Podcast appearances and mentions of curtis preston

Air gap has become one of the most overused and misunderstood terms in backup and recovery. In this episode, W. Curtis Preston and Prasanna explore what air gap really means, tracing its origins from the days when everyone used tape storage to modern virtual implementations. They discuss how true air gap required physical separation - tapes stored offsite at facilities like Iron Mountain - and why this gold standard is nearly impossible to achieve with today's connected backup systems.The conversation covers modern alternatives including immutable storage, IAM-based protection, and simulated air gaps that disconnect network connections when not actively replicating. Curtis and Prasanna explain why ransomware has made air gap more important than ever, and provide practical guidance for evaluating vendor claims about air gap capabilities in cloud and hybrid environments.

The largest data breach in recent memory has exposed 16 billion login credentials across multiple databases, and we're here to help you understand what it means for your security. This massive exposure involves data stolen primarily through infostealer malware rather than a single company breach.Join W. Curtis Preston, Dr. Mike Saylor, and Prasanna Malaiyandi as they break down this complex security incident. Learn why this largest data breach is actually a compilation of stolen credentials from various sources, how infostealer malware works, and why your browsing habits might be putting you at risk. The team discusses practical security measures including proper browser hygiene, multi-factor authentication best practices, and password management strategies. Mike shares eye-opening insights about session security and why having multiple browser tabs open during sensitive activities could compromise your accounts. Get actionable advice on protecting yourself from the fallout of this massive credential exposure.

Human error has replaced hardware failures as the primary driver of data loss and restore operations in modern IT environments. This episode explores real-world examples of how both end users and administrators create the need for backup and recovery operations through accidental deletions, configuration mistakes, and poor processes. W. Curtis Preston shares war stories from his decades in the industry, including incidents involving accidental directory deletions, source code stored in temporary folders, and tape library disasters. The discussion covers how technology improvements like RAID and solid-state drives have made hardware more reliable, shifting the focus to human-related incidents. The hosts also examine insider threats and the importance of implementing proper controls around privileged access. Learn why understanding human error patterns is critical for designing effective backup and recovery strategies that account for the reality of how data actually gets lost.

World Backup Day falls on March 31st - the day before April Fool's Day because not backing up your data is no joke. In this episode, hosts W. Curtis Preston and Prasanna Malaiyandi discuss alarming statistics about data loss and why proper backup strategies are essential for business survival.The hosts break down the famous 3-2-1 backup rule and how it applies to both consumers and enterprises. They examine the growing threat of ransomware, including double extortion attacks where criminals not only encrypt your data but threaten to publish it. With 94% of companies that suffer major data loss failing to recover, and 70% of small businesses closing within a year of significant data loss, World Backup Day serves as a crucial reminder to implement robust backup strategies that include immutable storage and protection for often-overlooked SaaS applications.Stories from this episode:https://www.forbes.com/sites/tomcoughlin/2025/03/31/march-31-is-world-backup-day/https://objectfirst.com/blog/world-backup-day-2025/https://www.backupwrapup.com/peter-krogh-who-coined-the-3-2-1-rule-on-our-podcast/

In this episode of The Backup Wrap-up, W. Curtis Preston breaks down the key VeeamON announcements from the VeeamON 2025 conference in San Diego. He highlights Veeam's focus on security and ransomware defense, including their new CrowdStrike integration and data resilience maturity model developed with McKinsey and MIT.Curtis shares his excitement about Veeam's long-awaited Linux-based software appliance, which addresses a critical security vulnerability in Windows-based backup systems. He also discusses other major VeeamON announcements like their Anthropic partnership for AI-powered backup content search, Microsoft Intra ID support, and the ability to recover backups to Azure in under five minutes. Whether you're a Veeam customer or just interested in backup technology trends, this episode provides valuable insights into these significant VeeamOn announcements.

DOGE and GSA recently made headlines with a tweet claiming $1 million annual savings by converting 14,000 magnetic tapes to "permanent modern digital records." In this episode, W. Curtis Preston and Prasanna Malaiyandi analyze whether this claim is possible – although they cannot actually validate it due to lack of information. They discuss that DOGE and GSA's claim is possible given the significant costs of maintaining legacy systems, the migration process would also likely take months and involve substantial upfront expenses. Curtis also shares a humorous story about accidentally pressing an emergency power button during a critical mainframe recovery.

In this eye-opening episode of The Backup Wrap-up, W. Curtis Preston and Prasanna Malaiyandi unpack crucial disaster recovery lessons from major events like 9/11. They discuss how companies lost both primary and backup data centers when both World Trade Center towers fell, highlighting why geographic separation is non-negotiable. The hosts break down the technical aspects of disaster recovery, comparing hot sites versus cold sites, and the realities of synchronous versus asynchronous replication across distances.Beyond the technical, Curtis and Prasanna share often-overlooked disaster recovery lessons about human factors—where recovery teams will sleep, eat, and work during extended outages when infrastructure is destroyed. They examine a real case from a hurricane-stricken island where teams converted conference rooms to sleeping quarters and relied on satellite communications. Whether you're planning for natural disasters, power outages, or ransomware attacks, these disaster recovery lessons will help ensure your organization can recover when—not if—disaster strikes.

