What New Regulations Mean for Data Backup and Recovery

*4-minute read*

In today's dynamic digital landscape, the necessity of robust backup and recovery strategies has never been more critical. Whether it’s a cyberattack or another disruption, when mainframe systems go down, efficiently bringing them back online—while also ensuring no data is lost—is imperative. This is especially true as business decisions increasingly rely on real-time, high-quality data. Any disruptions can halt operations, leading to significant costs and loss of time. Furthermore, breaches that expose highly sensitive data can inflict long-lasting damage to customer information and place organizations at risk of violating data regulations. 

With so much at stake, businesses must adopt comprehensive data backup and recovery solutions. These are essential not only for maintaining compliance with internal security guidelines and government regulations but also for reducing backup times and keeping data accessible while minimizing costly downtime. The integration of advanced risk management solutions becomes vital, offering a suite of risk management tools designed to secure data infrastructures against potential threats.

The Impact of New Regulations on Data Backup and Recovery

It's no secret that data backup and recovery solutions are integral to every company's mainframe system. With the evolution of new security threats, government policies are also evolving to better prepare and defend against them. One significant regulation is the Digital Operational Resilience Act (DORA), an EU regulation that is transforming the information and communication technology (ICT) risk management landscape for numerous businesses, extending well beyond the EU. DORA emphasizes identifying security vulnerabilities before they manifest into problems, and it underscores the importance of robust data recovery capabilities for overall resilience.

Within the scope of backup and recovery, DORA mandates organizations to regularly review their ICT disaster recovery policies and processes. This regulation includes technical standards that require businesses to design their IT infrastructure and business continuity measures to reduce downtime during ICT-related security incidents to less than two hours by design. Adapting to these new standards necessitates the deployment of mainframe security solutions like data recovery management to be proactive.

Enhance Your Data Recovery and Backup With Rocket Software

Data drives nearly every business operation today. It powers data analytics, uncovers trends and opportunities, and supports better decision-making for business leaders. In an environment where security threats and regulations are continually evolving, having trusted mainframe security solutions that support a strong risk management program is crucial for disaster avoidance and building a resilient data infrastructure.

Leveraging tools that provide critical business continuity and resilience, while enhancing data backup and recovery capabilities for businesses, are crucial. Ensuring your solution supports point-in-time recovery is equally crucial.

As digital transformation, new regulations, and emerging security threats converge, it's imperative to work with mainframe security experts that offer guidance around the best mainframe security processes, tools, skills, and solutions. By prioritizing security on your mainframe, you will be safeguarding valuable mainframe data and ensuring you are prepared for the latest threats.

Evolving Regulations and Business Resiliency Requirements

As organizations navigate the complexities of data management and access while maintaining data protection and security, evolving regulations call for new requirements to enhance business resiliency. The Digital Operational Resilience Act (DORA) is a pivotal example, mandating that businesses implement processes to ensure data recovery within a two-hour window by design during disruptions. This regulation compels organizations to prioritize their IT infrastructure and business continuity strategies meticulously to meet this stringent requirement.

Additionally, other regulatory frameworks, such as the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS), New York State regulation, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) guidelines, and the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), are also continuously evolving to emphasize resilience. These regulations collectively encourage organizations to adopt comprehensive measures that not only focus on data protection but also on ensuring operational continuity in the face of potential threats. As compliance with these regulations becomes increasingly critical, businesses must strategically assess and develop their business continuity initiatives, including backup and recovery solutions, to minimize disruption and bolster their overall resilience in the digital landscape.

The Role of Risk Management in Mainframe Security

Risk management software solutions are pivotal in managing mainframe vulnerabilities. By deploying mainframe vulnerability analysis tools and engaging in mainframe compliance practices, organizations can maintain adherence to stringent regulations such as DORA. Risk management solutions provide in-depth insights into potential threats and guide businesses in implementing effective countermeasures.

Moreover, mainframe penetration testing plays a crucial role in identifying and rectifying vulnerabilities within the system, ensuring the integrity and security of data. Mainframe penetration testing services help organizations stay ahead of potential threats by using a combination of machine and human-driven (or even physical) approaches to identify hidden weaknesses.

Building a Resilient Future

In conclusion, as businesses navigate the complexities of digital transformation and regulatory compliance, the importance of a robust framework for data security and recovery cannot be overstated. Investing in comprehensive mainframe security software solutions, such as vulnerability management and data recovery, as well as mainframe security services backed by experts, is essential for safeguarding against data breaches and ensuring business continuity.

Learn more about how Rocket Software can enhance your data backup and recovery capabilities. Our range of solutions is designed to keep your mainframe systems secure and compliant in an ever-changing technological landscape.