The Evolving Role of Storage and Backup Security in Cybersecurity

In the realm of cybersecurity, storage and backup systems are often sidelined, yet they play a crucial role in protecting organizational data. Recent high-profile cyberattacks have highlighted these systems as prime targets for attackers, necessitating their elevation in organizational Security Posture Management strategies.

Real-World Wake-Up Calls: The Storage & Backup Attack Surge

Cybercriminals are increasingly focusing their efforts on storage and backup infrastructures, leading to alarming breaches:

• DarkSide ransomware has demonstrated the ability to disable organizations by simply deleting a backup index file, making recovery impossible.
• A recent Russia–Ukraine cyber incident involved the destruction of over 4,000 servers, severely crippling Ukraine’s largest mobile provider ahead of critical diplomatic meetings.
• Let’s Secure Insurance was breached due to insufficient security protocols on its storage systems, proving that no industry is immune to these threats.

These incidents illustrate a worrying trend: your organization’s storage and backup systems are at risk.

Industry Standards Are Raising the Bar

Compliance requirements are evolving to address vulnerabilities in storage and backup systems. Key regulatory guidelines include:

• PCI DSS 4.0, mandating internal vulnerability scans through authenticated scanning.
• NIST SP 800-209 and ISO/IEC 27040, providing comprehensive guidelines on securing storage infrastructures.
• Cyber insurers are increasing scrutiny and premiums for companies failing to demonstrate robust storage control measures.

Organizations are urged to enhance their defenses and adopt the latest cybersecurity best practices.

Why Storage & Backup Security Matters More Than Ever

If primary storage is compromised, it can lead to severe operational downtimes affecting numerous workloads, including databases and virtual machines. Moreover, if backup systems fail, recovery options may be nonexistent. Notably, studies indicate that on average, each enterprise storage or backup device has 10 vulnerabilities, with 5 being critical and high-severity risks.

Three Key Steps to Fortify Your Storage & Backup Systems

1. Use Specialized Vulnerability Scanners

   • Opt for scanners tailored for storage infrastructures, offering authenticated and unauthenticated scan capabilities.
   • Ensure they are supported by an updated vulnerability database.

2. Build a Secure Configuration Baseline

   • Define and regularly review secure settings for each storage product to align with vendor guidance and attack patterns.
3. Perform a Gap Assessment
   • Regular assessments could identify weak points not previously recognized, aiding in the prevention of potential breaches.

What a Complete Storage & Backup Security Program Looks Like

A robust Security Posture Management Plan should encompass:

• Targeted vulnerability management.
• Enforcement of secure configurations.
• Real-time anomaly detection.
• Compliance tracking.

Conclusion

Storage and backup systems, while often overlooked, are essential assets within any organization. Strengthening their security protocols is imperative given the increasing threat landscape. By focusing on vulnerability management, configuration hardening, and resilience assessments, organizations can better safeguard their critical data.

Stay informed and proactive in reshaping your storage security strategy to withstand evolving cyber threats. For more insights, follow us at Continuity™.