What are the best backup strategies for data recovery?

Select your backup wisely: Full for comprehensive recovery, Incremental for efficiency (requires full+incremental for restore), and Differential for a balance (requires full+latest differential). Tailor your choice to balance time, storage, and recovery needs.

A robust backup strategy for effective data recovery should adhere to the 3-2-1 rule: keep at least three total copies of your data, on two different media, with one copy stored offsite. Automate your backups to ensure regular and consistent data protection. Prioritize securing your backups, particularly for sensitive information, and regularly test them to ensure they can be successfully restored. Consider using both cloud services and local backups (like external hard drives) for a balanced approach. Regularly update and review your strategy to keep pace with changing data needs and technological advancements.

Consider the evolving landscape of cloud-native backups, introducing a paradigm where data is seamlessly replicated and stored in a distributed fashion across multiple servers. This approach not only enhances fault tolerance but also allows for swift recovery from various points in time. Unlike traditional backups, the cloud-native model leverages scalable resources, enabling users to adapt their backup strategies dynamically based on the changing demands of their data, fostering a more resilient and flexible backup infrastructure.

In the old days, the backup are primarily full backup, differential backup or incremental backup and are tape based backups. Later, disk based backups, snapshot backups introduced, synthetic full backups or accelerated backups have more advantages and became more popular before everyone shift to cloud based backups which literally leverage the cloud storage as the backup target like Amazon S3, Azure BlobStorage or Google Cloud Storage.

For database, typically, you need to think about the database full / incremental and archive log e.g. Oracle or transaction log e.g. SQL Server backups too.

Optimal backup strategies for data recovery involve selecting the right backup frequency - regular full backups combined with frequent incremental backups cater to dynamic data changes while adjusting backup intervals based on data importance and modification rate ensures efficiency. Striking this balance enables swift and comprehensive recovery in the event of data loss or system failures.

Tailor your backup frequency to the criticality of the data—more frequent for mission-critical systems, less for less-sensitive data. Automated daily backups ensure a recent snapshot, while real-time or continuous backup solutions offer near-instantaneous recovery points. Reassess your backup frequency based on evolving business needs, data growth, and the dynamic threat landscape. Analyse the right balance between minimizing data loss (RPO) and optimizing storage resources. For systems with stringent RTO requirements, real-time backups ensure minimal downtime. Systems with more lenient RTO can opt for daily backups. This minimizes dataloss and accelerates recovery time, balancing data protection and operational efficiency.

For database, you might do hourly, daily, weekly, monthly, but for archivelog or transaction log backups typically running more frequently e.g. every 15 mins or 30 mins

Backup frequency is a delicate balancing act between ensuring data currency and minimizing operational disruption. It's not a one-size-fits-all approach; rather, it hinges on a thorough analysis of data criticality, change frequency, and the acceptable data loss window (RPO). High-value, frequently changing data warrants more frequent backups, while less critical data can be backed up less often. This tiered backup strategy not only optimizes resources but also tailors data protection to business priorities.

Traditionally, we do daily incremental backup, weekly and monthly full backups. It might be good enough depends on the data size and RPO and RTO requirements. The popular backup tools I'm aware of including Veritas NetBackup, Legato Networker, Commvault Galaxy, Veeam etc. Nowadays, in the cloud native world, especially for the containerized workloads. Technically, you can do hourly backups or even minutes level backups. The popular tools are open source, Velero is the most popular Kubernetes backup tool. Kasten by Veeam and CloudCasa by Catalogic and Portworx by Pure Storage are among the popular ones.

The market is already shifted away from tape based backups to disk based backups, then most of the backups are now cloud based which typically leverage Object Storage either onprem or in the cloud. E.g. Amazon S3, Google Cloud Storage or Azure Blob Storage etc.

Figuring out where to park your backups is a big deal. On-site is like having them in your backyard—quick access but vulnerable to the same threats. Off-site is the long-distance relationship—it's safer, but getting the data there takes more time and bandwidth. It's a trade-off between convenience and bulletproofing, with cloud services or data centers in the off-site game. Each option has its perks and quirks, and finding the sweet spot depends on your data recovery strategy and priorities. In my opinion you should always have both!

Choosing the right backup location is integral to effective data recovery strategies - employ a mix of on-site and off-site backups to guard against localized disasters. Utilize cloud storage for added redundancy and accessibility. Regularly verify and test backups stored in different locations to ensure their reliability in facilitating prompt data recovery in case of unforeseen events.

Choosing the right location for storing data backups is a crucial decision that involves considerations related to security, accessibility, compliance, and disaster recovery. Here are several factors to consider when selecting a data backup store Physical Security- Robust physical security measures in place, including access controls, surveillance systems, and restricted entry. Environmental Controls- Protect against factors like temperature, humidity, and fire. Geographic Location: Offsite Storage- Backup should be kept at offsite location which is fire proof like bank locker. Connectivity and Accessibilities: Network Connectivity and accessibility to backup location should be smooth

In any data recovery strategy, the backup location is a pivotal consideration. My strategy involves a mix of both on-site and off-site backups. On-site backups, stored on local devices like external hard drives or NAS systems, offer quick access but share the same risks as primary data. Off-site backups, using cloud services or remote data centers, provide enhanced protection and reliability. However, they often require more time and bandwidth for data transfers, and could lead to additional costs or security considerations. Balancing these options ensures backups are both secure and accessible in various scenarios.

