As we have seen the importance of Data Backup in OT/SCADA Cybersecurity through Data Backup Management, we will see how Centralized Backup Management plays a major role in backing data from a single central front. 

As the name suggests, a Centralized Backup Management System involves a centralized control and supervision of backup processes, using a central backup server or backup software to coordinate regular data backup of multiple devices at a single time

When coming to SCADA and OT System backups for Oil and Gas Industries, using device centric backup software can be complex as this will force integration of multiple backup software from different vendors. To make the scenario more complicated, many backup solutions call for software purchase from one provider and storage from another. Learning to use each product and contacting various teams for technical support can be intense. In such a scenario, a Centralized Backup Management can prove to be most beneficial.

When the amount of data to be backed up is massive, or data needs to be shared from one location to another through systems that are not capable of accepting different file formats, or where there may be different systems, servers, platforms, and devices that must be backed up, a Centralized Backup Management can prove most efficient.

Centralized Backup Management allows you to source data from backups across locations, from a centrally controlled station. With a CBM, easy visualization of systems undergoing backup, list of backed up systems, systems in line for back, issues that arose during a backup etc. is possible, enabling smoother backups and timely rectifications.

The OT/ICS/SCADA systems carry out critical missions’ day in and day out. These legacy systems through digital transformations including convergence of OT and IT stand increasingly vulnerable to cyber and malicious attacks today.

An effective recovery would be to minimize operational downtime and get running at the soonest.

With a Zero Trust Security environment, a mapped inventory of all devices on the network, and a Centralized Application Backup in place, lost / corrupted data can be restored at best. The data recovery process must be pre-planned and well-practiced to be certain of what must be done in the case of a data breach or failure.

Without having to purchase software and storage licenses for device, there are ways by which data backup can be performed.

Centralized Backup Server

A dedicated computer for multiple device backups on your network. Here a software and storage license for the server will be required but additional licenses for each device will not be required.

Network Access Storage

A NAS device offers backup software, data security, and the ability to store and backup data from multiple devices on a network.

A combination of the above approaches depending on the criticality of data and budget will serve as the basis of an effective solution for your data backup needs.