World Backup Day: A Timely Reminder in the Face of Rising Cyber Threats

World Backup Day, which takes place on March 31^st, serves as a timely reminder of the importance of securing critical digital data. What began as an awareness campaign, founded in 2011 by Ismail Jadun, a digital strategy and research consultant, has become a significant call to action for individuals and organizations worldwide, particularly as cyber threats continue to escalate. At the top of the threat list are ransomware attacks, which continue to grow in frequency and sophistication. Having a robust backup strategy – especially one incorporating immutable backups – is no longer optional but essential.

Just stop and think for a moment about the ramifications of not having an immutable backup of your organization’s data, in the event of a ransomware attack or other seriously disruptive cyber event. They could be devastating, with huge financial implications at best and potentially an existential threat to the organization at worst. 

Governments get serious about ransomware but risks remain
Across the world, governments are examining ways in which regulatory powers related to ransomware payments might play a role in helping to fight this ongoing problem. In the US, current FBI advice is not to pay ransomware demands and as CNBC reports, efforts are being made to further disrupt criminal gangs. Meanwhile, in the UK, the Home office has launched a public consultation seeking views on three proposals aimed at tackling the ransomware criminal business model, including ways in which ransomware payments could be curtailed. 

While overall, ransomware payments are declining, with a 35% fall recorded in 2024, the threat remains constant, with no shortage of active gangs. The problem is now being compounded by the rise of ransomware-as-a-service (RaaS) models, together with the utilization of AI in attacks. Security-focused publication CSO, has just published a list of what it believes to be the 12 worst ransomware groups active today, detailing how they operate and who they target.  

The role of immutable backups in mitigating the ransomware risk
Without an immutable backup in place, ransomware can encrypt or delete all copies of organizational data, including standard backups. This can result in the total loss of critical files, customer records, and operational data. As a result, business operations can be seriously disrupted for days or even weeks, causing significant delays in business processes, supply chain disruptions, and loss of productivity. Without an immutable data backup, restoring operations rapidly is almost impossible.

However, the post-attack phase, when an organization is recovering from a ransomware attack, is likely to be marked by additional fallout. There’s a high risk of reputational damage and loss of trust, as clients and stakeholders may lose confidence in the organization’s ability to protect their information. Additionally, many cyber insurance policies require immutable backups – without them, claims could be denied.

With immutable backups in place though, it’s a very different story. Operations can be restored within minutes, without ever having to consider paying a ransomware demand. 

It’s important to recognize that immutable backups are not a ‘one-size-fits-all’ solution, and not all technologies offer the same level of protection. Rubrik’s immutable backup technology stands out as a prime example of a solution designed for true cyber resilience. Unlike many other platforms, Rubrik was built from the ground up with native immutability, ensuring data remains secure, untouchable, and instantly recoverable. Its unmatched security measures are continuously enhanced to stay ahead of evolving threats, making it a trusted choice for organizations seeking the highest level of ransomware protection.

The advantage of utilizing immutable backup technology through an MSP approach
There’s no doubt that immutable backup and disaster recovery (DR) technology should be a cornerstone of any comprehensive cybersecurity strategy. However, for some businesses – particularly smaller enterprises and public sector organizations – cost has often been a barrier to adoption.

This is where a managed service approach, like the one offered by Assured Data Protection in partnership with Rubrik, delivers exceptional value. As an MSP committed to the highest standards of service, we go beyond simply providing technology – we actively monitor, detect, and respond to threats in real time, ensuring rapid resolution of any issues.

It’s this powerful combination of Rubrik’s cutting-edge, immutable backup technology and Assured’s 24/7/365 expert support that truly sets us apart in the market, providing organizations with affordable, enterprise-grade cybersecurity resilience.

As the largest and most established Rubrik MSP, Assured Data Protection is a global leader in data backup and disaster recovery managed services. We provide unmatched peace of mind, ensuring your organization is fully prepared for any cyber threat.

We’d welcome a discussion on how we can strengthen your cyber resilience strategy. You can book a meeting with us here.