In today’s data-driven world where every click, swipe and tap generates a trail of data, the safeguarding of information is paramount. It’s no longer a case of paying a ransom, but rather defending against attacks by maintaining the hygiene of data, akin to the digital flossing of your information, writes Ian Engelbrecht, System Engineering Manager at Veeam Software.

From smartphones that allow us to stay connected while on the go, to the Internet of Things (IoT) seamlessly merging with our homes, technology has become an inseparable part of our daily existence, intertwining our every action and choice. However, as it has become more pervasive, it has presented an equally great challenge - mitigating the surge of cyberattacks.  

In recent years, cyberattacks have become more than just an occasional threat to the security of our data. They have become the norm and represent a constant shadow lurking in the depths of the digital underworld. 

As we become increasingly dependent on digital technology for communication, commerce, critical infrastructure and data security, the risks posed by cyberattacks have grown exponentially. In the business world, cyberattacks have taken centre stage and are a reminder of our inherent vulnerability.

This conundrum raises an important question: how do we adapt to a world where cyberattacks have become not just an exception, but an expectation? The answer to this lies in understanding that cyber resilience is not just a nice to have, but an essential criterion for business continuity. 

Just as personal hygiene shields us from diseases and illnesses, digital or data hygiene plays a vital role in preserving the integrity of sensitive data, and shields organisations against cybercriminals and ransomware attacks. 

The relentless rise in ransomware attacks has put the industry in a defensive position in the constant war against these threats. This as the Veeam Data Protection Trends Report 2023 unveils a 9% surge in cyberattacks, with 85% of organisations experiencing at least one attack over the past year, compared to 76% the previous year.   

Unfortunately, no organisation, regardless of its security precautions, is entirely immune to attacks. However, to increase resilience against attackers and ensure minimal damage and disruptions to business operations, it's critical to promote data resiliency throughout an organisation. For organisations to maintain resilience in the face of impending attacks, they must put thorough measures into place that can be implemented both before and after an attack, including swift and reliable recovery procedures. 

While many rely on cyber insurance, insights gathered in the Veeam Ransomware Trends Report 2023 indicate that it is becoming increasingly expensive and difficult to acquire, with 21% of organisations noting that ransomware insurance is now excluded from their policies; and does not guarantee that crucial data can be recovered in the event of a successful ransomware attack, with a quarter of those who paid unable to recover their data.

To mitigate this risk, an incident response playbook is an essential component in safeguarding business resilience and continuity, and aids in more effective preparation for the inevitable, regardless of the attack’s outcome. It should encompass various scenarios and protocols to be followed, include regular updates, and must not be treated as a one-time effort. 

The most important element of an incident response playbook is an immutable backup, and while the Veeam Ransomware Trends Report 2023 adds that 87% of organisations have a risk management program in place that drives their security strategy, only 35% believe that their program is working effectively. 

Alarmingly, only 30% of organisations test their backups, with some going almost two years without testing these backups. This lack of diligence leaves them ill-prepared to successfully recover and get on their feet post-attack.

Clean backup copies that include clean data that is immutable against attacks and does not contain any malicious code, and recurring verification to ensure that backups are recoverable, are the two most common playbook elements in preparation of a ransomware protection plan. 

Robust backup and recovery strategies play a crucial role in mitigating data loss after a successful attack. Consequently, it is essential for organisations to regularly test the efficacy of their backups and processes at least once a week to ensure the recoverability of business-critical data. Additionally, implementing multi-person authentication measures internally is vital to prevent the unauthorised deletion of backups by a lone individual.  

The year-on-year increase in cyberattacks is worrying, to say the least, and today, it’s no longer a case of if or when a ransomware attack will happen but how often. Simply put, an immutable and therefore secure backup is the only alternative way to mitigate the consequences of an attack like having to pay a ransom. Having all measures in place to strengthen resiliency and reliable recovery are the first, and most important steps in warding off a successful attack.