Top 4 Reasons to Implement a 3-2-1 Backup Strategy

Protecting data is paramount to business success. Risk of data exfiltration, deletion, or corruption comes from trajectories including ransomware, natural disasters, and human error. Backups are the last line of defense in all instances. Creating a robust data resiliency strategy is imperative. 

The 3-2-1 backup strategy is a proven method for maintaining data resilience. Let’s explore the top reasons for implementing a 3-2-1 backup strategy and how you can enhance this strategy beyond the basics. 

What Is a 3-2-1 Backup Strategy?

The 3-2-1 backup strategy is as follows:

Top 4 Reasons to Implement a 3-2-1 Backup Strategy

Cyber Resiliency

Ransomware is the only form of cryptocurrency-based crime on pace to grow in 2023. And the growth is significant. By June of this year, attackers had extorted $175.8 million more than they had by June 2022, according to blockchain analytics firm Chainalysis.

Chainalysis Report – Cumulative yearly ransomware revenue, 2022 vs. 2023 (through June)

Cyber criminals attack backup data to: 

• Completely cripple business processes

• Extort higher payments 

• Prevent the restoration of all data 

Only 37% of respondents to a recent study had implemented immutable storage to protect their cloud data backups. Meanwhile 44% had implemented network isolation through air-gap solutions. Based on these results, most organizations are at greater risk of being unable to fully recover from a cyberattack. 

Strategies organizations have in place to protect its data within cloud environments.

Using a 3-2-1 strategy to back up data in the cloud, you can quickly recover by restoring data from an isolated recovery environment (IRE). IREs can be located offsite, include data encryption, and use immutable and indelible storage devices. 

Disaster Resiliency

In the same report, 27% of respondents had experienced a natural disaster that caused downtime for the organization within the past two years. With the 3-2-1 backup strategy, organizations can keep at least one backup copy at an offsite location with a low risk of a natural disaster to:

• Mitigate the risk of business disruption 

• Minimize the risk of severe data loss

• Reduce operational costs associated with a natural disaster

Keep your data safe and restorable no matter what challenges nature brings your way. 

Business Continuity 

Unplanned downtime increases risks to:

• Internal and external communications

• Business processes and production

• Supply-chain processes

Juxtapose these risks against increasingly higher customer expectations for faster services and fulfillment, organizations need a robust business resiliency strategy. Incorporating 3-2-1 backup strategy provides a clear and quick way to restore operations seamlessly and maintain productivity in the face of unforeseen disruptions. 

Professional Reputation

82% of data breach victims saw a negative impact on their lives.” - 2022 Thales Consumer Digital Trust Index 

Data loss or exfiltration due to a cyberattack can do far more than disrupt business continuity. It can devastate your business reputation and permanently cripple customer trust. 

According to the 2022 Thales Consumer Digital Trust Index, 82% of data breach victims saw a negative impact on their lives. Repairing trust starts with restoring the customer experience and getting operations back up and running. 

Achieve rapid recovery with a robust 3-2-1 plan in place. Rapid restoration and incorporation of the encryption of data in a 3-2-1 strategy demonstrate your commitment to data security and reliability. 

What to Do Next

Data plays a vital role in the customer experience and can provide a competitive advantage. Protect, detect, and recover data rapidly in the event of a disaster, whether it results from a cyber event, natural disaster, or human error is achievable with the adoption of the 3-2-1 backup strategy.  

Turnkey options like NetBackup Appliances or Veritas Alta™ Recovery Vault can help you achieve your business resiliency goals. At Veritas, we deliver solutions to protect, manage, and harness the hidden power of your data. Work with us to implement the best 3-2-1 backup approach so you can focus on increasing productivity, reducing operational costs, and delivering an amazing customer experience. 

For more information on the latest Net Backup Appliances, check out these posts: 

• New NetBackup Flex Appliances Set Standard in Turnkey Cyber-Resilient Data Protection
• The New NetBackup Flex 5360 and NetBackup Flex 5260 Appliances