By Godfrey Nyoni
MANY organisations believe that as long as they back up their data, they are safe from cyberattacks.
Backups are important, but they are not enough on their own. Without proper cybersecurity, backups can fail, be deleted, or be attacked just like the main system.
In today’s digital world, real protection comes from using both strong security and reliable backups together. One without the other leaves serious gaps that attackers can exploit.
Backups are copies of important data such as documents, customer records, financial information, student records and medical files. These copies are usually stored on external drives, in the cloud, or on backup servers.
If data is lost, damaged, or deleted, backups help restore it. They are meant to protect organisations from accidents, hardware failure and disasters. However, backups only deal with data recovery. They do not stop cyberattacks from happening.
Security, on the other hand, protects systems from hackers, malware, ransomware, data theft, and unauthorised access. It includes things like strong passwords, firewalls, antivirus software, access controls, system updates, and user training.
Security tries to stop attacks before they succeed. It reduces the chances of systems being infected or data being stolen. Without security, backups are exposed to the same dangers as the main system.
One major reason backups alone are not enough is that hackers can attack backups too. If attackers gain access to a network, they can delete backups, encrypt them, or corrupt them. Many organisations keep their backups connected to the same system they are protecting.
This means when the main system is attacked, the backups are attacked as well. When this happens, there is no recovery option. The business or institution may lose all its data and be forced to shut down operations.
Backups also do not stop data theft. They only help restore files after damage. If criminals break into a system and steal customer information, restoring data from backup does not undo the harm.
Private records may already be sold or exposed online. For example, if a hospital or school is hacked and personal information is stolen, the damage affects trust and privacy even after files are restored. Security is needed to prevent this theft from happening in the first place.
Backups also do not prevent system damage. Malware can spread through networks, destroy software, and disrupt services. Even if data can be restored later, systems still need to be cleaned and rebuilt. During that time, operations may stop.
A company may not be able to serve customers, and a public office may not be able to process applications. Security reduces the chance of such damage by blocking threats early.
Human error can also ruin backups. People may forget to back up files, overwrite important data, store backups in unsafe places, or lose backup drives. Without security, backup devices can be stolen, and cloud backup accounts can be hacked. Weak passwords and poor access control expose backups to the same risks as normal systems. This shows that backups depend on human behaviour, and human behaviour must be protected through training and rules.
Ransomware makes the problem even more serious. Modern ransomware attacks are designed to look for backups first. Once inside a system, the malware searches for backup files and deletes or encrypts them.
This leaves victims with no way to recover their data unless they pay the ransom. If security is weak, backups become useless, and attackers gain full control. This is why ransomware is one of the biggest threats to organisations that rely only on backups without strong security.
A realistic Zimbabwean example can help explain this. Imagine a local council that stores billing records, land data, and payment history on its computers. They have backups, but they use weak passwords, have no firewall, and staff members click on phishing emails.
Hackers break into the system, steal sensitive data, encrypt the files, and destroy the backups. Now services stop, records are lost, and public trust is damaged. Backups existed, but security failed, so the backups could not save them.
Security also needs backups. Even the strongest security systems are not perfect. People still make mistakes, new viruses appear, and insiders may cause damage. This means attacks can still succeed sometimes. When that happens, backups become the last line of defence.
They allow organisations to recover their data and continue working. Security tries to stop attacks. Backups save the organisation when security fails. One without the other is incomplete protection.
The best approach is to use both together. Strong digital protection includes security tools, user training, monitoring, backups, and recovery plans. This approach is called cyber resilience. Cyber resilience means trying to stop attacks while also preparing to recover when they happen. It accepts that no system is 100 percent safe and plans for failure instead of ignoring it.
Zimbabwean organisations should take this lesson seriously. They should protect systems with security tools such as firewalls and antivirus software. They should train staff to recognise phishing messages and avoid unsafe behaviour.
They should back up data regularly and keep backups separate from the main system or offline where possible. They should test their recovery plans and monitor system activity for signs of attack. These steps are far cheaper than paying ransom, losing years of data, losing customers, or closing a business.
Backups are important, but backups without security are like locking your house while leaving the windows open. Security protects your systems. Backups protect your future.
Zimbabwean organisations must understand that real safety comes from prevention and recovery working together. In cybersecurity, backups help you survive after an attack. Security helps you avoid disaster in the first place. You need both if you want to operate safely in the digital age..
Nyoni is the technical consultant at www.piquesquid.com. He can be contacted on +263786889968