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Backup Strategy

What is Backup Strategy?

A documented plan defining what data is backed up, how frequently, where backups are stored, and how they are tested and restored.

Information Security

Terms that appear alongside backup strategy

Each of these is named in at least one of the same controls as backup strategy. The number is how many controls name both.

Frameworks that govern backup strategy

ISO 27001:2022View framework →NIST Cybersecurity Framework 2.0View framework →CIS Controls v8View framework →

What the standards actually require on backup strategy

Requirements naming backup strategy across 5 standards, quoted from the control text.

IAEA Nuclear Security Series - Computer Security at Nuclear Facilities (NSS-17-T Rev 1)1 control

NSS-17 + NSS-42-G require continuous monitoring + detection + incident response + recovery aligned with CSL. Logging: all CBS log security-relevant events (authentication + authorization + privileged action + configuration change + network connection + system...

IAEA-NSS17-Detect-Monitor-Logging-IR-Recovery-Exercises · IAEA NSS-17 - Detection + Monitoring + Logging + Incident Response + Recovery + Computer Security Exercises →
MARS-E1 control

Implement NIST 800-53 CP Contingency Planning + MP Media Protection + SI System and Information Integrity families per MARS-E v2.0. Contingency Planning with Business Impact Analysis (BIA) + Recovery Time Objective (RTO) of 24 hours for Exchange consumer-facin...

MARS-E-Contingency-Media-Protection-System-Integrity-CP-MP-SI-Families-DR-COOP-Encryption-Sanitization · MARS-E Contingency + Media Protection + System Integrity + CP + MP + SI Families + DR + COOP →
Monetary Authority of Singapore Technology Risk Management Guidelines1 control

The FI should have a system and data backup strategy and plan for regular backups; a policy for the backup data life cycle (frequency, retention, storage mechanisms, secure destruction); periodic restoration tests to validate procedures;

monetary-authority-of-singapore-technology-risk-management-guidelines::8.4 · 8.4 System Backup and Recovery →
NIST Special Publication 800-34 Revision 1, Contingency Planning Guide for Federal Information Systems1 control

Identify preventive controls and develop recovery strategies per NIST SP 800-34 Rev 1 Section 3.3 (Identify Preventive Controls) + Section 3.4 (Create Contingency Strategies).

NISTSP34-3 · Preventive Controls and Recovery Strategies: Backup, Alternate Sites, Equipment →
New Zealand Information Security Manual (NZISM)1 control

When agencies plan disaster recovery tests under 6.4.6 (Backup strategy), they must include tests of any data recovery processes that are specific to cloud.

new-zealand-information-security-manual-nzism::23.4.12.C.02 · 23.4.12.C.02 Test cloud-specific data recovery processes →

Questions people ask about backup strategy

What is Backup Strategy?
A documented plan defining what data is backed up, how frequently, where backups are stored, and how they are tested and restored.
Why is Backup Strategy important for compliance?
Backup Strategy is a key concept in Information Security. Understanding backup strategy helps organizations meet regulatory requirements, reduce risk, and demonstrate due diligence during audits. Our compliance platform maps 1,016 frameworks with 316K cross-framework control mappings.
Which compliance frameworks address Backup Strategy?
Backup Strategy appears in the requirement text of IAEA Nuclear Security Series - Computer Security at Nuclear Facilities (NSS-17-T Rev 1), MARS-E, Monetary Authority of Singapore Technology Risk Management Guidelines, NIST Special Publication 800-34 Revision 1, Contingency Planning Guide for Federal Information Systems, New Zealand Information Security Manual (NZISM). Across these standards we have identified 5 controls that name it directly, each linked to the control text on the compliance platform.
Where can I learn more about Backup Strategy?
Explore our compliance framework pages to see how backup strategy applies across different standards and regulations. Our implementation guides provide step-by-step guidance, and the compliance platform offers AI-powered analysis of how this concept maps across 1,016 frameworks.

See how Backup Strategy applies across compliance frameworks

Our platform maps 1,016 frameworks with 316K cross-framework control mappings. Explore how this concept is addressed across standards.

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Written and maintained by Gerard Blokdyk, The Art of Service.