{"id":31745,"date":"2026-10-26T07:00:05","date_gmt":"2026-10-26T06:00:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/smecyberinsights.co.uk\/?p=31745"},"modified":"2026-10-20T14:47:27","modified_gmt":"2026-10-20T12:47:27","slug":"backup-mistakes-ransomware-smes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/smecyberinsights.co.uk\/index.php\/2026\/10\/26\/backup-mistakes-ransomware-smes\/","title":{"rendered":"SME Cybersecurity: 7 Backup Mistakes That Leave UK SMEs Exposed to Ransomware"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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SECURUS Communications Ltd<\/strong><\/p>\n

Securus<\/a> <\/strong>is a managed communications Operator, providing next-generation network infrastructure and value added services to Managed Hosting providers and the ‘cloud generation’\u200b of enterprises. Securus<\/a> <\/strong>priority is to offer communication services that represent excellent value for money and are backed by exceptional levels of support.<\/p>\n

Contact Securus<\/strong>
\nSecurus Communications Ltd
\nStation Road, Landmark house, Hook, England RG27 9HA, GB
\nT: Enquiries:\u00a003451 283457<\/span><\/a>\u00a0| Service Desk: 03451 283458<\/a>
\nSecurus on LinkedIn<\/a> | Securus on “X”<\/a> | https:\/\/securuscomms.com<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t

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Gibraltar:\u00a0 Monday, 26 October 2026 \u2013 07:00 CET<\/p>\n

SME Cybersecurity: 7 Backup Mistakes That Leave UK SMEs Exposed to Ransomware
\n<\/strong>By: Iain Fraser<\/a>\u00a0\u2013\u00a0Cybersecurity Journalist
\n<\/a>Published in Collaboration with:
\nSecurus Communications Ltd
\n<\/a>SMECyberInsights.co.uk<\/a>\u00a0– First for SME Cybersecurity
\n<\/a>Google Indexed on: CET | SERPS: LLM(AI) Google
\n#CyberJourno #CyberEssentials #CyberResilience #CyberSafe #CyberSecurity\u00a0 #NCSC #SME #SMECyberInsights #SMECybersecurity #Ransomware #Backups<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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What Backup Mistakes Leave Small Businesses Exposed to Ransomware?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Small businesses remain exposed to ransomware when backups are incomplete, connected to compromised systems, poorly protected or never tested. A successful backup is not enough. Your business needs recoverable copies of its critical data, protected against unauthorised deletion and tested regularly. Reviewing your backup arrangements now helps reduce downtime, data loss and the cost of recovering from a Cybersecurity incident.<\/p>\n

Is Your SME Backup Strategy Strong Enough to Survive a Ransomware Attack?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Many small businesses assume their data is safe because they use cloud storage, copy files to an external hard drive or pay for an automated backup service.<\/p>\n

These measures help, but they do not guarantee recovery.<\/p>\n

Ransomware criminals increasingly target backup systems as well as live business data. If attackers encrypt your files and destroy or compromise your backups, restoring normal operations becomes far more difficult.<\/p>\n

The NCSC recommends regular backups, offline copies, different storage locations and routine restoration tests. Its guidance also highlights the importance of protecting backup systems against unauthorised access and deletion.<\/p>\n

Here are seven common backup mistakes your SME needs to address.<\/p>\n

Seven Backup Mistakes That Put Your Business at Risk<\/strong><\/p>\n

1. Keeping Every Backup Connected to Your Network<\/strong><\/p>\n

An external hard drive permanently connected to a computer or network storage device accessible to everyone might appear convenient. However, ransomware that compromises the connected system might also reach the backup.<\/p>\n

What your SME should do:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Keep at least one backup copy offline or isolated from your main network. Disconnect removable backup drives when they are not in use and store them securely away from your premises where practical.<\/p>\n

For cloud backups, check whether your provider offers isolation, immutable storage or controls that prevent attackers from deleting existing backup copies.<\/p>\n

