Data Protection and Recovery: A Foundation to a Cyber Readiness Plan

• The document highlights the need for a new approach to cybersecurity, particularly in protecting information management systems and data.
• A comprehensive approach to intelligent data management should be distinguished from traditional disaster recovery strategies.
• The paper also stresses the need for an operational view of a cyber data readiness solution, integrating intelligent data management platforms as central to implementing a successful strategy.

The whitepaper on “Data Protection and Recovery: A Foundation to a Cyber Readiness Plan” emphasizes the growing sophistication of ransomware and malware attacks, which pose significant economic threats to businesses. The document highlights the need for a new approach to cybersecurity, particularly in protecting information management systems and data. It underscores the difference in malware attack goals between Federal agencies and commercial companies, with the former often aiming to extract data for intelligence purposes and the latter usually seeking ransom. Both types of attacks target data stores and exploit security gaps in core IT operations.

The paper advocates for a comprehensive approach to intelligent data management, distinguishing it from traditional disaster recovery strategies. It suggests using a cyber risk profile to identify vulnerabilities and prioritize critical operational systems for protection and restoration.

The discussion revolves around securing data stores with immutable copies and air gaps, air gapsed detection using anomaly intelligence, and planning for cyber recovery sites. It also emphasizes the importance of having documented procedures to respond effectively to an attack.

The paper outlines the NIST model for cyber readiness and extends its framework to include specific roles and focuses for IT security teams and data recovery teams. This approach aims to ensure a holistic plan encompassing prompt response and recovery. Automation, validation, and secure management of the recovery process are crucial elements that must be planned and exercised.

Overall, the whitepaper stresses the need for an operational view of a cyber data readiness solution, integrating intelligent data management platforms as central to implementing a successful strategy. This approach is vital for organizations to be prepared for malware or ransomware attacks and to ensure rapid and secure recovery from such incidents.

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