#3 Secure your data

Hello!

Welcome to another edition of your newsletter, Hacktractive!

We're here to equip you with the latest cybersecurity insights, tailored specifically for small and medium-sized businesses like yours.

As always, we're committed to helping you navigate the ever-changing digital landscape safely and confidently.

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This Week in Cybersecurity

Let's dive into the most significant cybersecurity events from the past week that SMBs need to know about.

1. Increased attacks: SMBs face 31,000 cyberattacks daily, with 66% reporting an attack in the past year.

2. Phishing surge: Phishing attacks rose by 48% in early 2022, costing businesses $12.3 million globally.

3. Ransomware decline: Only 13% of SMBs experienced ransomware attacks in 2022, down from 34% the previous year.

4. Financial threat: Over half of SMBs fail within six months of a successful cyberattack; 93% of breaches are financially motivated.

5. Preparedness gaps: 46% of SMBs lack firewalls, and 42% do not back up critical data, highlighting significant security vulnerabilities.

Now that we're up to speed with the latest news, let's explore some actionable content to strengthen your cybersecurity posture.

Secure Your Data: Backup Strategies

In today's digital landscape, small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) face increasing cybersecurity threats. A robust data backup strategy is crucial for protecting your valuable information and ensuring business continuity. Here are key best practices to implement:

The 3-2-1 backup rule

Adopt the 3-2-1 backup rule as your foundation:

• Keep 3 copies of your data

• Store 2 copies on different storage types

• Keep 1 copy off-site

This approach provides redundancy and protects against various failure scenarios.

Choose the right backup types

Implement a combination of backup types:

1. Full backups: Create complete copies of all data regularly, typically weekly or monthly.

2. Incremental backups: Back up only changed data since the last backup, ideal for daily use.

3. Differential backups: Back up all changes since the last full backup, balancing storage and recovery speed.

Automate your backups

Set up automated backups to ensure consistency and reduce human error.
Most modern backup solutions offer scheduling features, allowing you to set and forget your backup routines.

Embrace cloud backups

Utilize cloud storage for off-site backups. Cloud solutions offer:

• Scalability

• Accessibility

• Built-in redundancy

• Often, better security than on-premises options

Encrypt your backups

Always encrypt your backups, both in transit and at rest. This protects your data if backups are intercepted or storage devices are stolen.

Regular testing and validation

Periodically test your backups by performing test restorations. This ensures your backups are working correctly and familiarizes your team with the recovery process.

Implement version control

Keep multiple versions of your backups. This allows you to recover from not just data loss, but also data corruption or ransomware attacks by rolling back to a clean version.

Consider backup retention policies

Develop a retention policy that balances storage costs with the need for historical data. Consider regulatory requirements in your industry when setting retention periods.

Secure your backup infrastructure

Protect your backup systems as rigorously as your primary systems. Implement strong access controls, keep backup software updated, and monitor for suspicious activities.

Educate your team

Train your employees on the importance of data backups and their role in the process. Encourage them to save important files in designated locations that are included in your backup routines.

Plan for disaster recovery

Develop a comprehensive disaster recovery plan that incorporates your backup strategy. This should include clear procedures for data restoration and business continuity in case of a major incident.

By implementing these best practices, SMBs can significantly enhance their resilience against data loss from cyberattacks.
A solid backup strategy is not just about creating copies of your data—it's about ensuring your business can quickly recover and continue operations in the face of adversity.

Regularly review and update your backup strategy to keep pace with your evolving business needs and the changing threat landscape.
With diligence and the right approach, you can protect your critical data and maintain business continuity, even in the face of sophisticated cyber threats.

That wraps up this week's edition.

Remember, in the world of cybersecurity, knowledge is power – and we're here to empower you every step of the way.

Stay safe and secure!

Hacktractive
By Harke & Co LLC

P.S. Have a burning cybersecurity question?
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