Tape backup isn't dead – but it's glory days are gone. In this episode, W. Curtis Preston and Prasanna Malaiyandi discuss why tape backup remains relevant despite its diminished role in operational backups. They reveal how cloud giants have become the biggest consumers of tape technology while explaining common misconceptions about tape's performance.The hosts break down four core advantages tape backup still maintains: unbeatable cost (one to two orders of magnitude cheaper than alternatives), superior speed for bulk transfers, better data integrity with lower bit error rates, and built-in protection against ransomware through true immutability. Whether you're considering your disaster recovery strategy or looking for cost-effective long-term storage, this episode offers valuable insights into why tape backup continues to play a crucial role in modern data protection architectures.Here are some related episodes we talk about in the show:https://www.backupwrapup.com/ovhs-backup-service-didnt-work/https://www.backupwrapup.com/back-in-my-day-backups-were-really-hard/https://www.backupwrapup.com/tape-drive-designer-schools-mr-backup-on-tape/

W. Curtis Preston, aka "Mr. Backup," reveals shocking insights from the world of data recovery. From a million-tape archive stored in a football-field-sized facility to the critical need for reading backup data without vendor lock-in, this conversation uncovers the hidden struggles of IT professionals. We dive into ransomware recovery, AI's role in backup solutions, and why tape storage is making a surprising comeback. Plus, Curtis introduces Libertas, a free tool that could change the game for legacy data recovery.

In this episode of The Backup Wrap-up, W. Curtis Preston and Prasanna Malaiyandi discuss critical strategies for securing your backup disk against cyber threats. They explain why the default configuration of storing backups in easily accessible directories makes your backup disk vulnerable to threat actors who specifically target backup systems before launching attacks.The conversation covers several effective methods to protect your backup disk, including using proprietary protocols like OST and Boost, implementing Virtual Tape Libraries (VTLs), leveraging dedicated backup appliances, and utilizing object storage both on-premises and in the cloud. Curtis emphasizes that keeping your backup disk out of user space is essential for maintaining security against increasingly sophisticated attackers.This episode provides practical advice for anyone using disk-based backup systems who wants to ensure their backup disk remains secure and recoverable when needed most.

Ever wonder why your recovery time objective seems impossible to meet? In this episode, we challenge the common assumption that a four-hour RTO is achievable for most organizations. Host W. Curtis Preston and guest Prasanna Malaiyandi discuss why these aggressive recovery time objectives often exist only on paper.From ransomware attacks to natural disasters, we examine the real-world factors that make rapid recovery more complex than most realize. We break down the differences between recovery time objectives (RTOs) and actual recovery times (RTAs), exploring why organizations need to be more realistic about their recovery capabilities. Whether you're managing backups, planning disaster recovery, or responsible for business continuity, this episode will help you understand what's actually possible when disaster strikes.Check out these older episodes about how a real disaster unfolds:https://www.backupwrapup.com/real-life-hurricane-disaster-recover-story/https://www.backupwrapup.com/disaster-recovery-after-a-hurricane-a-first-hand-account/

In this eye-opening episode about passwords vs passkeys, W. Curtis Preston and Prasanna Malaiyandi expose why traditional password protection isn't enough for your backup systems anymore. They break down the evolution from basic passwords to MFA, and explain why passkeys and FIDO compliance represent the next level in security.Learn why hackers target backup systems first, how they exploit password vulnerabilities, and why even multi-factor authentication has its weak points. Discover why there hasn't been a single successful attack against FIDO-compliant systems, and why you should be pushing your backup vendors to support passkeys. Whether you're using a traditional backup system or a SaaS solution, this episode gives you the knowledge you need to better protect your last line of defense.We talked about this previous episode: https://www.backupwrapup.com/how-do-you-authenticate-with-all-new-hardware/

Understanding your backup window is crucial for effective data protection, but there's a twist - it's not just about backup speed. In this episode, we explore why focusing solely on backup speed misses the point entirely. The real measure of success? Your recovery capabilities.Join W. Curtis Preston and Prasanna Malaiyandi as they share war stories about backup windows gone wrong, including a memorable tale involving tape drives that could write but couldn't read. Learn why traditional backup windows have evolved, how modern technologies have changed the game, and most importantly, why your recovery testing matters more than your backup speed. We also dive into deduplication taxes, recovery groups, and why instant recovery capabilities might be your best friend in a crisis.This is the recovery failure we alluded to w/our friend Stuart Liddle: https://www.backupwrapup.com/laptop-restore-nightmare-900gb/

Artificial intelligence in backup isn't just marketing hype - it's changing how we protect our data. In this episode, W. Curtis Preston and Prasanna Malaiyandi break down the practical applications of AI in backup systems, from intelligent scheduling to ransomware detection.Learn how artificial intelligence helps with capacity planning, especially with deduplication systems where predicting storage needs gets tricky. We discuss AI's role in asset discovery, anomaly detection, and even creating better disaster recovery plans. Plus, find out why backing up AI models themselves might become your next big challenge. This no-nonsense look at AI in backup cuts through the confusion and focuses on what really matters - making your backups better.