2. Assuming Cloud Storage Is a Complete Backup Solution<\/strong><\/p>\n

Cloud storage provides useful protection against some forms of data loss, but synchronisation is not the same as an independent backup.<\/p>\n

If ransomware encrypts or corrupts files on your computer, a synchronised cloud service might propagate those changes. Shared accounts or compromised administrator credentials might also give attackers access to stored data.<\/p>\n

What your SME should do:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Check whether your cloud service retains previous file versions and allows you to restore them. Confirm how long deleted or altered files remain recoverable.<\/p>\n

Consider a separate backup service with independent access controls and retention settings. Do not assume that having your files in Microsoft 365, Google Workspace or another cloud platform automatically provides all the backup protection your business needs.<\/p>\n

3. Backing Up Only Some of Your Business Data<\/strong><\/p>\n

Backing up documents while overlooking email, customer records, accounting systems, shared folders or business applications creates gaps in your recovery plan.<\/p>\n

You might recover your files but still struggle to operate because essential records, configurations or application data are missing.<\/p>\n

What your SME should do:<\/strong><\/p>\n

List the systems and information your business needs to operate. Include:<\/p>\n

* Customer and supplier records.
\n* Financial and accounting information.
\n* Business email and shared documents.
\n* Website files and essential databases.
\n* Business applications and their associated data.
\n* System configurations and recovery credentials, stored securely.<\/p>\n

Prioritise the information whose loss would cause the greatest disruption. Ask your IT provider to confirm that the backup arrangements cover these systems.<\/p>\n

4. Never Testing Whether Your Backups Work<\/strong><\/p>\n

A successful backup notification confirms that a process has completed. It does not necessarily prove that you can restore the data your business needs.<\/p>\n

Files might be corrupted, important folders might be missing or recovery might take much longer than expected.<\/p>\n

What your SME should do:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Schedule regular restoration tests. Restore selected files first, then test recovery of critical systems where appropriate.<\/p>\n

Record how long each test takes and check that the recovered information is complete and usable. Arrange a full recovery exercise periodically with your IT provider.<\/p>\n

A backup is only useful if your business can recover from it.<\/p>\n

5. Using Weak Passwords and Shared Administrator Accounts<\/strong><\/p>\n

If attackers obtain administrator credentials, they might gain access to both your production systems and your backups.<\/p>\n

Using the same credentials across multiple services increases the potential damage from a compromised account.<\/p>\n

What your SME should do:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Use separate administrator accounts and credentials for backup management. Enable multi-factor authentication, particularly for accounts that can change retention settings or delete backup data.<\/p>\n

Restrict administrative access to authorised personnel and review permissions when staff change roles or leave the business.<\/p>\n

Ask your backup provider how it prevents a compromised business account from deleting every available recovery copy.<\/p>\n

6. Keeping Too Few Backup Versions<\/strong><\/p>\n

A backup created shortly before an attack might already contain compromised files or malware. If your system repeatedly overwrites older copies, you might have no clean version available.<\/p>\n

This is particularly problematic when attackers remain undetected for days or weeks.<\/p>\n

What your SME should do:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Maintain a suitable history of backup versions so you can recover data from before the incident. Choose retention periods based on how important the information is, how frequently it changes and how long an attack might remain undetected.<\/p>\n

Consider immutable backups, which prevent changes or deletion for a defined period. Ask your provider about retention locks and protection against an attacker changing the backup policy.<\/p>\n

7. Failing to Plan the Recovery Process<\/strong><\/p>\n

Having backup copies does not automatically mean your business will return to normal quickly.<\/p>\n

You might lack recovery instructions, access credentials, a suitable replacement device or an agreed process for restoring critical applications.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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What your SME should do:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Create a written recovery plan that identifies:<\/p>\n

* Who authorises and coordinates recovery.
\n* Which systems must be restored first.
\n* Where backup copies are held and how to access them safely.
\n* Who provides technical recovery support.
\n* How to verify that restored systems are clean before reconnecting them.
\n* How staff and customers will receive essential updates.<\/p>\n

