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Reliable Cloud Backup – Soteria Cloud

Ensuring Data Integrity with Reliable Cloud Backup Solutions

What’s the biggest threat to company data? Most internet users would probably say hackers or cybercriminals.

While there’s no denying that digital theft and fraud pose serious risks, a surprising number of data breaches are frequently caused by something far more mundane: misconfigurations and simple human error.

As technology evolves, with new applications and protocols introduced every year, the risk of incorrect settings creating vulnerabilities continues to rise. 

Fortunately, a robust and secure cloud backup solution can help protect your data – even if your system settings aren’t flawless. Let’s explore the dangers posed by internal vulnerabilities and how a secure cloud storage service can reduce your risk.

How Internal Vulnerabilities Threaten Data Integrity

If your business data isn’t managed according to best practices, you’re effectively making life easier for cybercriminals. There are three common issues businesses need to be aware of:

1. Human Error

Regardless of how sophisticated your cybersecurity software is, human error remains one of the leading causes of data breaches, particularly in an era where social engineering and other attack types are on the rise. 

Cybercriminals often trick employees into revealing sensitive information or login credentials. But even without malicious intent, simple misconfigurations can create gaps in your system’s defences, exposing your business to attack without anyone realising it.

2. Malicious Insiders

In more serious cases, employees may intentionally leak sensitive information or pass credentials to bad actors with intent to harm the company. 

This type of threat intersects both cybersecurity and HR policies and can result in legal disputes or even criminal charges. However, by the time these cases are discovered, the damage to your business may already be significant.

3. System Failures

Not all data loss is the result of human behaviour. System failures, software bugs, hardware issues, and configuration errors can all corrupt or delete critical data. 

This risk is further heightened by load-shedding, which increases the chances of sudden failures unless a secure, offsite backup system is in place.

4. Compliance Risks

With the introduction of the Protection of Personal Information (POPI) Act, all businesses that handle client data face increased regulatory pressure. 

The law is designed to protect consumers’ privacy, which is a positive step—but it also means that businesses must be more diligent than ever in how they manage and store sensitive information. 

Non-compliance can lead to heavy fines or even imprisonment, so it’s vital for managers and business owners to ensure they remain compliant.

The Case for Cloud Backup

Given the risks outlined above, it’s clear that operating without a secure data protection strategy is an unnecessary gamble. Thankfully, cloud backup solutions offer an affordable and effective way to minimise your exposure.

What to Look for in a Cloud Storage Package

1. Automated Backups & Versioning

Regular backups reduce the risk of data loss due to human error. Versioning enables you to recover previous copies of your files in the event of accidental or malicious changes.

2. Encryption & Access Controls

Data should be encrypted both in transit and at rest to prevent unauthorised access. Strong access control policies ensure only authorised users can view, edit, or delete backups.

3. Redundancy & Geo-Distributed Storage

Your data should be stored in multiple, geographically distributed locations. This ensures availability even if one server goes offline and protects against local disruptions, cyberattacks, or load-shedding outages. 

You’ll find all of these features and more in our range of secure cloud backup solutions designed for businesses and budgets of all sizes.

The Tangible Benefits of Secure Cloud Storage

Choosing one of our trusted cloud backup packages, especially Total Data Protection, offers real peace of mind, with key benefits including: 

  • Ransomware Protection: Backups enable fast file recovery, even after a cyberattack. 
  • Regulatory Compliance: Stay aligned with POPIA, GDPR, and ISO data protection standards. 
  • Business Continuity: Minimise downtime with rapid data restoration in the event of a loss. 
  • Insider Threat Prevention: Recover deleted files and protect against malicious insider actions.

To find out more about our secure cloud storage solutions and ensure your business is protected, click below.

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Cloud Misconfiguration Pitfalls | Data Breaches

Faulty Cloud Misconfiguration and Other Technical Errors

As the number of cyberattacks affecting South African businesses continues to soar, many IT specialists are coming to the realisation that it’s not only cybercriminals, but also faulty configurations and other technical errors that are to blame for data loss incidents.

