245 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
    • 4.7 • 23 Ratings

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. 

    KPMG Blunder Proves Microsoft 365 Needs Backup (Cloud Disasters)

    KPMG Blunder Proves Microsoft 365 Needs Backup (Cloud Disasters)

    In this shocking episode of The Backup Wrap-up, we delve into the jaw-dropping data loss disaster that struck global consulting giant KPMG at the height of the 2020 pandemic. With one errant click, a Microsoft 365 admin accidentally wiped out months of critical Teams chat data for a staggering 145,000 employees.
    Join host W. Curtis Preston as he unravels this extraordinary tale of digital destruction and explores the crucial lessons it holds for organizations relying on Microsoft 365 and other SaaS platforms. Curtis breaks down the differences between retention policies and actual backups, exposes common misconceptions about cloud provider data protection responsibilities, and highlights the potential legal and compliance nightmares that can arise from such catastrophic data loss.
    If you're using Microsoft 365 or any SaaS application, you can't afford to miss this vital wake-up call. Tune in to discover why a robust third-party backup strategy is essential, no matter how big your company or how reliable your cloud provider seems. Learn from KPMG's misfortune and ensure your organization's critical data is always protected, in the cloud and beyond.
    Don't become the next cautionary tale – listen now and secure your SaaS data before it's too late!
    Mentioned in this episode:
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    • 40 min
    OVHCloud Dumpster Fire (Cloud Disasters)

    OVHCloud Dumpster Fire (Cloud Disasters)

    In this important episode of the Backup Wrap-up, W. Curtis Preston, AKA Mr. Backup, takes you on a deep dive into the shocking story of the OVHCloud data center fire of 2021. This catastrophic event left hundreds of customers scrambling to recover their precious data (often without backups), exposing the startling truth about OVHCloud's data center and backup practices and the devastating consequences of misplaced trust in cloud providers.
    As usual, Curtis is joined by co-host Prasanna Malaiyandi as they unravel the complex web of controversial decisions, legal battles, and hard lessons learned from this disastrous incident. They explore the factors contributing to the fire's severity, the staggering extent of the data loss, and the eye-opening revelations about OVHCloud's backup infrastructure.
    But this episode is more than just a cautionary tale. Curtis and Prasanna delve into the crucial questions every organization must ask their cloud provider to ensure their data is truly secure. They share invaluable insights and actionable advice to help you avoid falling victim to a similar fate.
    Whether you're an IT professional responsible for safeguarding your company's data or an individual looking to protect your digital life, this episode is a must-listen. You'll come away with a deeper understanding of the risks associated with cloud storage, the importance of robust backup strategies, and the steps you can take to become a cyber-recovery hero.
    Don't miss this opportunity to learn from one of the most significant cloud disasters in recent history. Tune in now and discover how you can keep your data out of the fire and emerge as an unsung hero in the world of backup and recovery.
    Articles covering this story:
    https://www.datacenterdynamics.com/en/news/ovh-fire-octave-klaba-says-ups-systems-were-ablaze/
    https://www.datacenterdynamics.com/en/news/fire-could-cost-ovhcloud-105-million-ipo-filing-reveals/
    https://www.datacenterdynamics.com/en/news/ovhcloud-ordered-to-pay-250k-to-two-customers-who-lost-data-in-strasbourg-data-center-fire/
    https://www.datacenterdynamics.com/en/news/ovhcloud-fire-report-sbg2-data-center-had-wooden-ceilings-no-extinguisher-and-no-power-cut-out/
    Election worker episode:
    https://www.backupwrapup.com/election-poll-site-manager-explains-us-election-systems/
    Mentioned in this episode:
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    • 36 min
    Cloud disasters: Musey deletes their own company!

    Cloud disasters: Musey deletes their own company!

