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In the world of banking, data security is non-negotiable. The protection of sensitive customer information and financial data is not only an ethical obligation but also a legal requirement. And as cybercriminals get more advanced, we have to find new ways to keep our data secure.
Could air-gapped backups be a hard-hitter in your security stack? Learn more about this option to decide if it’s the right choice for your bank.
Does Your Bank Need to Be Worried About Cybersecurity?
All businesses face threats from cybercrime but why wouldn’t a hacker want to go right to the source: the bank? Banks are filled with valuable customer data and financial transactions, giving attackers a trove of information to exploit. More than 9 million people in the US alone were affected by incidents in financial institutions during 2022.
However, it’s not just financial data that is at risk. With new technologies such as mobile banking apps emerging, customers’ sensitive personal information is more vulnerable than ever before. Banks must make sure that their security measures are up to date and ready to deal with any potential threats.
Have You Heard of Air-Gapped Backups?
Air-gapped backups are a method of securely storing critical data offline in the cloud, physically isolated from the network and internet. This isolation creates an “air gap” between the data and potential cyber threats, making it highly resistant to unauthorized access or cyberattacks.
How Do They Differ from Traditional Backups?
Traditional backups, also referred to as local backups, use disk-based hardware to copy data. Before disks were used, your data may have been copied onto tape. The physical disks or tapes are usually stored at your place of business or a nearby data storage center. While convenient, this approach exposes the data to various threats, such as malware, hacking attempts, or ransomware attacks.
Air-gapped backups, on the other hand, are stored on a local physical device, like a disk, and then that disk is synced to the cloud. In the cloud, your data is encrypted, ensuring its safety.
How Do Air-Gapped Backups Work?
These backups are characterized by their physical separation from your network. When a file is copied—whether that’s with every file change, every hour, or at the end of the day—it’s sent to a disk. That hardware is synced to software in the cloud, where the file is encrypted and stored.
If a hacker ever tries to poison or destroy your files on the disk, the copied backups in the cloud will stay safe. We can use the cloud to recover your servers and get you up and running in as little as 15 minutes after an attack.
How Do Air-Gapped Backups Help Your Bank?
Now that we understand what these backups are and how they work, let’s explore the specific advantages they offer to banks:
1. Protection from Cyber Threats
These backups are not exposed to online threats like ransomware and hacking since the data is physically disconnected from the network and encrypted. Even if your local disks are compromised, your critical data remains safe.
2. Data Integrity
By eliminating the risk of online tampering or corruption, these backups ensure the integrity of your data. This is crucial for maintaining the accuracy and reliability of financial records.
3. Regulatory Compliance
Many regulatory authorities require banks to implement stringent data security measures. Air-gapped backups help banks meet these compliance requirements, reducing the risk of non-compliance penalties.
4. Data Recovery Assurance
In the event of a data breach or disaster, backups that are air-gapped provide a reliable source for data recovery. You can quickly restore your operations without relying on potentially compromised online backups. With RESULTS Technology’s systems, we can recover your servers in as little as 15 minutes to an hour.
Find Out How RESULTS Technology Can Help
With today’s threats, banks have their work cut out for them when it comes to protecting their data. Air-gapped backups are a powerful addition to any security stack, offering protection from online threats and assurance of data integrity.
At RESULTS Technology, we offer comprehensive backup and recovery solutions built specifically for financial institutions, so you can leave the IT. Schedule a free assessment today to find out more about how we can help your bank secure its data for the future.