It’s not uncommon for these technical errors to come to the fore in the aftermath of a cyberattack when the steps leading up to the incident are analysed. Unfortunately, by then it’s often too late.

Instead, we advocate a proactive approach, whereby companies study the most common configurations that have resulted in data loss at other businesses, and close as many loopholes as possible to avoid a similar fate.

In this article, we highlight some of the most common configuration mistakes that companies make, and how to correct them and pair these efforts with secure cloud storage before an incident occurs.

Unrestricted Ports and Services

Open ports are an open-door invitation for criminals to help themselves to your valuable data. Fortunately, resolving this issue is usually quite simple and provides a huge security boost without a large time or financial investment.

  • Leaving unnecessary ports open can provide attackers with entry points into cloud environments. 
  • Misconfigurations that result in unrestricted access to services can be exploited, leading to unauthorised data access or system compromise.

Excessive Permissions

Setting appropriate permission levels for team members can help prevent your data from falling into the wrong hands—even within the organisation. 

  • Multi-factor authentication ensures that only authorised users are able to access your network. 
  • Taking it a step further by assigning data and knowledge permissions only to those whose title and rank justify it is equally important.

Lack of Encryption

Failing to encrypt data at rest and in transit can expose it to interception and unauthorised access. Implementing robust encryption protocols is essential to protect data integrity and confidentiality.

  • Despite the rise in cyberattacks, a surprisingly large number of companies still do not have proper encryption protocols in place. 
  • This is especially dangerous for data that resides on file systems and user devices but has not yet been backed up in the cloud.

Migrating to a cloud-based storage solution that places virtually all newly created files in the cloud—using the latest data encryption technology—can help close security gaps and ensure that the most recent versions of important files are safe and accessible in the event of a cyberattack.

Consequences of Cloud Misconfigurations

The fallout from cloud misconfigurations can be severe, leading to financial, reputational, and legal damage to your business. Several high-profile cyberattacks have cost businesses millions in recent years.

On the global stage, American telecommunications giant AT&T agreed to pay $13 million to settle an investigation by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) concerning a data breach that occurred due to a cloud vendor’s misconfiguration.

Closer to home, a report released in late 2024 indicates that companies in South Africa lost in excess of R350 million in the biggest data breaches of recent years. With the likes of

With Experian, Pam Golding estate agency, and several government agencies all having fallen prey to cybercriminals – and the Information Regulator warning that basic cyber safety measures, including security configurations, have not been taken in many cases—the potential risk of misconfigurations can’t be overstated.

The Importance of Regular Security Audits

Conducting regular security audits is vital to identify and rectify misconfigurations before they can be exploited. These audits should include:

  • Configuration Reviews: Frequently assessing cloud configurations to ensure compliance with security best practices, and making this part of company policy, can help detect weaknesses before they escalate.
  • Access Controls Evaluation: It’s essential to verify that access permissions are appropriately assigned, in line with “least privilege” allocations.
  • Vulnerability Scanning: Automated tools that detect vulnerabilities and misconfigurations within the cloud environment can save time and significantly reduce risk.
  • Incident Response Planning: A cybercrime response plan will help ensure that swift action can be taken in the event of a data compromise incident.
  • Secure Cloud Storage: Fully encrypted storage offers the ability to restore compromised data, even in a worst-case scenario.

Add an Essential Layer of Protection to Your Data with Secure Cloud Storage

Tightening your security configuration practices to make your data harder to access is a vital online safety measure — but it must be complemented by secure cloud storage to be truly effective.

Our range of data defence products for businesses of all sizes will help secure your data at a time when hackers are ramping up their criminal actions. Secure your data with us today.

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Estate Agency Data Breach – Cloud Backup Solutions

A Credit Bureau, an Estate Agency, and a Web of Cybercrime Intrigue

One of the country’s most prestigious real estate companies obtaining leaked customer information from the Experian data breach reads like a work of fiction. Yet this bizarre possibility is playing out in the media right now, with all parties involved scrambling to limit the damage to their reputations.

Real Estate Agency Pam Golding has been associated with luxury real estate in South Africa for decades, with the company successfully crafting a brand centred around exclusivity and the highest standards. 

