Security, privacy and compliance at SimpleBackups

ISO 27001, specifically in Annex A.12.3, outlines requirements for "backup" and disaster recovery in the context of information security. It mandates that organizations implement appropriate backup procedures to protect against data loss, ensuring that information and software essential to business operations are regularly backed up. Backups must be tested periodically to verify their integrity and effectiveness in disaster recovery scenarios. The standard requires that backup copies are stored securely, with defined access controls, and that they are kept separate from the operational environment to prevent data corruption or loss in case of system failure. Additionally, the organization must ensure that backup policies align with business continuity and disaster recovery plans, and that backup procedures comply with legal, regulatory, and contractual obligations.

The GDPR does not explicitly mandate backups, but it requires organizations to implement appropriate technical and organizational measures to ensure the security, availability, and resilience of personal data, as stated in Article 32. While backups are not a direct requirement, they are often necessary to meet these obligations, particularly for ensuring data availability and timely recovery in the event of system failures, breaches, or other disruptions. Consequently, having a robust backup strategy is typically part of demonstrating compliance. Moreover, any backups containing personal data must adhere to GDPR principles, such as data confidentiality and integrity, which means they must be protected with measures like encryption and access controls.

In the context of SOC2, backups are not explicitly required, but they are commonly implemented to meet the Availability and Security principles.
SOC2 focuses on ensuring that systems are reliable and available as committed, and backups are a typical way to achieve this. While organizations have flexibility in how they meet these criteria, a strong backup and disaster recovery plan helps demonstrate the ability to restore data and maintain operations during disruptions. Backups also need to be secured with proper access controls and encryption to comply with SOC2’s confidentiality and security standards.

Under HIPAA’s Security Rule, backups are explicitly required to ensure the availability and integrity of Protected Health Information (PHI).
The Contingency Plan standard (45 CFR § 164.308(a)(7)(ii)(A)) mandates that covered entities and business associates implement a data backup plan to create and maintain retrievable copies of electronic PHI. This ensures that critical health data can be restored in case of emergencies or data loss. Backups must also be protected with appropriate security measures, such as encryption and access controls, to meet HIPAA’s confidentiality, integrity, and availability requirements. Regular testing and verification of these backup plans are strongly recommended to ensure effectiveness.