    In this episode, we uncover the little-known but cautionary tale of Musey, a startup building an interior design app that catastrophically lost everything when an admin accidentally deleted their entire Google Workspace account.
    We dive deep into:
    How a single slip-up by an admin led to over $1.5 million of intellectual property stored in Google Drive getting instantly wiped outMusey's desperate attempts to get their data back by contacting Google and even filing a lawsuitHow not even the cloud giants like Google have an obligation to restore customer data lost due to error or malfeasanceWhy you absolutley need independent backups of cloud data instead of blindly trusting sync and retention policies
    The devastating story of Musey serves as a sobering reminder that human error can still trump even the most resilient cloud platforms. Don’t miss this rare peek behind the curtain at a colossal cloud failure that very few people know about.
    Story: https://www.theregister.com/2019/07/05/musey_v_google_lawsuit/
    Lawsuit filed: https://regmedia.co.uk/2019/07/05/musey_v_google.pdf
    Lawsuit pulled: https://dockets.justia.com/docket/california/candce/4:2019cv03864/344456
    Museyapp.com 6/6/19 says “buy this domain”:
    https://web.archive.org/web/20190606022957/http://www.museyapp.com/
    Mentioned in this episode:
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    • 25 min
    Cloud catastrophes: Codespaces.com deleted out of existence

    Cloud catastrophes: Codespaces.com deleted out of existence

    In 2014, software-as-a-service company Code Spaces disappeared overnight after a devastating cyber attack. Thousands of coders lost access to their work when insufficient cloud backups failed under pressure. The company was forced to go out of business.
    Learn the tragic tale of how Code Spaces ignored standard data protection rules, putting their business and clients at risk. We’ll unpack what went wrong with their cloud architecture and backup systems, allowing a single hacker to destroy their SaaS company.
    Understand why you still need backup - even native cloud redundancy isn't enough. Our hosts explore the hard lessons from this cloud catastrophe and equip you with actionable advice around security, access controls, preparation, and backup policies. Safeguard your slice of the cloud and avoid the mistakes that ultimately shuttered Code Spaces.
    Articles covering this story:
    https://www.esecurityplanet.com/networks/code-spaces-destroyed-by-cyber-attack/https://www.itgovernance.co.uk/blog/the-attack-that-forced-code-spaces-out-of-business-what-went-wronghttps://www.breaches.cloud/incidents/codespaces/https://threatpost.com/hacker-puts-hosting-service-code-spaces-out-of-business/106761/https://thehackernews.com/2014/06/cyber-attack-on-code-spaces-puts.htmlhttps://www.csoonline.com/article/547518/disaster-recovery-code-spaces-forced-to-close-its-doors-after-security-incident.htmlhttps://blogs.manageengine.com/it-security/passwordmanagerpro/2014/08/20/code-spaces-aws-security-breach-a-sad-reminder-of-the-importance-of-cloud-environment-password-management.html
    Mentioned in this episode:
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    • 35 min
    Crafting the Perfect Disaster Recovery Runbook

    Crafting the Perfect Disaster Recovery Runbook

    In this information-packed episode, backup guru W. Curtis Preston and expert guest Prasanna Malaiyandi explore the elements of crafting an effective disaster recovery (DR) runbook. They discuss how a properly structured runbook eliminates confusion during crises by clearly outlining responsibilities and contacts. From making runbooks accessible and absorbed to keeping them actionable with constant updates and tests, they share the 8 critical factors for DR success. Tune in to transform your backup admins into confident cyber recovery heroes with battle-tested runbooks.
    Mentioned in this episode:
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    • 39 min
    To DRaaS or Not to DRaaS? Comparing Disaster Recovery Approaches

    To DRaaS or Not to DRaaS? Comparing Disaster Recovery Approaches

    Disaster lurks around every corner - ransomware, natural disasters, human errors. Are you thinking about all the data and systems at risk. Is your organization prepared?
    In this episode, Curtis and Prasanna pull back the curtain on the disaster recovery decision - to build or to buy? They unpack the tradeoffs around cost, complexity, control, and even cybersecurity. Whether you're an anxious IT leader losing sleep over business continuity or just disaster recovery curious, you won't want to miss this episode.
    Will your DR strategy survive? Tune in now to find out!
    Mentioned in this episode:
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    • 38 min

Customer Reviews

4.7 out of 5
23 Ratings

23 Ratings

thEbéstcustömer ,

Insightful and entertaining

They are shedding light on a very crucial part of business that doesn’t seem to get enough attention. Cyber attacks are only ramping up more, and backup is only going to become more important.

Plus they make a “boring” topic entertaining which can be tough!

SP987456 ,

Really educational, they make me think!

These guys make me think every episode. Well worth the time!

andymerritt ,

Glad this podcast exists!

I’m very glad that there is a backup focused podcast. I am a backup and recovery administrator and it’s really nice to find a source of information I can learn from. Not only is this podcast informative, it’s also entertaining! Highly recommended!

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