Why Daily Backups Are Crucial to the Essential Eight Cyber Security Framework
If you’ve ever lost a document you were working on and had to start from scratch, you’ll know how frustrating (and sometimes devastating) it can be. Now imagine that on a business-wide scale. That’s exactly why regular data backups play such a big part in the Essential Eight Cyber Security Framework.
At Gray Area Consulting, we’ve helped plenty of Aussie businesses recover from cyber incidents that could’ve been far worse if they didn’t have a solid backup strategy in place. Let’s take a closer look at why daily backups matter so much, and how they help meet the standards of the Essential Eight.
What’s the Essential Eight?
Developed by the Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC), the Essential Eight is a set of baseline mitigation strategies designed to make it harder for cybercriminals to compromise your systems. While each of the eight controls is important, regular backups are a key piece of the puzzle, especially when it comes to recovering from ransomware or system failures.
Why Daily Backups Matter
Imagine your business gets hit with ransomware. Your files are encrypted, and the attacker is demanding money to unlock them. Now, if you’ve got a daily backup that’s stored securely and offline, you can restore everything to how it was the day before. No need to pay the ransom, no need to panic.
It’s like having a spare set of keys when you’ve locked yourself out. Sure, it’s annoying, but you’re not stuck out in the cold for long.
Backups and the Essential Eight: Where They Fit
The Essential Eight includes a control called ‘Daily Backups’—for good reason. Here’s how it contributes to your cyber resilience:
- Recovery from attacks: If you’re hit with malware, ransomware, or another kind of data loss, having recent backups means you can bounce back quickly.
- Meeting compliance: Regular backups help you stay compliant with frameworks like the Essential Eight, ISO 27001, and others.
- Reducing downtime: The faster you can restore systems, the less time your business spends in limbo.
How Often is “Daily” Enough?
For many businesses, daily full backups are the sweet spot. But depending on how critical your data is, you might also consider more frequent incremental backups throughout the day. For example, if you’re in finance or healthcare, even a few hours of lost data could be a big deal.
We recommend pairing daily backups with a robust disaster recovery plan, like we outlined in this article on business continuity.
Key Features of a Good Backup Strategy
Not all backups are created equal. Here’s what to aim for:
- Offline or offsite backups: Keep at least one copy disconnected from your main network to protect against ransomware.
- Automated and monitored: Don’t rely on someone remembering to hit ‘save’. Automate your backups and monitor them for success.
- Test restores regularly: Backups are only useful if they actually work. Schedule regular test restores to avoid nasty surprises.
- Secure storage: Encrypt your backups and restrict access to protect them from theft or tampering.
What We See in the Field
We once worked with a Brisbane-based accounting firm that thought they had backups sorted. They were using an external hard drive, but no one had checked it in months. When a ransomware attack hit, the drive was also infected. End result? Weeks of lost work and a very expensive lesson.
Since then, they’ve moved to a cloud-based backup solution with daily snapshots and encrypted offsite storage. Now, they sleep a lot easier.
Cloud Backups: A Modern Solution
Modern backup tools, especially those integrated into platforms like Microsoft 365 Cloud Backup, make daily backups a breeze. You can schedule, automate, and even restore specific files from specific times. It’s like having a time machine for your business data.
If you’ve already invested in Microsoft 365, it’s worth checking whether you have proper backup coverage. Spoiler alert: Microsoft doesn’t back up your data in the way many assume.
Wrapping Up
Daily backups aren’t just a ‘nice to have’—they’re a non-negotiable part of any solid cybersecurity plan. By making them part of your regular IT hygiene, you’re not just ticking a box for the Essential Eight, you’re actively protecting your business from costly downtime, data loss, and cybercrime.
If you’re not sure where to start, give us a bell. At Gray Area Consulting, we can help you review your current backup setup and recommend a strategy that fits your business—and your budget.