In part two of our disaster recovery testing series, we explore the critical steps of executing a DR test. From coordinating teams and documenting issues to maintaining communication channels during the test, this episode covers everything you need to know about running an effective DR test.Host W. Curtis Preston and co-host Prasanna Malaiyandi share practical advice from their extensive experience with disaster recovery testing. They discuss the importance of having backup communication methods, maintaining detailed documentation, and conducting thorough post-test analysis. Learn why testing your DR plan regularly is crucial and how to build a recovery mindset across your organization.Whether you're planning your first DR test or looking to improve your existing testing procedures, this episode provides valuable insights to help ensure your disaster recovery testing success.

Looking for the best cloud backup for small business? This episode cuts straight to what matters. Host W. Curtis Preston and Prasanna Malaiyandi share their expert insights on choosing the right cloud backup solution for your small business needs.They break down the critical features every small business should look for in a cloud backup service, including true immutability, proper implementation of the 3-2-1 rule, and transparent pricing. The discussion covers why cloud backup makes sense for small businesses, how to avoid common pitfalls, and what questions to ask potential providers. Whether you're currently shopping for a backup solution or want to verify your existing setup, this episode provides practical, actionable advice from industry veterans who understand what small businesses really need.

Getting the right backup IT budget can feel like pulling teeth, but it doesn't have to be that way. In this episode of The Backup Wrap-up, W. Curtis Preston and Prasanna Malaiyandi share real-world strategies for securing the backup IT budget you need to protect your organization.Learn how to partner with the security and GRC teams to make your case stronger. Find out why ransomware has changed the game when it comes to backup IT budget discussions, and hear practical tips for documenting your needs. Whether you're struggling with outdated systems or fighting for resources, this episode gives you the ammunition you need to get proper funding for your backup infrastructure.Here's a link to the Stoli story if you're interested: https://therecord.media/stoli-group-usa-bankruptcy-filing-ransomware

On Episode #30 of the Alternative Litigation Strategies podcast, host Kevin Skrzysowski sits down with author and technology evangelist W. Curtis Preston to discuss the latest eDiscovery challenges, strategies, and best practices for law firms and in-house legal departments.  Kevin and Curtis discuss what surprises lawyers the most about eDiscovery, the challenges of extracting backup information, the increasing complexity of dealing with mobile devices, and best practices for selecting and working with your eDiscovery provider. 

Today Laura and Kevin speak with Mr. Backup himself, W. Curtis Preston. We talk about the biggest opportunities for innovation in legal tech. We hear Curtis' thoughts on AI redefining roles within legal teams. We discuss the biggest technical and logistical obstacles to satisfying an eDiscovery request when it comes to handling backup data. Curtis walks us through why backups present unique challenges in eDiscovery compared to other types of data sources. We also hear Laura and Curtis' thoughts on the PT Cruiser and so much more!W. Curtis Preston is a Legal Tech Evangelist specializing in eDiscovery and Forensic Acquisition. Curtis possesses a unique combination of legal and technical expertise and has been an expert witness on multiple lawsuits, consulting and being deposed on multi-million-dollar matters that included intellectual property, patents, and insurance. He has even been a pro se litigant in three cases – and prevailed in each case. He has brought his expertise to S2|Data, a legacy data and discovery solution aiding Fortune 500 legal teams, AMLAW 100 Law Firms & Sole Practitioners in computer forensics and eDiscovery.

Experience the backup from hell in this eye-opening episode of The Backup Wrap-up. What started as a straightforward 40TB backup spiraled into a months-long battle with 400TB of data, failing tape drives, and directories containing hundreds millions of files.Host W. Curtis Preston shares his first-hand account of tackling this backup from hell, including the challenges of dealing with SMB protocol limitations, tape drive failures, and the infamous "million file problem." Learn why backing up 99 million files in a single directory isn't just challenging - it's nearly impossible over standard protocols.Discover the solutions that finally worked, from switching to disk-based backup to implementing local tar backups. Whether you're a backup admin or IT professional, this episode offers valuable insights into handling extreme backup scenarios.

