implementing-ransomware-backup-strategy

name	implementing-ransomware-backup-strategy
description	Use when designs and implements a ransomware-resilient backup strategy following the 3-2-1-1-0 methodology (3 copies, 2 media types, 1 offsite, 1 immutable/air-gapped, 0 errors on restore verification). Configures backup schedules aligned to RPO/RTO requirements, implements backup credential isolation to prevent ransomware from compromising backup infrastructure, and establishes automated restore testing.
domain	cybersecurity
tags	["ransomware","backup","incident-response","defense","recovery","immutable-storage"]
subdomain	ransomware-defense
version	1.0.0
author	oyi77
license	Apache-2.0
nist_ai_rmf	["MEASURE-2.7","MAP-5.1","MANAGE-2.4","MANAGE-3.1","MEASURE-3.1"]
atlas_techniques	["AML.T0070","AML.T0066","AML.T0082"]
nist_csf	["PR.DS-11","RS.MA-01","RC.RP-01","PR.IR-01"]

Implementing Ransomware Backup Strategy

Overview

Cybersecurity skill for implementing ransomware backup strategy. Follows industry best practices and security standards.

When to Use

Trigger phrases:

• "implementing ransomware backup strategy"

• "Designs and implements a ransomware-resilient backup strategy following the 3-2-"

• Designing backup architecture that withstands ransomware encryption and deletion attempts

• Migrating from traditional backup to ransomware-resilient backup with immutable storage

• Establishing RPO/RTO targets for critical systems and validating them through restore testing

• Isolating backup credentials and infrastructure from the production Active Directory domain

• Meeting cyber insurance requirements for backup resilience and tested recovery capabilities

Do not use as a substitute for endpoint protection, network segmentation, or incident response planning. Backups are a last line of defense, not a primary prevention control.

When NOT to Use

• When you lack proper authorization for testing
• For production systems without change management
• When the task requires legal or compliance expertise beyond technical scope

Prerequisites

• Inventory of critical systems, applications, and data classified by business impact (Tier 1/2/3)
• Defined RPO (Recovery Point Objective) and RTO (Recovery Time Objective) per tier
• Backup software supporting immutable repositories (Veeam 12+, Commvault, Rubrik, Cohesity)
• Isolated backup network segment or air-gapped storage infrastructure
• Separate backup admin credentials not joined to the production AD domain

Workflow

# Example: IOC detection
import re

IOC_PATTERNS = {
    "ip": r"\b(?:\d{1,3}\.){3}\d{1,3}\b",
    "domain": r"\b[a-z0-9-]+\.[a-z]{2,}\b",
    "hash_md5": r"\b[a-f0-9]{32}\b",
    "hash_sha256": r"\b[a-f0-9]{64}\b",
}

def extract_iocs() -> :
     {k: re.findall(v, text)  k, v  IOC_PATTERNS.items()}