Cyber recovery has shifted from being a “nice-to-have” to a fundamental part of business resilience. For managed service providers (MSPs), the ability to deliver robust cyber recovery solutions is critical. Not just for protecting client data but also for maintaining trust and reputation. But where should MSPs focus their efforts to ensure seamless recovery in the face of a cyberattack?
Here are the top three things that every MSP should prioritise to guarantee effective cyber recovery.
1. Build and Maintain an Immutable, Air-Gapped Vault
The foundation of any strong cyber recovery strategy is having a copy of critical data that is untouchable by attackers. MSPs must implement immutable and air-gapped vaults for their clients.
- Immutability ensures that data cannot be altered, deleted, or encrypted by ransomware. Even if production systems are compromised, the backup remains untouched and trustworthy.
- Air gaps add an additional layer of defence by physically or logically separating the vault from the primary network, making it inaccessible to malicious actors.
For maximum impact, MSPs should manage these vaults proactively, regularly testing them for malware and recoverability. At Silverstring we integrate orchestration tools like Predatar’s CleanRooms can streamline testing and help ensure backups are ready when disaster strikes.
2. Focus on Recovery Speed and Precision
Recovery isn’t just about having a backup, it’s about recovering quickly and with confidence. Clients need to know that, in the aftermath of an attack, their systems will be back online as soon as possible. MSPs can enhance recovery processes by:
- Simulating attacks to identify bottlenecks in recovery workflows.
- Using AI-powered tools to predict recovery scenarios and recommend optimised approaches.
- Offering predefined recovery playbooks tailored to client environments, reducing human error during high-pressure situations.
MSPs that focus on recovery precision (knowing what data to restore first and how to prioritise resources) can significantly reduce downtime for their clients. Again platforms like Predatar’s can play a pivotal role in orchestrating these recoveries with intelligent insights, AI powered anomaly detection and proactive threat hunting.
3. Bridge the Gap Between Security and Backup Teams
One of the biggest obstacles in cyber recovery is the siloed nature of IT departments. Security teams focus on preventing attacks, while backup teams handle data protection. The challenge is that neither side tends to collaborate effectively on recovery. MSPs can lead the charge in breaking down these silos by:
- Providing unified dashboards that consolidate backup and security insights.
- Educating clients about the importance of recovery, not just prevention.
- Facilitating joint workshops or training sessions that align security and backup strategies.
By bridging this gap, MSPs ensure that recovery plans are realistic, actionable, and informed by both security threats and backup capabilities.
The MSP Advantage in Cyber Recovery
For MSPs, offering cyber recovery isn’t just about selling a service, it’s about becoming a trusted partner in resilience. Clients need more than just data storage; they need confidence that their operations can bounce back when the worst happens. By focusing on immutable vaults, recovery speed, and breaking down silos, MSPs can build recovery solutions that truly deliver.
In an age where the next cyberattack feels like a matter of “when” rather than “if,” MSPs that invest in these areas will be the ones clients rely on when it matters most. Cyber recovery isn’t just about responding to crises; it’s about safeguarding futures.