Test the plan with the people responsible for implementing it.<\/p>\n

What Is the Best Way for a Small Business to Protect Its Backups?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Start with a layered backup strategy rather than relying on a single device or service.<\/p>\n

The familiar 3-2-1 approach provides a useful foundation: keep three copies of important data, store them on two different types of media or storage, and keep one copy off-site. Adapt this approach to your business and strengthen it with offline or immutable copies, separate access controls and regular recovery testing.<\/p>\n

For many SMEs, a managed backup service offers practical support. However, outsourcing the service does not remove your responsibility to check that it meets your business needs.<\/p>\n

Ask your provider these questions:<\/p>\n

* Can ransomware on our main network delete or encrypt our backups?
\n* Do we have an offline or immutable recovery copy?
\n* How long are previous backup versions retained?
\n* When was our last successful restoration test?
\n* How quickly can our critical systems realistically be restored?
\n* Who is responsible for monitoring backup failures and investigating alerts?<\/p>\n

Get clear answers and document any gaps that need fixing.<\/p>\n

Your SME Backup Security Checklist<\/strong><\/p>\n

Use this checklist to review your current arrangements.<\/p>\n

* Identify all business-critical data and systems.
\n* Confirm that backups run on an appropriate schedule.
\n* Keep an isolated or offline backup copy.
\n* Check that cloud backups retain previous versions.
\n* Protect backup accounts with separate credentials and multi-factor authentication.
\n* Restrict who can alter or delete backups.
\n* Test restoration and record the results.
\n* Agree retention periods that support recovery from an undetected attack.
\n* Document recovery priorities, responsibilities and contact details.
\n* Review the arrangements with your IT provider regularly.<\/p>\n

Assign someone responsibility for each action and set a deadline for resolving any gaps.<\/p>\n

Frequently Asked Questions<\/strong><\/p>\n

Are cloud backups safe from ransomware?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Not automatically. Attackers might compromise cloud accounts, delete backup copies or exploit synchronisation. Choose a service with appropriate access controls, version history and protection against destructive changes. Test restoration regularly.<\/p>\n

How often should a small business back up its data?<\/strong><\/p>\n

The right frequency depends on how much data your business can afford to lose and how quickly that data changes. Critical information might require several backups each day, while less frequently updated information might need fewer. Agree the schedule with your IT provider and test that it meets your recovery requirements.<\/p>\n

Is an external hard drive enough to protect an SME from ransomware?<\/strong><\/p>\n

An external hard drive provides one useful backup option, but it should not be your only line of defence. Keep it disconnected when not in use, store it securely and maintain other independent copies. Test that the stored files can be restored.<\/p>\n

What should an SME do if ransomware has affected its backups?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Contact your IT or incident response specialist immediately. Isolate affected systems, protect any unaffected backup copies and preserve evidence. Do not reconnect backup devices or begin restoration until specialists have assessed the situation and identified a safe recovery route.<\/p>\n

Protect Your Business Before an Attack Happens<\/strong><\/p>\n

Your backup strategy should do more than copy files. It should give your business a realistic route back to normal operations after a ransomware attack.<\/p>\n

Review your backup arrangements, close the gaps and test your recovery process before you need it. A few hours spent checking your protection now could prevent days of disruption later.<\/p>\n

For further guidance, consult the NCSC’s ransomware-resistant backup principles<\/a> and the ICO’s guidance on ransomware and data protection compliance<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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What is a VPN & Does my SME Need one?<\/strong> A VPN<\/strong><\/a> is a Virtual Private Network a method of securing your communications credentials. When it comes to SMEs<\/strong><\/a>, the choice of VPNs<\/strong><\/a> can significantly impact the security and efficiency of their operations. NordVPN<\/b> secures your Internet data with military-grade encryption, ensures your activity remains private and helps bypass geographic content restrictions online.\u00a0 \u00a0Join\u00a0NordVPN\u00a0Today and\u00a0Save\u00a0up to\u00a073%\u00a0and Get 3 months\u00a0Extra Free<\/a> – Rude Not to \u2026!<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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