Episode 46 — Secure backups, restoration, and disaster recovery pathways
This episode explains why backups and disaster recovery are often the quiet place where PCI control boundaries break, and why the ISA exam expects you to evaluate backup security with the same rigor as production systems. You’ll define backup scope by identifying what is backed up, where it is stored, who can access it, and how long it is retained, then connect those decisions to data minimization and the risk of storing account data longer than necessary. We’ll cover core security expectations such as encryption, access restriction, separation of duties, logging, and integrity checks, then discuss restoration processes because backups only matter when you can safely restore without reintroducing malware, misconfigurations, or unauthorized access. You’ll learn what evidence demonstrates backup control strength, including backup job reports, retention policies, access logs, encryption settings, and restore test records that show the process actually works. Troubleshooting scenarios will include backups stored in shared buckets, overly broad admin access, missing restores for critical systems, and DR plans that assume network paths or credentials that no longer exist, along with practical steps to fix weaknesses before they become incidents. Produced by BareMetalCyber.com, where you’ll find more cyber audio courses, books, and information to strengthen your educational path. Also, if you want to stay up to date with the latest news, visit DailyCyber.News for a newsletter you can use, and a daily podcast you can commute with.
