The Growing Threat of Malware Attacks
Cyber attacks like hacking and malware have surged in recent years. What was once a nuisance has evolved into a significant threat to organizations and governments. However, businesses can mitigate or even prevent the damage caused by these attacks by implementing strong cybersecurity measures and setting up a robust backup system.
How Malware Infections Begin
Many attacks start with something as simple as an email or a file download. Once an email containing malware is opened, or an infected file is accessed, the attack is initiated. Recently, Sytex assisted two separate customers in recovering from malware encryption after they were hacked.
Essential Steps to Protect Your Business
Following these four essential steps can reduce the risk of hacking and malware attacks. While these steps won’t guarantee complete immunity, they can minimize disruption, data loss, and downtime.
1. Set Up a Secure Backup System
A reliable backup system ensures data recovery after an attack. Use a combination of cloud-based and on-site storage to safeguard your data.
2. Keep Software and Systems Updated
Regularly updating all programs and operating systems reduces vulnerabilities that cybercriminals exploit.
3. Use Advanced Antivirus Protection
Invest in antivirus software with Crypto Guard and Tamper Protection to block malware threats effectively.
4. Maintain a Strong Firewall
A well-configured firewall prevents unauthorized access to your network and enhances overall security.
Setting Up a Safe Backup System
Why Backups Matter
Backups are essential for businesses to recover from cyber attacks, hardware failures, or natural disasters. A proper Disaster Recovery Plan (DRP) should include:
- Backups stored in two physically separate locations.
- Storage not connected to your network to prevent malware from corrupting backup files.
Choosing the Right Backup System
Option A: On-Site Backups
This method involves copying data to an external hard drive. However, ransomware can encrypt both live and backup data, making this approach risky.
Option B: Cloud Backup
Cloud-based backups provide frequent data storage with minimal disruption. However, restoring large data sets from the cloud can take hours or even days.
Option C: Hybrid Cloud and On-Site Backup
This method combines the benefits of both systems, ensuring rapid recovery while minimizing downtime. It is also an affordable solution for businesses of all sizes.
Minimizing Downtime with Reliable Backup Solutions
A prolonged system outage can be costly. Business owners must consider:
- The cost per day of downtime.
- The time required for data recovery.
- The impact of lost productivity.
Modern backup systems can perform continuous backups without affecting network performance. Advanced solutions only back up data changes rather than full data sets, ensuring efficiency.
Advanced Backup Solutions by Sytex
Sytex offers tailored IT solutions, including:
- Hybrid On-Premise and Cloud Data Protection
- Granular File and Application Data Recovery
- Full-Server Instant Failover to the Cloud
- Automatic Ransomware Detection and Alerting
With Sytex, businesses can recover data within minutes and prevent costly downtime. Contact us to learn more about our cybersecurity and backup solutions.
