The EU Cloud Exit - Backup Strategies for Digital Sovereignty
The EU cloud exit movement is reshaping how European organizations think about data storage and sovereignty. Companies across Europe are moving away from US-based cloud providers like Microsoft 365, AWS, and Google Workspace due to concerns about the Cloud Act and data privacy regulations.In this episode, Curtis and Prasanna explore the backup implications of this major shift. They discuss the challenges of replacing comprehensive platforms like Microsoft 365 with multiple EU-based providers, the complexities of bringing services back in-house, and why the 3-2-1 backup rule becomes even more critical during these transitions.Whether organizations choose local providers or decide to self-host their infrastructure, data protection remains paramount. The hosts share real-world examples of failed backup strategies, including the Rackspace Exchange disaster and OVH's data center fire, to illustrate why third-party backup solutions are necessary regardless of your hosting choice.
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36:58
What Is an Air Gap Backup? Real Protection vs Marketing
Air gap has become one of the most overused and misunderstood terms in backup and recovery. In this episode, W. Curtis Preston and Prasanna explore what air gap really means, tracing its origins from the days when everyone used tape storage to modern virtual implementations. They discuss how true air gap required physical separation - tapes stored offsite at facilities like Iron Mountain - and why this gold standard is nearly impossible to achieve with today's connected backup systems.The conversation covers modern alternatives including immutable storage, IAM-based protection, and simulated air gaps that disconnect network connections when not actively replicating. Curtis and Prasanna explain why ransomware has made air gap more important than ever, and provide practical guidance for evaluating vendor claims about air gap capabilities in cloud and hybrid environments.
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33:32
Largest Data Breach in History: What You Need to Know
The largest data breach in recent memory has exposed 16 billion login credentials across multiple databases, and we're here to help you understand what it means for your security. This massive exposure involves data stolen primarily through infostealer malware rather than a single company breach.Join W. Curtis Preston, Dr. Mike Saylor, and Prasanna Malaiyandi as they break down this complex security incident. Learn why this largest data breach is actually a compilation of stolen credentials from various sources, how infostealer malware works, and why your browsing habits might be putting you at risk. The team discusses practical security measures including proper browser hygiene, multi-factor authentication best practices, and password management strategies. Mike shares eye-opening insights about session security and why having multiple browser tabs open during sensitive activities could compromise your accounts. Get actionable advice on protecting yourself from the fallout of this massive credential exposure.
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48:45
How do you make a snapshot backup?
This episode breaks down snapshot backup fundamentals, covering the key differences between traditional storage snapshots and cloud-based approaches. Curtis and Prasanna explain copy-on-write versus redirect-on-write methods, performance implications, and why some snapshot systems can degrade performance by up to 50%.Learn about NetApp's redirect-on-write innovation, VMware's unique approach, and how AWS "snapshots" are actually more like traditional backups. The hosts discuss critical concepts like read-only snapshot properties, storage space management, and the importance of copying snapshots to create true backups that follow the 3-2-1 rule.Whether you're managing traditional storage arrays or cloud infrastructure, this episode provides practical guidance on turning snapshots into effective backup strategies. Topics include performance optimization, immutable storage considerations, and real-world implementation challenges that every IT professional faces.
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Human error: Why We Backup
Human error has replaced hardware failures as the primary driver of data loss and restore operations in modern IT environments. This episode explores real-world examples of how both end users and administrators create the need for backup and recovery operations through accidental deletions, configuration mistakes, and poor processes. W. Curtis Preston shares war stories from his decades in the industry, including incidents involving accidental directory deletions, source code stored in temporary folders, and tape library disasters. The discussion covers how technology improvements like RAID and solid-state drives have made hardware more reliable, shifting the focus to human-related incidents. The hosts also examine insider threats and the importance of implementing proper controls around privileged access. Learn why understanding human error patterns is critical for designing effective backup and recovery strategies that account for the reality of how data actually gets lost.
Formerly known as "Restore it All," The Backup Wrap-up podcast turns unappreciated backup admins into cyber recovery heroes. After a brief analysis of backup-related news, each episode dives deep into one topic that you can use to better protect your organization from data loss, be it from accidents, disasters, or ransomware.
The Backup Wrap-up is hosted by W. Curtis Preston (Mr. Backup) and his co-host Prasanna Malaiyandi. Curtis' passion for backups began over 30 years ago when his employer, a $35B bank, lost its purchasing database – and the backups he was in charge of were worthless. After miraculously not being fired, he resolved to learn everything he could about a topic most people try to get away from. His co-host, Prasanna, saw similar tragedies from the vendor side of the house and also wanted to do whatever he could to stop that from happening to others.
A particular focus lately has been the scourge of ransomware that is plaguing IT organizations across the globe. That's why in addition to backup and disaster recovery, we also touch on information security techniques you can use to protect your backup systems from ransomware. If you'd like to go from being unappreciated to being a cyber recovery hero, this is the podcast for you.
Brasil