However, a recent data incident concerning the company’s contact database is shining an uncomfortable spotlight on this well-known estate agent’s network and its potentially bizarre connection to last year’s Experian data leak.

Did property giant Pam Golding obtain information from a data leak?

One of SA’s best known companies’ handling of sensitive information was publicly brought into question recently when a cybersecurity researcher noticed a strange pattern of data ownership regarding their own email address.

The researcher, who is  extremely careful when it comes to online privacy, used a catch-all email address with various aliases when entering their information online – a practice that’s worth emulating in your own personal and business dealings.

So far, there’s nothing surprising in the story –  until you find out what happened next: the individual discovered that their email address had been compromised after Pam Golding revealed that a large chunk of its database had been subject to unauthorised access earlier this year, apparently due to stolen credentials. 

  • The perplexing aspect of this incident was that the individual had never provided Pam Golding with the alias email address they usually use online.
  • On further inspection, they discovered that the realtor had also sent them a direct marketing email several months prior, once again to the same address that had never been voluntarily provided. However, the same address had been part of the Experian data breach that affected millions of customers across the country. 

The awkward question that arises from all of this is: how did Pam Golding come to possess this email address, and how many other people’s personal information does the company currently hold without their knowledge? 

As cybersecurity experts, we can think of two possible explanations for what happened: 

  1. Pam Golding somehow obtained leaked personal information from the Experian data breach last year, or 
  2. Experian provided them with this information through official – if not legitimate – means.

As a reputable and large business, which is very much a household name across South Africa and even in neighbouring markets like Mauritius, it’s hard to imagine Pam Golding skimming the dark net for opportunities to buy leaked Experian data. 

The far more likely explanation is that Experian has been sharing the personal details of credit customers from its database with third parties for a fee. As such, it’s more plausible that Experian, and not Pam Golding, has serious questions to answer regarding the protection of personal data privacy.

Are credit bureaus doing a side trade in confidential client information?

The allegation that credit bureaus sometimes sell confidential information to other businesses may be disturbing but it’s not new. Dominic White, one of the country’s foremost cybersecurity experts, has been speculating for years that this is the case. 

Without accusing either organisation of wrongdoing, it’s not a far stretch to assume that something of this nature might have happened in a case like this.

Pam Golding declines to comment, citing POPI regulations

The media has reacted with an understandable measure of alarm in the wake of the Pam Golding and Experian accusations, and to date the real estate group has been tight-lipped about the details of the incident. It must be mentioned however, that Pam Golding took immediate steps to contain the breach, acting swiftly to secure their systems and removing all unauthorised access.

In an ironic twist, Pam Golding maintains that they’re unable to comment on any aspect of their clients’ data in order to remain in compliance with the Protection of Personal Information Act. 

This, despite the fact that obtaining sensitive customer information from a third party without the owner’s permission could likely constitute a breach of the Act itself.

Whatever the outcome of this embarrassing incident may be, the lesson for all businesses is clear: consumers are no longer willing to tolerate the mishandling of their personal information, and when companies are suspected of acting irregularly, the incident is likely to become highly publicised and do damage to their reputation.

Protect your data and your business reputation today

If this incident has given you cause for thought as to the best practices to follow in your own business when handling client information, we’d like to support you in creating a comprehensive data security approach that protects not only your information, but that of your clients. 

Our range of secure cloud storage packages, particularly our Total Data Protection offering, can help ensure that all customer information is kept safe and help you comply fully with POPIA. Click the button below to learn more.

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SASSA Vulnerabilities Report – Cybercrime

SA Social Security Agency Releases Report on Large-Scale Cybersecurity Breach

The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) has released an in-depth report following a large-scale breach of its cyber defences last year which is alleged to have cost taxpayers an estimated R175 million. 

The findings raise serious questions about the cybersecurity protocols in place at government departments and suggest several key areas for improvement.

While the cyberattack on SASSA was significant, it was not unique. With organisations of all sizes increasingly falling prey to hackers and cybercriminals, the report offers valuable lessons that every organisation can implement. 

