . Partnering with the right cyber experts can go a long way towards achieving these goals . �

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EDUCATING EMPLOYEES IS OF COURSE VITAL , BUT EVEN WELL- TRAINED TEAMS ARE NOT INFALLIBLE , MAKING ROBUST DATA PROTECTION MEASURES EQUALLY ESSENTIAL .
Intelligent SME . tech
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