#CyberSecurityBestPractices | hashtag#ICS | hashtag#OperationalReadiness
With the increasing reliance on industrial control systems (ICS) for operational continuity, it's crucial to understand how to manage risks and ensure system resilience effectively. This guide provides critical best practices for backup and recovery strategies, offering a comprehensive approach to safeguarding your systems against disruptions:
Comprehensive Backup Procedures
Suppliers must develop and document detailed backup and recovery procedures for every system component.
This includes clear, step-by-step instructions covering the entire process—from where the backups are stored (e.g., specific servers, devices, or physical locations) to the methods used to back up and restore data.
Centralised Backup Software Usage
Utilising standardised backup software across all computing devices ensures consistency and reliability in backup processes.
Suppliers can ensure consistency and reliability in backup processes by utilising standardised backup software across all computing devices. This approach facilitates streamlined, network-based backups and recoveries, enhances efficiency and reduces the likelihood of errors during critical recovery operations, providing a sense of security.
Configuration Safeguards
Backup strategies must include specific provisions for networking equipment and embedded devices.
Configuration settings should be systematically archived to designated enterprise-wide servers or systems, ensuring they are easily accessible and secure.
Minimised Use of Removable Media
Limiting the use of removable media for backup purposes is crucial to enhance security and compliance. If its use is unavoidable, it must be meticulously documented and managed as part of the backup procedures to prevent potential data loss or breaches.
Virtual Machine Specifics
Implementing a hypervisor-based backup solution is advisable for environments using virtual machines. This solution should include documentation of any preparatory steps required before backup and subsequent actions needed for recovery, such as managing database states or application services.
By adhering to these guidelines, organisations can ensure that their industrial systems are well-protected against failures. This provides a safety net and equips them with the capability to restore normal operations swiftly and securely, instilling a sense of confidence in their operations.
hashtag#DataProtection hashtag#RiskManagement hashtag#CyberResilience hashtag#IndustrialCyberSecurity
