252 episodes

Formerly known as "Restore it All," The Backup Wrap-up podcast turns unappreciated backup admins into cyber recovery heroes. After a brief analysis of backup-related news, each episode dives deep into one topic that you can use to better protect your organization from data loss, be it from accidents, disasters, or ransomware.  

The Backup Wrap-up is hosted by W. Curtis Preston (Mr. Backup) and his co-host Prasanna Malaiyandi. Curtis' passion for backups began over 30 years ago when his employer, a $35B bank, lost its purchasing database – and the backups he was in charge of were worthless. After miraculously not being fired, he resolved to learn everything he could about a topic most people try to get away from.  His co-host, Prasanna, saw similar tragedies from the vendor side of the house and also wanted to do whatever he could to stop that from happening to others.

A particular focus lately has been the scourge of ransomware that is plaguing IT organizations across the globe.  That's why in addition to backup and disaster recovery, we also touch on information security techniques you can use to protect your backup systems from ransomware.  If you'd like to go from being unappreciated to being a cyber recovery hero, this is the podcast for you. 

The Backup Wrap-Up W. Curtis Preston (Mr. Backup)

    • Technology

Formerly known as "Restore it All," The Backup Wrap-up podcast turns unappreciated backup admins into cyber recovery heroes. After a brief analysis of backup-related news, each episode dives deep into one topic that you can use to better protect your organization from data loss, be it from accidents, disasters, or ransomware.  

The Backup Wrap-up is hosted by W. Curtis Preston (Mr. Backup) and his co-host Prasanna Malaiyandi. Curtis' passion for backups began over 30 years ago when his employer, a $35B bank, lost its purchasing database – and the backups he was in charge of were worthless. After miraculously not being fired, he resolved to learn everything he could about a topic most people try to get away from.  His co-host, Prasanna, saw similar tragedies from the vendor side of the house and also wanted to do whatever he could to stop that from happening to others.

A particular focus lately has been the scourge of ransomware that is plaguing IT organizations across the globe.  That's why in addition to backup and disaster recovery, we also touch on information security techniques you can use to protect your backup systems from ransomware.  If you'd like to go from being unappreciated to being a cyber recovery hero, this is the podcast for you. 

    Cloud Disaster Recovery: Lessons from Failures

    Cloud Disaster Recovery: Lessons from Failures

    Capping our series on cloud disasters is this one on cloud disaster recovery. In this episode, we review the lessons we learned from discussing 10 cloud disasters. We talk about the critical strategies and techniques to ensure your data is protected and recoverable in the event of a disaster in the cloud. From the basic 3-2-1 rule to the pitfalls of solely trusting your cloud provider for proper disaster recovery, we dive into real-world examples and expert insights to help you build a robust cloud disaster recovery plan for your cloud data.
    Discover the importance of regular testing, the role of third-party backup solutions, and the key considerations for choosing a reliable cloud provider. Whether you're a small business or a large enterprise, this episode provides actionable advice to enhance your cloud disaster recovery posture and maintain business continuity in the face of unexpected disruptions. Tune in now and learn how to safeguard your valuable data in the cloud era.

    • 41 min
    Life Uncontained YouTube Channel Loses Month of Footage in Crash

    Life Uncontained YouTube Channel Loses Month of Footage in Crash

    In this episode, we discuss the devastating crash experienced by the popular YouTube channel "Life Uncontained," which resulted in the loss of a month's worth of irreplaceable video footage. The Life Uncontained crash serves as a stark reminder of the importance of proper backup strategies for protecting valuable digital assets. We delve into the lessons learned from this unfortunate incident and explore the best practices for safeguarding your data from hardware failures and other potential disasters. From the 3-2-1 backup rule to the use of multiple storage media, we cover the essential steps you can take to minimize the risk of catastrophic data loss. Whether you're a content creator, business owner, or simply someone who values their digital memories, this episode provides crucial insights into the world of data protection and backup. Don't miss this opportunity to learn from the "Life Uncontained" story and fortify your own backup plan.
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fQsTs3C0T-c&ab_channel=LifeUncontained