Let’s take a closer look at what happened, what the investigation uncovered, and how businesses can use this information to keep their own data safe.

Large-Scale Cybersecurity Breach Detected by University Students

When hackers breached SASSA’s defences, they helped themselves to an enormous sum of money which was ultimately financed by South African taxpayers. The hacking group N4ughtySecGroup, which claimed responsibility, alleged that the amount stolen exceeds R175 million. 

A troubling revelation for commentators and the public is that the breach wasn’t detected by the department itself. In fact it was first-year computer science students Joel Cedras and Veer Gosai from Stellenbosch University who stumbled upon it while working on a research project.

In the wake of their discovery, SASSA launched an investigation, with cybersecurity specialist Stanly Machote and auditing firm Masegare & Associates tasked with uncovering how such a critical security failure had occurred. 

The report, recently presented to Parliament, outlines the modus operandi of those responsible, though their identities remain classified.

  • The hackers exploited vulnerabilities in the Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant system, which was introduced during the COVID-19 lockdown as a R350-per-month survival grant. 
  • The government later extended these payments as a form of universal basic income for struggling families. Unfortunately, due to the sheer volume of applicants, authorities appear to have been unable to track exactly who was receiving SRD payments or whether the recipients were legitimate.

In analysing how, when, and why the SRD system was compromised, the report commissioned by SASSA outlines the following vulnerabilities in the department’s security infrastructure:

  1. API vulnerabilities – No rate limiting allowed mass querying of ID numbers, exposing application statuses.
  2. Data exposure & fraud risks – Sensitive applicant details were accessible, and high application rates suggested possible identity misuse.
  3. Unauthorised applications & payments – Grants were linked to ID numbers of non-applicants, raising misallocation concerns.
  4. Unofficial websites & phishing threats – Fake sites collected personal data, leading to financial loss and compliance risks.
  5. Authentication & phone-related risks – Multiple applications per number, SIM swap fraud, and inadequate cellphone ownership validation increased fraud potential.
  6. Encryption & security weaknesses – Poor encryption, missing security headers, and weak content security policies left data vulnerable.
  7. System & server vulnerabilities – Weak portal security, misconfigurations, directory enumeration risks, and unencrypted communications exposed the system to attacks.

For tech experts, this list reads like a how-not-to guide for cybersecurity, highlighting just how much SASSA’s lack of basic security protocols contributed to the breach. A reliance on old technology made the system an easy target for cybercriminals.

The report’s bottom line recommendations are clear: a serious overhaul of the department’s cybersecurity framework is long overdue.

The Lesson for Businesses: Don’t Repeat SASSA’s Mistakes

It’s easy to criticise the government’s lack of cyber preparedness and see it as yet another example of inefficiency, but the reality is that many businesses- both large and small- suffer from similar vulnerabilities.

  • A full-scale cybersecurity audit may sound expensive, but for larger businesses storing vast amounts of sensitive client data, it could be a necessity rather than a luxury.
  • No matter the size of your business, one of the most cost-effective ways to strengthen cybersecurity is through secure cloud storage, fully integrated across all the applications your team relies on.

To learn more about our range of data security products, including our comprehensive Total Data Protection (TDP) System, visit our website today.

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Cybercriminal Threat to SA – Cybercrime

South Africans Suffering at the Fingertips of Cybercriminals

It’s barely three months old, and already this year appears to be another troubling one in terms of cybercrime for South Africans. 

As SA retains its unwanted crown as the African continent’s biggest target for ransomware attacks, cybercriminals are becoming increasingly bold as they target major government organisations and corporations.

In this article, we lay out the facts surrounding the wave of online attacks facing the country and find out just what can be done to secure your personal and business data.

The worrying cybersecurity landscape in South Africa

Over the past decade, South Africa has gone from a relatively obscure target for cybercriminals to a region with one of the most active cybercrime activity levels. 

With ransomware attacks, phishing attempts, and credential theft on the rise, no business can afford to think that it’s safe from the malicious intentions of cybercriminals.