Send us a textIn this episode of the Let's Talk Paralegal podcast, we sit down with Curtis Preston, a technical evangelist for S2|DATA, to explore the rapidly evolving world of e-discovery and artificial intelligence in the legal industry. Curtis breaks down how AI is revolutionizing document review and legal processes, making e-discovery faster, more accurate, and cost-effective. We also discuss how S2|DATA is fulfilling its mission to help litigants easily access critical data for e-discovery and forensic purposes. Tune in to learn how these advancements are shaping the future of legal practice and what it means for legal professionals today!Connect with Curtis: https://s2data.com/https://www.linkedin.com/in/mrbackup Hey, it's your girl Eda! Also known as the CEO Paralegal, author, legal consultant, legal educator, and of course host of the Let's Talk Paralegal podcast! Join in on the fun by downloading, subscribing, and sharing our content! You can also take your support further by hitting the “coin” icon on our Let's Talk Paralegal site where as a thank you we will provide you with exclusive content, news, and maybe even some swag! So what are you waiting for? Hit pause and share Get Ready to Transform Your Paralegal Career!Register today: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2024-limitless-paralegals-tickets-774776024947?aff=oddtdtcreator Buzzsprout - Let's get your podcast launched!Start for FREELegal Soft For outsourcing your legal staff needs! Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the showFollow us on: LinkedIn Instagram @edarosallc1 Facebook

How can a simple backup error lead to a multi-billion dollar legal disaster? Are your law firm's data management practices putting you at risk of a costly legal blunder? In today's rapidly changing digital landscape, law firms and large corporations face mounting challenges with data compliance and e-discovery requests. These challenges can lead to significant financial and legal repercussions, making effective data management practices not just beneficial but essential. For law firms and large organizations, handling data correctly can make or break a court case. In this episode of Cut to the Chase: Podcast, we welcome Curtis Preston, aka Mr. Backup, a Backup & Cyber Recovery Expert from S2|Data, a company specializing in e-discovery, digital forensics, and data restoration. Curtis is here to demystify the complexities of e-discovery and explain how S2|Data helps large companies and legal entities navigate this crucial process efficiently. He sheds light on how to approach e-discovery, data restoration, and legacy data management effectively and inexpensively. Did you know that Morgan Stanley lost a $2 billion judgment due to mishandling e-discovery from backup tapes?  Tune in to discover some of the pitfalls of e-discovery, how to avoid costly mistakes, and how S2|Data can simplify the process for any law firm, including yours!   In this episode of the Cut to the Chase: Podcast, Gregg and Curtis discuss: - How S2|Data differentiates itself in the e-discovery world - Real-world examples of e-discovery gone wrong - The challenges with traditional backup systems - The Morgan Stanley case & what went wrong - The role of law firms in e-discovery and their responsibilities - Legacy Data Management: Understanding old formats and new technologies - Preventative Measures: The benefits of preemptively using services like S2|Data - The future of e-discovery, data restoration, and the role of AI - The Departing Employee Defense program by S2|Data - Practical advice for law firms on e-discovery, data restoration, legacy data, & more!   Key Actionable Takeaways for Law Firms: Be Proactive Rather Than Reactive: Implement e-discovery solutions before litigation arises. Leverage Experts: Partner with e-discovery specialists like S2|Data to avoid costly mistakes. Understand Your Data: Familiarize your team with the types of data storage and formats used in the past and present. Secure Forensic Images: Protect your company by securing data from departing employees. Embrace Technology: Don't shy away from using advanced tools or services that can streamline your e-discovery process.   Subscribe, rate, review, and share this episode of the Cut to the Chase: Podcast to stay ahead in your legal practice! Learn more about S2|Data LLC: https://s2data.com Connect with Curtis Preston on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mrbackup

Discover how to stop ransomware in its tracks with this informative episode of The Backup Wrap-up. Hosts W. Curtis Preston and Prasanna Malaiyandi look into three crucial strategies that can prevent 90% or more of ransomware attacks. Learn why patch management is your first line of defense and how to implement it effectively. Explore the world of password security and discover why a robust password management system is essential. Finally, uncover the power of multi-factor authentication in thwarting unauthorized access. Don't miss this opportunity to strengthen your cybersecurity defenses and stay one step ahead of cybercriminals.

In this episode, we delve into the critical importance of Google Cloud disaster recovery planning through the lens of UniSuper's recent brush with catastrophe. When Google accidentally deleted UniSuper's entire VMware environment, the Australian pension provider faced the terrifying prospect of losing access to $125 billion in assets and the data of over 600,000 members.Hosts W. Curtis Preston and Prasanna Malaiyandi dissect the incident, highlighting how UniSuper's adherence to the 3-2-1 backup rule and use of third-party backup solutions ultimately saved the day. They explore the key lessons learned from this Google Cloud disaster, including the importance of having isolated data copies, clear communication during outages, and a robust recovery strategy. This real-world case study serves as a stark reminder of the risks associated with relying solely on cloud providers for data protection and the necessity of comprehensive Google Cloud disaster recovery planning.

