Marin CyberSafe News: Have a Backup Plan

In This Issue

• Choosing what to back up
• How can you create a backup of just key files?
• How can you create a complete backup of your devices data?
• Choosing where to store your backed-up data
• How often should you back up files and systems?

From the desk of Jason Balderama, CISO, County of Marin

We all know it happens – systems fail, viruses infect them, or somebody downloads that cool, new app that crashes everything. While there are many tips and tricks to prevent your devices and data from being compromised, it is important to also have backups of your information in case something goes wrong. 
 
Backups are copies of key information or data that are stored separately from your device. By storing these separately, you can restore your data or device using these backups and get right back to full working order. With threats like Ransomware, which encrypts and renders your personal files unusable, this is a real concern.

Let's explore some key concepts on creating and maintaining backups.

Choosing what to back up

When thinking about a backup system the first thing to decide is how much you want to backup. Are you okay storing key documents, pictures, and files, or do you want your full system backed-up?  If you’re concerned about rebuilding a full system, and having all the license information to make it functional, then you probably want a more complete backup option. If you just want to protect important files, then a system where you choose what to save would work well.

How can you create a backup of just key files?

If you are looking to store copies of your important files, you can copy them to your preferred method of backup periodically. This is accomplished by selecting the folders or files you want to backup, and copying them to the storage device or media. This is made especially easy if you make a habit of organizing your important files into just a few folders, and guarantees that your tax documents, digital receipts, pictures, and other important records remain available.

How can you create a complete backup of your devices data?

If you are looking to create a more comprehensive backup, your devices likely have utilities built in that allow for easy creation of backups. These may allow you to set a complete copy of your device’s data aside that would allow you to restore it to full working order following an infection or issue. Seek out guidance or tips from your device’s vendor to determine what utilities are available to you for creating backups.

Choosing where to store your backed-up data

Regardless of what you want to save, one of the key ways to keep your backed-up data safe, is to disconnect the storage media after you make the backup. This is important in the event that you are infected with malware, as you do not want the copies of data to also be infected. (Ransomware does look for backups to infect.) This also helps in case your device is lost, stolen, or physically destroyed. Keeping a separate backup on a different physical storage device, or in the cloud, is a way to better secure your data from this type of problem.

• Cloud services for storing backups can be a convenient solution. Having the backup outside your immediate possession can be helpful if you are concerned about a physical problem, such as loss or damage. Some of these services save multiple versions of your backup, which better secures against infected files corrupting the cloud backup.
• External hard drives are the other most common option. You simply need to copy the data you want to save to the external hard drive. Consider keeping the external drive disconnected from your devices while not making backups, as this prevents malware getting on the backup copy.

How often should you back up files and systems?

The frequency with which you back up your data or systems is an important component of this process. Consider making your backups on a weekly basis, with a minimum frequency of monthly backups.  Decide how vital the data on each of your devices is. Then, determine the best backup strategy to meet your needs.

By adding backups to your safe computing habits, you can build in more reliability and recoverability. If you are ever the victim of a malware infection or cyber attack, you will surely be glad you took the time to make backups.

For additional information on backups, please review the National Cybersecurity Alliance: Backups web page.

Disclaimer

The information provided in Marin CyberSafe News is intended to increase people’s awareness of cybersecurity and to help them behave in a more secure manner. Links in this newsletter are provided because they have information that may be useful. The County of Marin does not warrant the accuracy of any information contained in the links and neither endorses nor intends to promote the advertising of the resources listed herein. The opinions and statements contained in such resources are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the opinions of County of Marin.

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