Control Requirement 5.6.2.4: The Importance of Offsite Backup Storage
When it comes to protecting your organization’s data, having a robust backup strategy is essential. Control requirement 5.6.2.4 from the CAN/DGSI 104:2021 Rev 1 2024 standard emphasizes the need to store backups at a fully offsite location at regular intervals. This practice ensures diversity in the event of a disaster, such as a fire, flood, earthquake, or localized cyber security incident. Let’s explore why this is important and how to implement it effectively.
Why Offsite Backup Storage is Crucial
Storing backups at an offsite location provides an additional layer of protection for your data. In the event of a disaster that affects your primary location, having backups stored elsewhere ensures that your data remains safe and can be quickly restored. This practice is a key component of a comprehensive disaster recovery plan.
Key Elements of Control Requirement 5.6.2.4
Regular Intervals: The organization must store backups at regular intervals to ensure that the most up-to-date data is protected. This involves scheduling backups consistently to capture any changes in data.
Fully Offsite Location: Backups must be stored at a location that is physically separate from the primary site. This ensures that a localized disaster does not affect both the primary and backup locations.
Practical Examples
To illustrate, consider the following scenarios:
Natural Disasters: In the event of a fire, flood, or earthquake that impacts your primary location, having backups stored offsite ensures that your data can be recovered and business operations can continue.
Cyber Security Incidents: If a localized cyber attack compromises your primary systems, offsite backups provide a secure copy of your data that can be restored to mitigate the impact.
Steps to Implement Control Requirement 5.6.2.4
Identify Backup Needs: Determine what data and systems need to be backed up and how frequently. Consider factors such as the importance of the data and the frequency of changes.
Choose an Offsite Location: Select a secure offsite location for storing backups. This could be a data center, cloud storage, or another facility that is physically separate from your primary site.
Schedule Regular Backups: Establish a schedule for regular backups to ensure that the most up-to-date data is protected. This could involve daily, weekly, or monthly backups depending on your organization’s needs.
Test Recovery Processes: Regularly test your recovery processes to ensure that backups can be efficiently restored in the event of a disaster. This includes verifying the integrity of the backups and the effectiveness of the recovery procedures.
Document and Review: Keep detailed records of your backup schedules, offsite locations, and recovery tests. Regularly review and update these records to ensure they remain aligned with your organization’s needs and any changes in the business environment.
Benefits of Offsite Backup Storage
Implementing control requirement 5.6.2.4 from CAN DGSI 104 offers several benefits:
Enhanced Data Protection: Offsite backups provide an additional layer of security, ensuring that your data is protected even in the event of a disaster.
Operational Continuity: Having backups stored offsite helps maintain the continuity of your business operations, minimizing disruptions caused by data loss or system failures.
Compliance: Adhering to this control requirement ensures compliance with industry standards and regulations, which often mandate robust data protection measures.
Conclusion
Control requirement 5.6.2.4 from CAN/DGSI 104:2021 Rev 1 2024 is all about storing backups at a fully offsite location at regular intervals to provide diversity in the event of a disaster. By identifying backup needs, choosing a secure offsite location, scheduling regular backups, and testing recovery processes, you can protect your data and maintain operational continuity. Contact us today to get started on your certification journey!
