The escalating threat of ransomware poses a significant challenge to small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) in Australia and New Zealand (ANZ). Statistics reveal that a substantial percentage of these businesses have experienced cyberattacks, with ransomware being a prominent concern.
This comprehensive guide explores fundamental backup practices that every business should implement before considering more advanced managed service provider solutions, providing a roadmap for organisations to develop cyber resilience regardless of their technical expertise or budget constraints.
By understanding both basic backup principles and the path toward more sophisticated protection, ANZ businesses can significantly reduce their vulnerability to the increasingly sophisticated ransomware landscape that has made this region a prime target for cybercriminals worldwide.
The ANZ ransomware crisis
Small and medium businesses across Australia and New Zealand are experiencing ransomware attacks at unprecedented rates, creating a crisis for organizations unprepared for recovery. A comprehensive global survey of managed service providers (MSPs) revealed that a staggering 91% of MSPs report ransomware attacks against SMBs in Australia and New Zealand over the past two years, representing the highest attack rate globally.
The financial implications of these attacks can be substantial, with many businesses facing operational disruptions and some even paying ransom demands. For many ANZ small businesses operating on tight margins, such costs can prove insurmountable, explaining why studies indicate that approximately 60% of small businesses that suffer major data loss without adequate recovery capabilities end up closing within six months.
The threat landscape is evolving, with concerns rising about AI-generated cyberattacks, further emphasising the need for robust security measures at all levels. Even with security measures in place, the human element remains a critical factor, as employee awareness and behaviour play a significant role in a business’s cybersecurity posture.
Therefore, a multi-faceted approach that includes foundational backup practices is vital for SMBs to enhance their resilience against ransomware attacks.
DIY backup steps for ANZ SMBs
Implementing the 3-2-1 backup rule
For ANZ SMBs aiming to strengthen their data protection before investing in managed solutions, starting with a DIY approach can go a long way. A practical and cost-effective starting point is the 3-2-1 backup rule:
- Three copies of data: Keep your a copy of original files on your business system, with one local backup on an external drive (like a USB or SSD), and one off-site in the cloud (e.g., Google Drive or OneDrive).
- Two different storage types: Using both physical and cloud storage protects against device-specific failures.
- One copy off-site: Ensures you’re protected even if something happens at your primary location.
This setup doesn’t rely on sophisticated infrastructure—just smart redundancy. It’s essential to first identify what data needs backing up (customer info, financials, operational files, IP), then set a consistent backup schedule.
While manual backups can be a starting point, automating the backup process to both the offsite drive and cloud drive is recommended to minimise human error and ensure consistency.
Testing: The crucial step many organisations skip
Even the best backup systems fail without effective recovery, making regular testing essential. Organisations often uncover issues only during crises, when options and time are limited. Small businesses can adopt a minimal viable testing approach by restoring one random file monthly from each backup source.
This simple practice quickly verifies recovery functionality and helps detect problems like media degradation or permission issues early.
Testing should go beyond basic file restoration checks to include periodic process validation by different team members.
At least quarterly, someone other than the primary backup administrator should attempt file restoration using only documented procedures. Occasionally, tests should also cover more complex application data recovery. This approach identifies gaps in documentation, permissions, or procedural knowledge, improving resilience without significant extra resources.
Documenting test results—including files restored, personnel involved, duration, and issues encountered—establishes a continuous improvement loop. Problems should be investigated, resolved, and procedures updated accordingly. For small businesses, maintaining these logs securely and accessibly ensures continuity even if key staff change.
Regular testing also builds psychological resilience, reducing panic during actual incidents. Organisations become familiar with recovery processes, enabling calm and confident responses, particularly critical for ANZ small businesses facing frequent ransomware attacks.
Clear backup labelling for rapid recovery
Clearly labelled backups simplify recovery after ransomware attacks. SMBs should consistently label backups with creation dates (e.g., YYYYMMDD) on USB drives and Google Drive folders, adding “PreAttack” for verified clean backups predating known incidents. Maintaining a log matching backup dates to their content further speeds recovery, minimising downtime and data loss.
Advancing beyond basics with professional solutions
Foundational backup practices are essential, but ANZ SMBs seeking enhanced protection against ransomware can leverage professional solutions offered by IT First Responder. We provide seamless integration with advanced technologies such as Acronis Cyber Protect Cloud, which offers continuous data protection by capturing data changes in real-time. This significantly reduces the risk of data loss compared to traditional backups. Additionally, Acronis uses blockchain technology to create tamper-proof, immutable backups, ensuring secure recovery even if primary systems are compromised.
For businesses heavily reliant on Microsoft 365, we offer specialised cloud-to-cloud backup solutions that close critical protection gaps. These solutions capture data frequently—as often as every ten minutes—dramatically minimising potential data loss. Unlike Microsoft’s native retention policies, our backups are stored in immutable formats, offering secure recovery even weeks after an attack.
Further enhancing protection, IT First Responder provides proactive monitoring through Security Operations Center (SOC) services. SOC monitoring detects ransomware activities early, enabling swift containment before significant damage occurs. Solutions like Acronis Cyber Protect integrate threat detection, anti-malware, and backup capabilities into one cohesive platform, strengthening overall cybersecurity posture.
💪🏼 Ready to upgrade your backup capabilities? Let’s talk.