In this shocking episode of The Backup Wrap-up, we delve into the jaw-dropping data loss disaster that struck global consulting giant KPMG at the height of the 2020 pandemic. With one errant click, a Microsoft 365 admin accidentally wiped out months of critical Teams chat data for a staggering 145,000 employees.Join host W. Curtis Preston as he unravels this extraordinary tale of digital destruction and explores the crucial lessons it holds for organizations relying on Microsoft 365 and other SaaS platforms. Curtis breaks down the differences between retention policies and actual backups, exposes common misconceptions about cloud provider data protection responsibilities, and highlights the potential legal and compliance nightmares that can arise from such catastrophic data loss.If you're using Microsoft 365 or any SaaS application, you can't afford to miss this vital wake-up call. Tune in to discover why a robust third-party backup strategy is essential, no matter how big your company or how reliable your cloud provider seems. Learn from KPMG's misfortune and ensure your organization's critical data is always protected, in the cloud and beyond.Don't become the next cautionary tale – listen now and secure your SaaS data before it's too late!Mentioned in this episode:Blank Midroll

In this important episode of the Backup Wrap-up, W. Curtis Preston, AKA Mr. Backup, takes you on a deep dive into the shocking story of the OVHCloud data center fire of 2021. This catastrophic event left hundreds of customers scrambling to recover their precious data (often without backups), exposing the startling truth about OVHCloud's data center and backup practices and the devastating consequences of misplaced trust in cloud providers.As usual, Curtis is joined by co-host Prasanna Malaiyandi as they unravel the complex web of controversial decisions, legal battles, and hard lessons learned from this disastrous incident. They explore the factors contributing to the fire's severity, the staggering extent of the data loss, and the eye-opening revelations about OVHCloud's backup infrastructure.But this episode is more than just a cautionary tale. Curtis and Prasanna delve into the crucial questions every organization must ask their cloud provider to ensure their data is truly secure. They share invaluable insights and actionable advice to help you avoid falling victim to a similar fate.Whether you're an IT professional responsible for safeguarding your company's data or an individual looking to protect your digital life, this episode is a must-listen. You'll come away with a deeper understanding of the risks associated with cloud storage, the importance of robust backup strategies, and the steps you can take to become a cyber-recovery hero.Don't miss this opportunity to learn from one of the most significant cloud disasters in recent history. Tune in now and discover how you can keep your data out of the fire and emerge as an unsung hero in the world of backup and recovery.Articles covering this story:https://www.datacenterdynamics.com/en/news/ovh-fire-octave-klaba-says-ups-systems-were-ablaze/https://www.datacenterdynamics.com/en/news/fire-could-cost-ovhcloud-105-million-ipo-filing-reveals/https://www.datacenterdynamics.com/en/news/ovhcloud-ordered-to-pay-250k-to-two-customers-who-lost-data-in-strasbourg-data-center-fire/https://www.datacenterdynamics.com/en/news/ovhcloud-fire-report-sbg2-data-center-had-wooden-ceilings-no-extinguisher-and-no-power-cut-out/Election worker episode:https://www.backupwrapup.com/election-poll-site-manager-explains-us-election-systems/Mentioned in this episode:Blank Midroll

In this information-packed episode, backup guru W. Curtis Preston and expert guest Prasanna Malaiyandi explore the elements of crafting an effective disaster recovery (DR) runbook. They discuss how a properly structured runbook eliminates confusion during crises by clearly outlining responsibilities and contacts. From making runbooks accessible and absorbed to keeping them actionable with constant updates and tests, they share the 8 critical factors for DR success. Tune in to transform your backup admins into confident cyber recovery heroes with battle-tested runbooks.

Creating an effective DR strategy means understanding the critical differences between hot, warm, and cold recovery sites. Join backup guru W. Curtis Preston and his cohost Prasanna Malaiyandi for the latest Backup Wrap-Up as they outline real-world strategies to match your RTO, RPO, and budget. You'll learn the unique benefits and challenges of using both primary for hot sites, and backup replication to cost-effectively create warm recovery sites.They also tackle the complexities of cloud DR for VMware environments. Can you do DR of VMware to AWS? What conversion hurdles do you need to plan for? Tune in to find out.Whether you're a scrappy SMB or an enterprise with serious SLAs, this tactical episode delivers actionable advice to advance your resilience game. Learn how to leverage the cloud's economies of scale and keep business running no matter what gets thrown your way.The backup wrap up turns unappreciated backup admins into cyber recovery heroes.

