Backup Encryption Requirements

This question simply asks whether your backup copies are encrypted - scrambled so that even if someone steals the backup drives or tapes, they can't read the data without the encryption key. It's like keeping copies of important documents in a locked safe rather than a filing cabinet.

Unencrypted backups are a massive security vulnerability - they contain all your historical data and are often stored in less secure locations or transported off-site. A single stolen backup tape can expose years of customer data, triggering breach notifications, regulatory fines, and lawsuits. Encrypted backups are essential for compliance and protecting your business from catastrophic data exposure.

Companies often encrypt their primary data but forget about backups, or they encrypt backups stored on-site but not those sent off-site for disaster recovery. Another mistake is using weak or outdated encryption that can be easily broken.