Encryption, Encrypt your backups, especially those stored off-site or in the cloud, to protect sensitive information from unauthorised access or breaches.

Encrypting backups ensures that even if unauthorized access occurs, the data remains unreadable. Implementing strong encryption algorithms, such as AES, fortifies the confidentiality of sensitive information during storage. Validate the algorithm used from time to time to verify that it does not have a vulnerability (this could be a risk factor). Make encryption a non-negotiable aspect of your backup strategy (most tools already do this), applying it to both on/off-site storage. Secure key management is equally vital (use a secure key vault or HSM for manage your encryption keys) and store it separately from the backup data to prevent compromise. This approach protects against data leaks and aligns with regulatory compliance requirements.

Implement strong encryption algorithms to safeguard sensitive information during backup processes, both in transit and at rest - this protects against unauthorized access and data breaches, enhancing the overall security of backup storage. Incorporating encryption as part of the backup strategy contributes to maintaining the confidentiality and integrity of the backed-up data, thereby fortifying the effectiveness of data recovery measures.

In my opinion, the best backup strategies for data recovery in the context of encryption are those that ensure the security and integrity of your backups without compromising the performance and usability of your backup system. There is no one-size-fits-all solution for encryption, as different methods have different advantages and disadvantages. Therefore, you should consider the following factors when choosing an encryption method for your backups: The type and sensitivity of your data The storage location and medium of your backups The frequency and size of your backups The ease and cost of encryption and decryption

Securing backups through encryption is as crucial as safeguarding primary data. In my experience, employing encryption ensures that backups remain inaccessible to unauthorized users. There are two primary encryption methods: software and hardware encryption. Software encryption, done via tools or applications, offers control over encryption settings but introduces added complexity to the backup process. Conversely, hardware encryption, utilizing devices with built-in encryption features, simplifies the process but relies on the device's quality and compatibility. Each method has its merits, and the choice often depends on the specific security requirements and operational context of the organization.

Regularly validate backups through systematic testing to ensure their integrity and reliability. Simulate various recovery scenarios to identify and address potential issues proactively. By routinely testing backups, organizations can enhance their readiness to swiftly recover data in real-world situations, minimizing downtime and ensuring the effectiveness of their overall backup strategy.

Backup Testing or Validation should be part of the runbook. As a best practice, the operations team should carry out the restore monthly if not weekly to validate if the backups are working fine.

Regularly testing backups is a fundamental aspect of any robust backup strategy. In practice, I ensure backups are complete, accurate, and restorable without errors or delays. Testing helps identify and rectify any issues, enhances performance and quality, updates policies and procedures, and, crucially, prepares the team for actual data recovery scenarios. It's not just about having backups; it's about ensuring they work when you need them most.

Testing your backups is like taking a mock exam before the real one. It helps you ensure that your backups are complete, accurate, and functional, and that you can restore them without any errors or delays. You should test your backups at least once a month, or more frequently depending on your backup needs and resources.

3-2-1 backup rule, Adhere to the 3-2-1 backup rule - have three copies of your data, store them on two different media types, and keep one copy off-site. This ensures redundancy and resilience.

Backup is still the last line of defense regardless if it is physical, virtual machines or containers running onprem or in the cloud as IaaS, PaaS or SaaS.

Backup is a core RECOVERY strategy and one of the main pillars of DRP and BCP. During the phases of compromising your data, Backup should act as a guarantor that; if your defense strategy fails, you will still be able to recover your data. So, structure your Backup environment (physical and logical) as a critical business process.

With increasing attacks on organizations sensitive data through ransomware and other attacks, the robust backup and restore capabilities have become foundational in every organization defense strategy. In my opinion Protecting against Ransomware with the 3-2-1-1 Backup Rule is the most effective strategy. Today, ransomware and data loss prevention demands a 3-2-1-1 backup strategy, an update to the 3-2-1 backup: 3: Keep three copies of your data One original and at least two copies? 2: Store your backups on two different types of media Network-attached storage, tape or a local drive, for example 1: Keep one copy offsite? In the cloud or secure storage 1: Ensure one copy of your data is immutable.

? Schedule consistent backups of essential data, ensuring recent versions are always available in case of loss or corruption. ? Store backups in diverse locations (cloud, external drives, offsite servers) to mitigate risks like hardware failure or disasters. ? Secure backups with encryption to prevent unauthorized access, safeguarding sensitive information. ? Regularly test backups to ensure they are functional and can be restored successfully when needed. Implementing these strategies can significantly enhance data recovery capabilities and ensure business continuity in the face of unforeseen events or data loss.