Isolated Recovery Environment for Backup Data Synchronization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current data backup and recovery systems are vulnerable to cyber security threats, as they often rely on highly connected components that do not adequately reduce attack vectors, and backup software itself is frequently targeted, leading to potential data loss and lengthy recovery procedures.
Innovation Solution
A system that securely synchronizes and manages recovery data by transferring it to an isolated recovery environment, where it is stored as immutable copies and tested before deployment, minimizing exposure through a single data connection and utilizing a sandboxed environment to verify data integrity, thus reducing the breadth of potential attack vectors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If backup systems use highly connected components for data protection, then data recovery capability is improved, but susceptibility to cyber-attacks increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides backup infrastructure into separate isolated environments (production backup environment and isolated recovery environment) that are not directly connected. This segmentation isolates the recovery data from cyber-attacks while maintaining recovery capability through controlled data transfer mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces an intermediary mechanism (single data connection with selective data transfer) between the production backup environment and isolated recovery environment. This intermediary allows necessary data synchronization while minimizing exposure to cyber threats by controlling what data crosses the boundary.
2Ease of operation
If backup software is integrated with production systems, then ease of operation is improved, but attack surface increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts the recovery environment from the production system, placing it in an isolated location. This separation removes the backup software from the direct attack surface of production systems while maintaining operational ease through automated data transfer and centralized management.
Solution Approach 2:
The system adds a spatial dimension (isolated environment) to the backup architecture, separating recovery operations from production systems physically or logically. This dimensional separation reduces attack surface while maintaining operational convenience through automated processes that bridge the two environments.
3Reliability
If recovery data is stored in isolated environment, then security is improved, but data synchronization complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements self-service mechanisms where the isolated recovery environment automatically receives and processes only the necessary data through controlled transfer. The synchronization process is automated and selective, reducing manual complexity while maintaining security through the isolated architecture.
Data Source
AI summary
Described is a system for secure management of recovery data for data protection assets such as backup data and a backup application of a production backup system. The system may provide the ability to synchronize and secure critical recovery data of an isolated recovery environment. Accordingly, the system may reduce the breadth of potential cyber security attack vectors and increase the likelihood of efficiently recovering critical data and/or applications. To provide such capabilities, the system may only activate a data connection between a production system and a recovery system when synchronizing recovery data. In addition, the system may apply a retention lock to maintain a set of immutable copies of the recovery data and may restore the recovery data to a sandboxed environment where it may be tested and verified before being deployed to the production system as part of a recovery process.