Getting targeted by hackers and cybercriminals is very much a reality nowadays, as companies working with virtual machines require a proper VM backup to secure their critical data from potential cyber-attacks. Backup data is crucial to raise awareness and employ security awareness training and disaster recovery plan for your sensitive data.
Virtual machine backup is able to backup data for security controls, as the critical data of the operating systems is handled by managed service providers for information security and cyber defense from a potential ransomware attack. VM backup will protect your business from malicious links and certain business operations.
Needless to say that there is something called ransomware as a service – which is an offer for paid malware. It was created for extortion through stolen or encrypted data, known as ransomware. The ransomware author makes the software available to customers called affiliates, who use the software to hold people’s data hostage with little technical skill.
Other examples include:
- phishing and social media account hacking
- fake cryptocurrency
- fake charities
- fake lotteries
- fake surveys
- fake kidnapping
- fake tech support
- fake free stuff
- identity theft
Now let’s examine what you could do to prevent yourself from falling for their tactics. Here are some practices you can ensure that your virtual machines, your sensitive data, and your critical systems are protected:
Adopt a robust password management strategy
Using strong, unique, and difficult-to-guess passwords for all your accounts and devices is continually suggested to protect your data across all different systems. A national security agency will suggest a security strategy that can aid to protect you from unwanted ransomware attacks.
I understand that it can be hard to remember numerous unique alphanumeric combinations for other accounts and devices; that’s why the recommendation suggests using a reliable password manager service.
Utilize 2MFA – Multi-factor authentication features
A multi-step verification/authentication process while logging in to your accounts and devices adds another layer of security to your data protection strategy.
Using a trusted authentication application or built-in unique one-time passwords (OTPs) based on email applications, text messages, or calls is helpful in this process.
Do not click on links or attachments from unknown email addresses or any kind of a contact form
It only takes one wrong click to automatically download viruses or give hackers access to the entire computer system. Consequently, if you receive suspicious emails with links or attachments, do not click on them unless you are confident they are from a reliable source.
Invest in cybersecurity awareness training programs
Multiple reports say that over 90% of cyber-attacks are preventable with basic cybersecurity awareness practices.
So, by taking a cyber security awareness course and considering all the points in this article, you may be several steps ahead of those cyber criminals and save your virtual machine’s critical data from severe problems and huge losses.
Network traffic requires a reliable backup as cloud services can perform offline backups for any data loss. Sensitive information security controls is a top priority for any business operations to prevent users to fall victim to any cyber attack on the data center.
The backup strategy is to store backups that can limit access to any potential cyber attack since modern threats to the IT environment are able to gain access utilizing phishing attacks.
Schedule regular VM data backups
The importance of VMware backup does not need to be further elaborated on these days, especially when you have a lot of virtual machines with critical data management. But I tried to make a backup of them manually.
On top of that, it takes a lot of time and effort, not to mention the hassle of remembering regular backups and avoiding operational errors. In this case, the VMware backup schedule will be a big help.
Automatic backup scheduling can ensure convenient storage of the latest data and reduce the hassle of frequent manual operations. But when it comes to VMware ESXi, things can be different because there are no built-in backup options, let alone a backup schedule.
Have a disaster recovery plan ready for your virtual machines
Regardless of size, location, or industry, organizations must take the time to develop a well-thought-out and practical strategy for implementing DR best practices and scheduled maintenance.
Organizations need an easy-to-understand, step-by-step guide to what to do in a data emergency. Hence, employees, partners, and vendors understand their roles, responsibilities, and resources before, during, and after crisis strikes.
Encrypted data protection, i.e., sometimes known as cloud backup data is recommended constantly during the event of national cybersecurity awareness month.
About virtualization
IT systems virtualization has gained popularity and relevance recently, but its roots can be traced back to 1972 when IBM introduced virtualization technology to mainframe computers.
CEOs and Chief Information Officers (CIOs) have long accepted traditional servers for day-to-day operations. Recent trends highlight an urgency among IT leaders towards cost savings in IT investments and “green IT”.
The virtualization of IT systems plays a significant role in achieving these savings. Virtualization delivers substantial cost savings by sharing storage space and CPU capacity. However, as with any technology, virtual IT systems are not risk-averse.
An appropriate risk mitigation strategy must be developed and followed if organizations reap the benefits of virtualization technology. Information security auditors are essential in auditing the risks of virtual IT systems.
Conclusion
Virtually every system today faces the threat of cyber security, and the system architect must have the ability to integrate security features and functions as integral elements of the system.
Many of the security architecture and design details are best left to experts. Yet, the system architect requires working knowledge of the problem, available solutions, state-of-the-art technology and policies, and best practices to perform a robust VM backup of your virtualization system.
The security of your data should not be taken lightly, and many organizations outsource or increase their team with IT service providers specializing in cyber security management. You can prevent cyber-attacks and protect yourself from becoming one of their victims.
Take the time to learn more about how these cyber-attacks work and utilize proper VM backup strategies, how hackers and fraudsters approach people, what tactics they use, and how you can deal with them.