When disaster strikes, you better have a solid plan for where you'll recover your operations. Join me, W. Curtis Preston, and Prasanna Malaiyandi, as we explore the nitty-gritty details of your three main options for a disaster recovery site.We'll dig into the pros, cons, risks, and costs associated with rolling your own DR site, hiring a third-party service, or leveraging the public cloud. Each path has its twists and turns. How do you keep a secondary site in sync? What if a regional disaster takes down your DR provider? Can the cloud flex to meet your recovery needs? Tune in for straight-shooting answers.This episode tackles the tough questions so you can make informed, bulletproof decisions on housing your failover infrastructure. As always, I'm drawing from decades of experience as a recovering backup admin, and I've designed this podcast just for pros like yourself.Batten down the hatches and prepare to take notes - it's time to build a life raft for your data! For those interested in The Gobox Studio, here you go! https://goboxstudio.com/

This timely episode features an in-depth discussion between cybersecurity expert Melissa Palmer (@vmiss) and hosts W. Curtis Preston and Prasanna Malaiyandi on the crucial role preparation and planning play in effectively responding to and recovering from the inevitable ransomware attack.They stress that flying by the seat of your pants without an incident response plan when ransomware hits leads to chaotic, inefficient efforts and substantially higher costs. Melissa outlines pragmatic steps organizations should take before an attack to develop and test response playbooks, have partnerships in place with response firms, coordinate across internal teams, bolster detection capabilities, and harden backup/recovery mechanisms. Curtis and Prasanna dive into real-world ransomware response scenarios to highlight the complexity organizations face in assessing the scope of damage from attacks and recalibrating restoration priorities. Melissa offers tips on creating robust processes to rebuild compromised environments quickly. They discuss table-top exercises as cost-efficient ways to uncover plan gaps and get stakeholders aligned on roles and timeline expectations.With Melissa's depth of experience assisting ransomware victims, she provides unique insights into preparation best practices often neglected until the worst happens. For IT/security leaders looking to build organizational resilience against ransomware threats, this engaging episode delivers actionable advice on architecting defense-in-depth capabilities tailored to your business requirements.Join us for a great episode!

Changing your organization's backup system is no easy task - it requires careful evaluation of requirements, risks, and capabilities. Many admins get stuck with backup environments they've outgrown or that lag on modern demands.On this episode, backup guru W. Curtis Preston and his cohost Prasanna Malaiyandi lend their expertise to help you determine if and when migrating your backup solution makes sense. You'll learn:Key indicators that your current system is no longer fitting your needsHow to clearly define backup requirements and alignment to recovery objectivesWays to evaluate ease of use, security, and other qualitative factorsGuidance on integrating specialized systems only when necessaryThe importance of prioritizing immutable storage and rapid recoveryChange management best practices that curb instabilityWith ransomware threats growing, the bar for backup keeps rising. Tune in as our two hosts cover everything you need to make backup system change decisions that balance innovation, budget, and risk - avoiding needless switches while still meeting evolving data protection demands. You'll gain real-world clarity that turns unappreciated backup admins into cyber recovery heroes.

Tired of backup windows and 24-hour recovery point objectives? Then it's time to learn about how snapshots and replication work together to create near-continuous data protection, or near-CDP.In this episode, backup experts W. Curtis Preston and Prasanna Malaiyandi dive into leveraging snapshots for instant point-in-time recovery and replication for an offsite copy. By combining these technologies, you can achieve recovery point objectives measured in minutes rather than hours or days.Listen in to understand what near CDP is, how it differs from backup and true CDP, and the key capabilities it enables. Discover when to take crash-consistent vs application-consistent snapshots. Learn how near CDP integrates with backup software and how you can use replicated snapshots for automated recovery testing.If you need tighter RPOs and near-instant RTOs for your mission-critical systems, you can't afford to miss this explanation of how snap and replicate delivers a high-frequency, budget-friendly data protection option. Tune in to become a hero by enabling your organization to recover quickly from data corruption, ransomware, and other threats!

In this episode of The Backup Wrap-Up, host W. Curtis Preston discusses the importance of understanding the difference between snapshots and backups. He emphasizes that storage snapshots should not be considered as true backups. The episode also covers the recent 1Password and Okta hack, highlighting the frustration of such incidents, especially for those who advocate for password managers and cloud technologies. Tune in to learn more about the risks and implications of relying solely on snapshots and the importance of proper backup strategies.

In this episode of the Backup Wrap-Up, W. Curtis Preston and Prasanna Malaiyandi discuss Continuous Data Protection (CDP) and its potential as the next great thing in disaster recovery. They explore the concept of meeting an RTO and RPO of zero and question why CDP isn't used for all backups in DR. Tune in to learn more about CDP and its role in backup and disaster recovery.Article mentioned in the story:https://www.theregister.com/2023/10/10/ransomware_attacks_register_record_speeds

In this episode, W. Curtis Preston, aka Mr. Backup, and Prasanna Malaiyandi discuss the fundamental technology of replication in data protection systems. They explore what replication is, how it differs from other methods, and why it's not used for everything. They also delve into the differences between synchronous and asynchronous replication and why it matters. The hosts also share news of a backup company called Alcion, which recently raised funding with support from Veeam, a backup company investing in Alcion's focus on Microsoft 365 backups for SMB customers. They also discuss a report from ESG about how cloud backup has evolved. The episode provides insights into the world of data protection and highlights the importance of replication in safeguarding valuable data.Articles discussed in this episode:https://www.techtarget.com/searchdatabackup/news/366552363/Veeam-leads-funding-round-for-SaaS-backup-provider-Alcionhttps://www.techtarget.com/searchdatabackup/feature/Cloud-backup-and-disaster-recovery-evolve-toward-maturity

We dive deep with W. Curtis Preston, aka Mr. Backup, as we discover the real-world implications, benefits, and truths behind the buzzwords of Airgap and Immutability and learn why they're essential in today's data protection landscape.

