Tech:LTO-8

LTO-8 tapes can be a valuable tool for corporate disaster recovery in the face of rising ransomware attacks due to several key factors:

Air Gap Protection: LTO tapes provide an air gap, meaning they are physically disconnected from the network. This makes them inaccessible to ransomware attacks that typically target online data. Once data is securely written to an LTO-8 tape and ejected from the drive, it becomes invisible to ransomware, offering an extra layer of protection.

Durability and Longevity: LTO tapes are known for their exceptional durability and long archival life. Under proper storage conditions, manufacturers estimate LTO tapes can last for decades without data degradation, ensuring the long-term viability of your backups.

Offline Restore Capability: In the event of a ransomware attack that compromises your primary data storage, LTO tapes provide a reliable offline source for data restoration. You can simply load the tapes into a compatible drive on a clean system and restore your data without needing to negotiate with attackers or pay for decryption keys.

Cost-Effective Archiving: LTO-8 tapes offer a cost-effective way to store large amounts of data compared to other backup solutions. This makes them a budget-friendly option for companies of all sizes, especially for archiving less frequently accessed data.

Here's a breakdown of how LTO-8 tapes can be integrated into a corporate disaster recovery plan:

• Regular Backups: Companies can implement a regular backup schedule, writing critical data to LTO-8 tapes at periodic intervals (daily, weekly, etc.). The tapes can then be stored offsite in a secure location, further minimizing the risk of loss from fire, flood, or physical theft.
• Disaster Recovery Process: The disaster recovery plan should include clear procedures for restoring data from LTO tapes in case of a ransomware attack or other disaster. This includes having compatible LTO tape drives available on a separate system that hasn't been compromised.

Additional Considerations:

• Encryption: While air-gapped storage offers protection, it's still recommended to encrypt your data before writing it to LTO tapes for an extra layer of security.
• Tape Rotation: A tape rotation strategy is crucial. Regularly rotate your LTO tapes to ensure you always have recent backups available.
• Testing and Training: It's essential to regularly test your disaster recovery plan, including restoring data from LTO tapes, to ensure its effectiveness in a real-world scenario.

By incorporating LTO-8 tapes into their disaster recovery plan, companies can significantly improve their resilience against ransomware attacks. LTO tapes offer a reliable, cost-effective, and secure way to safeguard critical data and ensure business continuity in the face of cyber threats.

See Also

• SSTD-RWx, a concept of Tape Reader with SSD and Intelligent Archiving