Here I'm not talking about the dangers of travel on a holiday weekend, though those are real. Another type of threat rises on weekends and especially holiday weekends.
Your files are vulnerable over a weekend, particularly a holiday weekend.
On August 31, 2021, the FBI and Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency warned about:
"an increase in highly impactful ransomware attacks occurring on holidays and weekends...."
Everything you and your team have created after your last, good backup could vanish in a flash.
That flash might come from a:
- Ransomware attack
- Lightning strike
- Hard drive crash
- Violent storm
- Office fire
- Sprinkler system
- Software malfunction
- Flash flood
- Computer theft
- Hacker breach
You are only as safe as your last, good backup.
A good backup system shouldn't require much attention, but it needs regular checkups.
I urge you to check your backup system at least once per month or have someone else check it for you.
On the first Friday of each month, check your backup system. Consider that a minimum.
Run a test restore of a random, recent file. This checkup won't confirm that your backup is 100% good, but it will serve two important purposes.
A test restore run on the first Friday will:
- Confirm that your backup is not failing completely.
- Remind you about how to retrieve files so you'll be ready for an emergency.
Why the first Friday? Ransomware attacks are most likely to do the most damage after hours over a weekend. The attackers know that they won't be detected and interfered with so quickly when no one is around.
If you have our DoubleBackup service, you can perform a test restore of a single file by following six steps on pages 2 and 3 of our instructions.
Go to: https://www.securemyfirm.com/pages/help
Click: DoubleBackup Restore Guide
Also know that real human beings regularly monitor your SecureMyFirm backups.
If you have a different backup service, make sure you have detailed instructions in a safe, offsite location. Then follow those instructions to do a test restore.
In addition to a cloud service or other offsite backup service, it is very important to have a primary, onsite backup application that protects your entire server and any computer storing important files. Please let me know if you have questions about onsite backups.
I wish you safe weekends and holidays!
Wells H. Anderson, CEO, SecureMyFirm
https://securemyfirm.com
952.922.1120