In today’s digital age when everything we do is dependent on reliable IT provision, having a robust backup routine for your online systems is crucial. Many businesses assume that working with IT giants like Google or Microsoft automatically ensures their data is backed up. However, this is simply not the case.
Even tech goliaths can make significant errors, as illustrated by a recent incident involving Google Cloud and UniSuper, a $135 billion Australian pension fund. Earlier this month, Google Cloud mistakenly deleted their client UniSuper's account, resulting in a two-week downtime that affected over half a million (647,000) fund members. This event underscores the vital importance of maintaining independent backups. Despite Google's stature, UniSuper had to rely on a third-party backup to restore their critical data, highlighting that no organisation is immune to such risks.
Key Points:
Independent, third-party Backups, like the ones that CJAZ set up for its clients, are essential for all your local and Cloud based data.
A robust backup routine is essential for all your systems whether they are local, or cloud based.
Using an experienced IT provider with Senior Technical Consultants in charge of Private Cloud configuration is essential to client data safety.
Impact on Backups: UniSuper indicated it did not have access to Google Cloud backups and had to rely on a third-party backup, leading to a two-week recovery period.
Remediation Actions:
Automated the process, giving customers control via the user interface.
Manually reviewed all GCVE Private Clouds to ensure no other deployments were at risk.
Corrected the system behaviour to prevent similar deletions.
Google emphasised that this issue was isolated, has never happened before, and steps have been taken to prevent it from happening again.
What can we learn from this scenario?
The moral of the story is that even the most advanced and reputable cloud service providers can make critical errors, underscoring the importance of robust safeguards, thorough reviews, and comprehensive backup strategies.
It's essential for businesses to have contingency plans and diversified backup solutions to mitigate the impact of unexpected incidents.
Are you confident that all your systems are backed up effectively?
In short, are you confident that your business systems and data can be quickly restored in the event of a disaster?
Whether it's a cyber-attack, a configuration glitch, or another unforeseen issue, it's essential to ensure that you and your employees can swiftly resume operations. Don't leave it to chance. If you're unsure whether your current systems are being adequately backed up, please get in touch.
We'll ensure your data is kept safe and secure, and that your backups are robust enough to withstand any cyber security threats, human errors, or other disruptions. Let us help you safeguard your business continuity.
If you would like a FREE Review of your Backup routine - please call 020 3950 0360 or email nick@cjaz.co.uk