Industry & Business

Novi, the proactive managed service provider, has launched its new off-site data recovery service called AirGap following a €120,000 investment. The service will enable Novi’s customers to safeguard their data, providing them with business continuity back-up and ensuring against data compromise or loss. The investment includes development of new infrastructure and enhanced security.

Novi provides flexible managed security to help businesses protect their data from constantly evolving threats. The launch of these new services is a direct response to the threat posed by cybercrime to Irish organisations and, in particular, the increasing sophistication of ransomware attacks. The services will enable businesses to recover quickly in the event of a ransomware attack.

As well as this, the impending General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) will require companies to regularly back up their data and ensure the ability to recover this data in a timely manner. With the new legislation set to come into force in less than one year’s time, companies need to implement these safeguards now, and AirGap will aid companies in complying with this part of the legislation.

AirGap is a managed service that takes snapshots of customers’ servers and automatically copies them to Novi’s cloud, based in an ISO 27001 certified Irish data centre. Data captured in these snapshots includes files and data, but also essential server operating systems, applications and configuration settings.

Backups can be scheduled according to individual users’ needs, and hourly, daily or weekly backups are all possible.

Most businesses back up their data on a regular basis, but the majority of these organisations rely on systems that are located on-site, and which frequently run on the same network as the computer being backed up. While this might once have been enough to safeguard sensitive business information from cybercriminals, this is no longer the case.

The latest ransomware attacks actively target on-site backup solutions, encrypting stored data and rendering the backup useless. This can leave businesses with no choice but to pay the ransoms demanded of them to regain access to their data.

AirGap provides companies with an additional layer of security, as the backup is separate to the customer’s own servers and runs on an entirely separate network. This ‘gap’ between the computer being backed up and the location of the stored data ensures that, in the event of a ransomware attack, cybercriminals cannot penetrate and corrupt this data. In the event that a company does fall victim to a ransomware attack, AirGap will allow them to quickly restore their servers to a pre-determined recovery point. All information transmitted to Novi’s servers is encrypted to further ensure that it remains secure.

George O’Dowd (pictured), managing director, Novi, said: “Novi’s launch of AirGap is a direct response to the evolving needs of our customers and the increasing sophistication of cybercrime attacks, and ransomware in particular. The data stored by companies is perhaps their most valuable asset, businesses need to do everything that they can to minimise the risk of data corruption or loss. As well as this, new Central Bank regulation as well as impending GDPR legislation will require companies to be able to provide details of their disaster recovery plans. Availing of AirGap will enable companies to outline a clear path towards getting back online while guaranteeing the security of their customers’ data.”