Ransomware is a cyber extortion tool and Wiper* malware is just plain malicious and destructive! Both are an ever present, major threat to businesses because they are designed to destroy your most critical business asset, your data.
One of the fundamental challenges in dealing with ransomware and Wiper threats is that they’re difficult to detect and contain because, unlike other forms of malware, which often make their presence known, ransomwares and Wipers are designed to work in the background undetected.
Prevention is better than cure
To properly protect against these threats SMEs need a 2 pronged approach:
- Strong IT Security
Step 1 is to implement comprehensive measures to prevent cyber-attacks from succeeding, including strong anti-malware on servers and endpoints, routine patching, endpoint detection and response, firewalls and multifactor authentication, preferably from market leading security vendors with a proven track record for defending against ever evolving threats.
But prevention measures, no matter how strong, are not enough.
- Dependable Backup System
Step 2 is to implement robust remediation measures in the form of a powerful and reliable Backup and Recovery System for servers and data – for when the prevention measures fail, as they do from time to time!
Backup – the Ultimate Defence Against Ransomware and Wipers
While backups can’t prevent an attack, a properly configured Backup System will provide a lifeline for restoring data if it is compromised or destroyed by ransomware or Wiper malware—or any other type of attack.
Having a fully functional, fast and dependable Backup System that:
- is isolated from your main network and has separate Administration credentials,
- can back up all your data (and servers) frequently and reliably,
- can replicate backups off-site or onto removeable media,
- has features that can assure that those backups can be recovered in a timely manner when needed,
- offers flexible options for restoring those backups,
Why Arcserve?
There are many Backup solutions on the market from many reputable vendors, but, in our view, Arcserve’s unique combination of functionality, performance, flexibility and most importantly, reliability, makes it the best choice for SMEs.
It is a true enterprise class Backup solution and it comes at an SME price point.
Here are just some of Arcserve’s capabilities that make it the best defence against Ransomware and Wipers for SMEs:
- Ability to backup all types of servers and data
Physical and Virtual servers, VMware and Hyper-V, Windows and Linux, File Servers, NAS, SAN, Unix, Free BSD, AIX, HP-UX, Solaris, SAP R/3, SAP HANA, Oracle, SQL Server, Active Directory, Exchange, SharePoint and MS365.
- Assured Recovery
Automated testing of backups to confirm recoverability.
- Global De-duplication and Compression
Arcserve’s Global De-dupe (and data compression) capability provides high data reduction rates for backup files, up to 90% to 95% in some cases.
This reduces the size of backup files and reduces data transmission times and bandwidth requirements when copying backups to both local and, particularly, remote storage locations.
It also greatly reduces the storage requirements for backups, lowering the costs of your Backup system.
- Unparalleled Recovery Options
Arcserve can back up any type of server (Physical Servers, VMware Virtual Servers and Hyper-V Virtual Servers) and, Arcserve offers ultimate flexibility in how and where those backups can be restored – e.g., a VMware VM, Hyper-V VM or physical server can be restored to a VMware host, a Hyper-V host or a physical host or any combination thereof – P2P, V2V, V2P.
- Advanced Rapid Recovery Capabilities
Arcserve offers multiple rapid recovery techniques for reducing Restore Times, including Instant VM, Virtual Standby and full High Availability for mission critical applications.
Arcserve also offers Granular Restore capabilities.
- Backup Storage Protection
Ransomware attacks often will seek to destroy backups to prevent recovery.
Arcserve offers multiple options for protecting stored backups, including ‘Air Gapped storage and Immutable Storage options.
Final Takeaway
The continued ‘success’ of ransomware and Wiper malware attacks is a stark reminder of the dangers businesses face in protecting their data.
A solid, properly architected, well-managed Backup solution is the key to securing your data against these threats.
No matter what tactics cybercriminals may use, a properly installed and maintained, robust backup and recovery solution like Arcserve will keep your data assets secure.
KadecIT’s experts can help you to architect and build your data defences using Arcserve’s market leading backup solution.
Please give us a call on 1300 106 280 for more details.