By now, Cybersecurity Awareness Month has filled your inbox with emails from well-meaning parents who suddenly think cyber threats are a problem. Forgetting that this is the same person who just last week told you about the wonderful conversation they had with a young man from “Windows tech support” who wanted to fix the virus on their computer, you listen and nod as they tell you about all the bad stuff on the internet.
In preparation for the other 11 months of the year, it’s the perfect time to debunk some of the most common cybersecurity myths that could leave you vulnerable. In an age where cyber threats evolve faster than ever, misconceptions about online safety can create a false sense of security. Whether you believe small businesses aren’t targeted, think antivirus software alone will protect you, or assume your strong password is enough, it’s time to separate fact from fiction. Understanding these cybersecurity myths is the first step toward building a more resilient cybersecurity strategy and keeping your data safe.
1. “All backup solutions are the same.”
Myth: One backup vendor is as good as the next. They all perform the same function.
Reality: Backup vendors offer various services, from basic file backups to full system snapshots, replication, and cloud-native solutions. Their capabilities, speed, and reliability vary significantly. Businesses must evaluate based on their specific needs, such as recovery time objectives (RTO) and recovery point objectives (RPO). It’s also essential to think about the other ways to use the data in your backups. From threat hunting and patch management to using AI for data analytics, having the right security tools for the job is important.
2. “Having a backup means you’re ready for recovery.”
Myth: You don’t need to worry about disaster recovery once your data is backed up.
Reality: Backing up data is only the first step. Recovery involves testing and ensuring that data can be restored quickly and in the correct state. Many companies discover too late that their backups are corrupted, incomplete, or take too long to restore. In the case of a cyberattack, you have an adversary who is actively trying to stop you from recovering to ensure they get paid.
3. “Cloud backups are automatically safe from cyberattacks.”
Myth: Sensitive data stored in the cloud is always secure from ransomware, data breaches, or other cyberattacks.
Reality: Cloud storage can still be vulnerable to data breaches or ransomware, especially if the cloud environment is improperly configured. Also, some cyberattacks target cloud backups directly, and without proper protection, hackers can encrypt or delete these backups, too.
4.”Backup solutions don’t require regular maintenance.”
Myth: Once a backup solution is set up, it runs on autopilot, so there’s no need for ongoing attention.
Reality: Backup systems need regular testing and monitoring to ensure they work as expected. Organizations need to ensure backups are current, recoverable, and that new data and applications are included in the backup process.
5. “All data is backed up automatically.”
Myth: Once you have a backup vendor, they automatically back up every file and system in your organization.
Reality: Backup vendors typically only back up what you configure them to. If critical systems or files are not explicitly included, they won’t be saved. It’s crucial to periodically review and adjust backup configurations as the business grows and changes. Integrating your backup system with other solutions that monitor data, such as DSPM or DLP, will help you find and protect data you might not have known about.
6. “My managed service will handle everything. No internal work is needed.”
Myth: Hiring a managed service provider means the business doesn’t need to worry about backup and recovery processes.
Reality: Even with a third party security provider, businesses need internal processes to ensure sufficient backup coverage. Employees must be trained to identify gaps, verify backups, and test recovery processes regularly.
7. “A backup solution guarantees immediate recovery.”
Myth: If you have backups, you can recover instantly from any disaster.
Reality: Recovery times can vary widely depending on the backup solution and the data size. Some backups may take hours or even days to fully restore, depending on bandwidth, data size, and backup location.
8. “Backups are automatically compliant with industry regulations.”
Myth: If a backup vendor claims they follow best practices, your backups will automatically meet all industry regulations (like GDPR and HIPAA).
Reality: Compliance requires proper handling and documentation of backups, including encryption, secure access controls, and data retention policies. Companies are ultimately responsible for ensuring their backups meet legal requirements, even if a vendor is involved.
9. “Cloud storage is a backup.”
Myth: Storing data in the cloud, like with Google Drive or Dropbox, means it’s backed up.
Reality: Cloud storage is not the same as a formal backup solution. Cloud providers typically don’t offer the same guarantees around recovery times, data versions, or protection against accidental deletion or ransomware.
10. “Data recovery is 100% guaranteed.”
Myth: Backup vendors guarantee complete data recovery in case of a breach or disaster.
Reality: No backup vendor can guarantee 100% recovery, especially in hardware failure, user error, or corruption in the backups themselves. It’s vital to regularly test recovery processes and have redundancy in place.
Separating myths from reality
Cybersecurity Awareness Month is about separating myths from reality to safeguard personal and business data. By dispelling common misconceptions, you can take more informed steps toward protecting yourself online. Remember, cybersecurity isn’t just about technology—it’s about staying vigilant, educating yourself, and continuously adapting to new cybersecurity threats. Whether you’re a business owner or an everyday internet user, understanding the truth behind these myths will help you make smarter security decisions and stay one step ahead of cybercriminals. Stay safe, stay aware, and take proactive steps to protect what matters most.
Learn more
- Sign up for a ransomware resilience workshop
- Get the Moor Insights & Strategy report:“Cohesity creates a new data security powerhouse through Veritas deal”
- Read the blog: Protecting the world’s data from cyberattacks: The Cohesity cyber event response team (CERT)
