Why you need a Data Protection Strategy – yesterday

Everyone thinks their data is safe – until it isn’t. When it comes to data protection, the way MSPs think about security measures can often make or break their client’s ability to restore data when they need it. 

Today, we regularly hear news about the latest data breach of massive multinational companies, with hundreds to thousands of customers affected. But many businesses don’t view those types of attacks as something that can happen to them.

Ann Westerheim, Founder of Ekaru, said that many smaller organizations don’t think they are as likely to be victims of a cyber attack because they aren’t massive companies. No one will know about them, right?

Unfortunately, that’s not the case. Smaller businesses often suffer data breaches, but they are too small to make the news, so you don’t hear about it, Westerheim said.

This effect has even been backed up by the Insurance Bureau of Canada’s 2023 Cyber Security Survey, which reported that 60% of small businesses think they are too small to be attacked.

That’s why, regardless of your company’s size, you need a data protection strategy to keep your data safe.

What is a Data Protection Strategy?

A Data Protection Strategy is a standard operating procedure that outlines how you manage and protect your clients’ data across different environments. This comprehensive plan details your methods, tools, and processes to ensure data integrity, availability, and security. It encompasses everything from data backups to disaster recovery plans, ensuring every aspect of data management is covered.

A plan offers benefits beyond direct security improvements. Demonstrating a plan alongside compliance with security standards can make qualifying for cyber liability insurance much easier. Planning also creates an opportunity to work directly with clients, considering their business needs to develop the right plan that works for them. 

MSPs aren’t just providing a better service, they are building trust with clients and creating better relationships. Those improved relationships create a more sustainable business and make contract renewals more likely. 

Why do MSPs need one?

While many existing manual processes are good, they often fail to cover the entire spectrum of data protection in intense situations. Adapting on the fly to address emergencies frequently results in slower, more expensive solutions. Without planning, ticket volume can pile up, increasing the risk of missing critical errors. Here’s why you need a solid Data Protection Strategy:

• Comprehensive Coverage: You might miss critical backups or fail to detect errors promptly, leaving client data unprotected or being too slow to fix problems. Planning for and automating these processes ensures more reliable data safeguarding, closing potential security vulnerabilities before they can be exploited.
• Reduced Risk: Missing crucial backups means client data is unaccounted for, exposing them to potential data loss. This jeopardizes your clients’ operations and puts your MSP at risk of liability, client loss, or litigation.
• Efficiency and Accuracy: A concrete plan for data protection processes ensures that all backups are accounted for and discrepancies are caught early. This reduces the chance of human error and frees up your team to focus on more strategic tasks. You don’t need to scramble in an emergency because you’ve planned for security breach scenarios. 

How to Implement a Data Protection Strategy

Implementing a Data Protection Strategy doesn’t have to be daunting. Here are a few tips to get you started:

• Audit your existing data recovery process: Assess your security and backup procedures. Identify any weak points or areas where backups consistently fail or are not reported. Be sure your MSP can quickly and accurately track the status of backups and other data security measures.
• Identify Gaps: Once you’ve audited your process, pinpoint where the gaps lie. Look for backups that aren’t being reported or are failing regularly. These are the areas where data is most at risk. Develop a response plan in the event of different data loss scenarios to create a faster recovery process
• Implement and Automate: Introduce the update plan and processes to your MSP and clients. Train staff to adhere to new security policies. Backup monitoring software, like Backup Radar, can automate manual processes quickly and accurately, letting staff focus on more significant work. Regularly test your data recovery plan to make sure it works. 

Backup Radar is designed to streamline and automate your backup monitoring, reducing the manual workload and increasing reliability. By automating backup monitoring, you can ensure that every backup is accounted for, discrepancies are identified and resolved promptly, and your client’s data remains secure. 

A robust Data Protection Strategy isn’t just an option, it’s a necessity. By implementing a comprehensive, automated approach to data protection, you can mitigate risks, enhance client trust, and secure your MSP’s future. 

Don’t wait until it’s too late – start building your Data Protection Strategy today.

Learn more about how Backup Radar can help you safeguard your clients’ data and streamline your data protection processes. Watch an on-demand demo of how Backup Radar works today.