In this episode of the Backup Wrap-Up, host W. Curtis Preston discusses the importance of distinguishing between a copy and a backup to ensure the protection of valuable data. He also explores key backup concepts such as multiplexing, incremental backups, block-level incremental backups, and source-side deduplication. The episode kicks off with a discussion on the recent MGM hack, highlighting the significant impact it had on the hotel chain and the potential for personal information leaks. Tune in to learn how to safeguard your data effectively and become a backup hero.Articles mentioned in the episode:https://www.reddit.com/r/vegas/comments/16hxwj0/explain_like_i_am_5_mgm_hacking/https://www.reversinglabs.com/blog/what-we-know-about-blackcat-and-the-mgm-hack

In this episode of the Backup Wrap-Up, host W. Curtis Preston and co-host Prasanna Malaiyandi explore the topic of data protection in the Internet of Things (IoT) era. With the increasing number of IoT devices in our homes and organizations, it is crucial to understand how to back up and secure the data generated by these devices. They discuss the importance of knowing which devices create important data and where that data is being stored. They also discuss IBM's release of a 150 terabyte tape, which showcases advancements in data storage capacity, and a TechTarget ESG survey about the use of the cloud in data protection.Tune in to this informative episode for insights on safeguarding your IoT data.

In this episode of the Backup Wrap-Up, host W. Curtis Preston, also known as Mr. Backup, and his co-host Prasanna Malaiyandi, discuss the importance (or not) of backing up data in hybrid cloud storage systems, with a possibly surprising answer. The episode begins with backup-related news, followed by a deep dive into a single area or lesson that can help protect against ransomware. The news segment includes a story about Toyota, where multiple manufacturing plants shut down during their production process. Tune in for the answer to the question about backing up hybrid storage systems, and to learn more about data backup and disaster recovery systems.

In this episode of the Restore It All podcast, W. Curtis Preston, a.k.a. Mr. Backup, and Prasanna Malaiyandi are joined by Chris Groot and Stefan Voss from N-Able, a company specializing in backup, data protection and security systems. Nable focuses on serving the needs of managed service providers to deliver excellent service to small and medium-sized businesses. They discuss the importance of catering to the "Fortune 5 million," which includes businesses with 20 to 2000 employees, highlighting the significant role that small businesses play in our economy. Tune in to learn more about Nable's approach to the cloud data protection space and their goal of making backup admins indispensable.

In this episode, W. Curtis Preston and Prasanna Malaiyandi are joined by Eric Olden, the CEO of Strata Identity. With over 25 years of experience in the cybersecurity industry, Eric sheds light on the concept of Identity Orchestration and how it addresses the complexities of modern identity management in multi-cloud environments. He discusses the evolution of technology consumption, the philosophy of "bought not sold," and the creation of a new product category in the world of identity management. Eric explains how Strata Identity's platform acts as an abstraction layer, allowing organizations to seamlessly integrate and switch between different identity providers without rewriting applications. He also shares insights on modernization, just-in-time provisioning, and the benefits of the open free IDQL standard. Don't miss this engaging discussion about identity orchestration and its role in simplifying the management of identities across diverse cloud ecosystems.

Although artificial intelligence, specifically machine learning and large language models, is in the news, it isn't very useful in enterprise IT. In this episode of the On-Premise IT podcast, Karen Lopez, W. Curtis Preston, Michael Levan, and Stephen Foskett discuss the use case for AI in security. The panel acknowledges that machine learning can be beneficial in identifying anomalies and patterns that humans may overlook. It can assist in generating policies, templates, and rule sets, as well as providing best practices based on aggregated data. However, they also express concerns about the responsible use of AI and the need for training models on specific environments to ensure effectiveness. They highlight the importance of having the right data sets and the challenges of dealing with the black box nature of machine learning. Despite potential exploits and limitations, they agree that AI is currently the best tool available for detecting and addressing security threats, such as data exfiltration and unauthorized access. © Gestalt IT, LLC for Gestalt IT: Machine Learning is Best Suited for Security