    • 41 min
    The Disastrous Dedoose Crash: Lessons Learned

    The Disastrous Dedoose Crash: Lessons Learned

    In 2014, the cloud-based research platform Dedoose suffered a catastrophic crash, losing customer data and backups simultaneously. We examine the causes of the Dedoose crash, its impact on users, and crucial lessons for anyone relying on SaaS. Learn how subpar backup practices, like monthly-only backups and overwriting previous versions, can lead to disaster. Hear how Dedoose responded and key steps to prevent your own cloud data calamity.
    Links from this episode:
    https://www.informationweek.com/it-infrastructure/social-science-site-using-azure-loses-data#close-modal
    https://www.insidehighered.com/news/2014/05/16/dedoose-crash-shows-dangers-handing-data-cloud-services
    https://www.latimes.com/business/technology/la-fi-tn-dedoose-crash-academic-cloud-20140512-story.html
    https://www.chronicle.com/blogs/wiredcampus/hazards-of-the-cloud-data-storage-services-crash-sets-back-researchers
    https://web.archive.org/web/20230927112141/https://www.dedoose.com/blog/dedoose-update-significant-data-recovery-successful-how-to-save-a-project-locally
    https://web.archive.org/web/20140512214308/http://blog.dedoose.com/2014/05/dedooses-black-eye-crash-and-recovery-efforts/
    https://www.dedoose.com/about/security

    • 39 min
    StorageCraft Outage: Lessons from a Cloud Backup Disaster

    StorageCraft Outage: Lessons from a Cloud Backup Disaster

    In this episode, we examine the StorageCraft outage that erased customer backup data during a botched cloud migration. We compare StorageCraft's response to Carbonite's in a similar incident and discuss the critical lessons for backup vendors and customers. Learn the importance of meticulous migration processes, potential backup resiliency strategies, and what to do if your cloud backups disappear. Don't miss these vital insights to avoid cloud backup disasters and ensure your data is always recoverable.
    Stories covering this outage:
    https://www.crn.com/slide-shows/storage/arcserve-ceo-storagecraft-backup-data-loss-not-acceptable
    https://www.techtarget.com/searchdisasterrecovery/news/252515647/StorageCraft-DRaaS-outage-highlights-layered-protection-need
    https://www.reddit.com/r/msp/comments/tgggey/just_got_a_call_from_storagecraft_cloud_data_is/
    https://blocksandfiles.com/2022/03/22/arcserve-storagecraft-operation-has-lost-customer-data/
    https://www.channele2e.com/news/arcserve-storagecraft-draas-suffers-cloud-data-protection-issues

    • 34 min
    Rackspace Ransomware Attack: Lessons Learned

    Rackspace Ransomware Attack: Lessons Learned

    In this episode, we examine the Rackspace ransomware attack that crippled the company's hosted exchange environment, affecting thousands of customers. We discuss the timeline of events, the importance of timely patching, and the challenges Rackspace faced in restoring customer data. Learn about the value of comprehensive disaster recovery plans and third-party backups in protecting your organization from similar attacks. Don't miss this opportunity to gain valuable insights from one of the most significant ransomware incidents in recent years.

    • 41 min
    The Carbonite Lawsuit: A Cloud Backup Cautionary Tale

    The Carbonite Lawsuit: A Cloud Backup Cautionary Tale

    In this episode, we uncover the troubled history of Carbonite, a once prominent cloud backup provider plagued by lawsuits. In one Carbonite lawsuit they were the plaintiff, in another they were the defendant. From using inadequate storage arrays to failing to protect customer data, Carbonite's story serves as a warning for backup customers. Learn the importance of thoroughly vetting backup vendors and the risks of blindly trusting marketing claims. Don't miss this deep dive into Carbonite's multi-million dollar legal battles and valuable lessons for anyone relying on cloud backup services.
    Stories discussed in this episode:https://backupcentral.com/carbonite-liar/https://archive.nytimes.com/pogue.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/01/27/carbonite-stacks-the-deck-on-amazon/https://www.theregister.com/2009/03/23/carbonite_sues_promise/https://www.backblaze.com/blog/carbonite-data-loss-reports-miss-the-point/https://www.datacenterknowledge.com/archives/2009/03/23/carbonite-lawsuit-reveals-data-losshttps://www.datacenterknowledge.com/archives/2009/03/25/more-on-carbonites-data-losshttps://archive.nytimes.com/pogue.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/01/27/carbonite-stacks-the-deck-on-amazon/https://www.computerworld.com/article/2481289/carbonite-loses-7-500-customers--files--ouch-.htmlhttps://techcrunch.com/2009/01/03/journalspace-drama-all-data-lost-without-backup-company-deadpooled/https://archive.nytimes.com/bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/09/11/carbonite-steps-up-the-competition-in-online-back-up/?scp=1&sq=mozy&st=cse&apage=2#commentshttps://www.cnet.com/tech/tech-industry/carbonite-sues-hardware-maker-reseller/​​https://fingfx.thomsonreuters.com/gfx/legaldocs/byprkkkozve/01312024carbonite.pdf

    • 45 min

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