3 2 1copies
The rule that still works
Three copies, two media types, one offsite. Add one immutable copy and ransomware can no longer take your backups with it.
GABCO field practice
- Home
- On Premises Infrastructure
- Backup and disaster recovery
Backups are a promise. Restores keep it.
Almost every firm has backups. Far fewer have restored from them recently. A recovery you have tested, timed and documented is the only kind that counts during a ransomware attack or after a storm.
What it covers
Backup and disaster recovery
3 2 1 design
Three copies of your data, on two types of media, with one offsite.
Immutable copies
Backups that cannot be changed or deleted for a set period, even by an administrator account.
Offsite and cloud replication
Copies held away from the island's single points of failure.
Recovery objectives
How much data you can afford to lose and how fast each system must return, agreed with management.
Restore testing
Scheduled restores of files, servers and whole systems, timed and recorded.
Disaster recovery plan
Step by step recovery for each critical system, with owners and contacts.
- 3 2 1 backup
- Immutable storage
- VMware
- Microsoft Hyper-V
How we do it
Assess
Systems, data and recovery needs reviewed.
Design
Backup and replication built to 3 2 1.
Test
Restores run and timed.
Maintain
Daily checks and regular retesting.
Field notes
Worth knowing
Sept2004
Ivan proved offsite matters
Hurricane Ivan damaged most buildings on Grand Cayman in September 2004. Backups stored in the same building did not help.
Source: Cayman Islands Government
What you receive
- Backup and replication design
- Recovery objectives agreed with management
- Disaster recovery plan
- Restore test records
- Backup monitoring reports
Questions
How often should we test restores?
Test individual files regularly and full system recovery at least annually, and after major changes.
Is cloud backup enough on its own?
It is a strong offsite copy, but restoring large systems over the internet can be slow. A local copy for fast recovery plus an offsite or cloud copy is usually best.
What is an immutable backup?
A backup that cannot be altered or deleted until its retention period ends, which stops ransomware attackers destroying your recovery options.
More on On Premises Infrastructure
Talk to us about backup and disaster recovery
Tell us what you're working on. We'll listen, ask the right questions and recommend a practical next step. No obligation.
info@gabcoenterprises.com+1 345 769 4222