Although artificial intelligence, specifically machine learning and large language models, is in the news, it isn't very useful in enterprise IT. In this episode of the On-Premise IT podcast, Karen Lopez, W. Curtis Preston, Michael Levan, and Stephen Foskett discuss the use case for AI in security. The panel acknowledges that machine learning can be beneficial in identifying anomalies and patterns that humans may overlook. It can assist in generating policies, templates, and rule sets, as well as providing best practices based on aggregated data. However, they also express concerns about the responsible use of AI and the need for training models on specific environments to ensure effectiveness. They highlight the importance of having the right data sets and the challenges of dealing with the black box nature of machine learning. Despite potential exploits and limitations, they agree that AI is currently the best tool available for detecting and addressing security threats, such as data exfiltration and unauthorized access. © Gestalt IT, LLC for Gestalt IT: Machine Learning is Best Suited for Security

A few weeks ago, Mr. Backup (W. Curtis Preston) said he didn't understand why people used flash for backups. He said it was overkill. A few days later, Howard Marks of Vast (friend of the pod) took issue with that statement, and asked for the chance to defend Vast's title, so to speak. Howard is a friend of the pod and we were happy to say yes. We also take the opportunity to get an update on Vast, and discuss their data reduction techniques in more detail. Bonus points if you get the cover art reference.

In this episode, Frank interviews W. Curtis Preston on the Future of Backup Tech after getting nostalgic about T1 lines, tapes, and the Y2K bug.

It was a dark and stormy night in 1993 when paris (the database server) went down. It would be a night the new backup admin would never forget because he couldn't restore the database from backup. The only bright side of that very sad story is that it launched a career. Yes, that's the night W. Curtis Preston started his path toward Mr. Backup. Hear him tell the story in his own words, in the middle of the backup to basics series about backing up databases. Avoid the mistake that could have (but did not) cost him his job and enjoy a good episode while you're at it!

W. Curtis Preston, AKA Mr. Backup, is an expert in backup & recovery systems, a space he has been working in since 1993. He has written four books on the subject, is the founder and webmaster of backupcentral.com, and is the host of the Restore it All Podcast. Curtis is also the Chief Technical Evangelist at Druva, a data protection as a service company. In this episode of The Secure Talk Cybersecurity Podcast, we talk with Curtis about data protection as a service (DPaaS), backup basics, and the importance of having an incident response plan. Curtis also talks about the recent trend toward backups being a priority target for hackers. Druva https://druva.com/podcast Backup Central https://www.backupcentral.com/ The Secure Talk Cybersecurity Podcast https://securetalkpodcast.com/

For many organizations, data backups are not treated as something that may ultimately determine the survivability of the company. Avoid making this mistake, listen to W. Curtis Preston's (a.k.a. “Mr Backup”) sobering stories of businesses destroyed in a single day due to poor data resiliency practices and how the 3-2-1 backup rule can help fend out off the fallout of ransomware and other catastrophic events.

Historically, backup and recovery has been a job relegated to a junior person on the team. It's the kind of grungy work that all companies know they should do, but no one wants to own it. As such, many companies have a poor backup and recovery posture and aren't even sure they can recover from a disaster. Additionally, in recent years, homegrown backup systems have been the target of more and more ransomware and cyber attacks. Attackers target the backups, either deleting them completely and then attacking other parts of the system or steal the backups, break the encryption, and now have access to tons of company data. W. Curtis Preston has been working in backup and disaster recovery for nearly 30 years and has written five books on the subject. He joins the show to discuss backup and recovery missteps, best practices, and how Druva, the SaaS-based backup and recovery platform helps businesses offload backup responsibility. Topics: How did you get interested in the field of data protection and disaster recovery, and what sparked your passion for it? What are some common mistakes that organizations make when it comes to data backup and recovery? What's the relationship between backups, data protection, and cybersecurity? What's the best practices around backing up personal user data, like account data or perhaps other sensitive data? What are the common ways data loss happens for organizations? How can organizations ensure that their data is secure and protected during the backup and recovery process? What are some best practices for designing a data backup and recovery system, and how can organizations implement these practices effectively? Can you give some examples of real-world data loss scenarios, and how proper data backup and recovery systems could have prevented or mitigated the impact of those losses? How can organizations test their data backup and recovery systems to ensure that they are working properly and can be relied upon in the event of a disaster? Can you provide an overview of the Druva platform and how it helps organizations protect their data? What sets the Druva platform apart from other data protection and backup solutions on the market? Can you provide some examples of how organizations have successfully implemented the Druva platform to protect and recover their data in the face of disasters or other challenges? What's the future for this space look like? Resources: Modern Data Protection Druva

Today (Jan 23) marks 30 years to the day that W. Curtis Preston joined the backup industry. Fresh out of the US Navy and wanting to make a name for himself, he joined MBNA, a 35-billion dollar credit card company as "the backup guy." Within seven years he would write the industry's first book dedicated to backup, and since that time, he's gone on to be the world's leading expert in backup and recovery. What were backups like in 1993? How have things changed over the years? And how did he apapt to all of those changes? Prasanna takes the lead as host for this episode, asking Curtis a number of very insightful questions. Be sure to join us for this very special episode.