  • Despite accounting for less than 5% of Africa’s population, SA represents 40% of all cyberattacks carried out on the continent.
  • Client financial data, intellectual property, crypto wallets, and other valuable data are densely concentrated in South Africa’s relatively affluent and more developed economy, making it the ideal target for cybercriminals focusing on victims south of the Sahara.

In spite of reports of cyberattacks frequently appearing in the media, South African businesses remain inadequately prepared in the face of cyberattacks.  According to a 2024 security awareness report, organisations often rely on outdated antivirus software and rudimentary firewalls as their line of defence with inadequate online backup.

The extent of the country’s lack of readiness to deter cyberattacks has been on display again recently, with high-profile incidents affecting the South African Weather Service and National Laboratory Services over the past six months. 

As government struggles to secure its own data from hackers, small to medium-sized businesses are scrambling to establish data security protocols under the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA).

The good news: Cyber defence doesn’t require a multimillion-Rand budget

A common myth circulating in the SMB sphere is that cybersecurity is simply too expensive and complex to be practical for small businesses, and that hackers probably won’t bother with a small enterprise anyway.

Neither of these statements is factually correct. 

As business owners come to terms with the urgent need to beef up their online security, there are data security packages that can help substantially mitigate the risk of a damaging cyberattack and assist in data recovery if an attack does occur.

  • Small business owners who don’t have a technical background in IT are usually apprehensive about signing up for data defence packages that are overly complex and difficult to implement. 
  • At the same time, the current economic climate means that managers and owners are keeping an eye on costs. 

In this context, the ideal data security package is one that offers excellent protection, is easy to use for non-specialists, and can fit easily into a reasonable company budget.

Total Data Protection is a great fit for any company 

In response to the needs of business owners, Soteria Cloud has developed a total data protection package that offers next-level security powered by Acronis. Our solutions are easy to use, customisable for a variety of applications, and provide comprehensive data protection at a single competitive price. 

To learn more about our reliable data protection offerings, click the button below.

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Cyberattack Response Plan – Cybersecurity

The First 24 Hours: Your 7 Step Cyberattack Response Plan

Logging onto your device only to find that you’ve become the latest victim of the current wave of cyberattacks sweeping the country is one of the scariest moments for any internet user. 

When your data is on the line and time is of the essence, it may seem natural to panic, but that’s the last thing you should do. The first 24 hours following an attack is a crucial time window for limiting damage and restoring systems, and you’ll need a plan in place to respond effectively. 

By following the series of steps outlined in this article, you’ll be able to assess the scale of the damage, take proactive steps to mitigate data loss, and hopefully emerge from the cyberattack with all (or at least some) of your data and your company’s reputation intact.

How to React When Hackers Strike

The first thing to do after a cyberattack is to remain calm. Notify management of what has happened and start taking steps to assess and mitigate the damage by following this structured step-by-step incident response plan; Identify, Isolate, Notify & Protect, Analyse, Report, Reset, Protect.

Here’s what you need to do:

1. Identify the Attack

A ransomware attack typically starts with a message from the hackers, stating that your data has been compromised and providing further instructions, such as the ransom amount and how to pay it. 

Whatever you do, don’t even consider following these instructions until you’ve completed the next step.

2. Isolate the Affected Systems ASAP

Your priority following a cyberattack is to isolate the device or network that has been compromised. This means powering down and disconnecting the device from your network without delay. 

These steps may help to slow the spread of malware or ransomware to other devices in your organisation.

3. Notify and Protect Your Network

Alert key personnel such as your IT manager or outsourced networking consultant immediately. Once they are available, convene a “war room” with the IT department, management, and possibly legal and PR advisors to mitigate the potential damage to your network and your company’s reputation.

4. Analyse the Damage

There are several types of damage a cyberattack can cause: 

  • Financial damage from lost data and downtime
  • Damage to your computer network that may take time to restore 
  • Reputational damage that your business may suffer if the cyberattack becomes public knowledge. 

It’s important to realistically assess the worst-case and medium-case scenarios and start fixing the damage as soon as possible.

5. Report the Incident

Cyberattacks must be reported to the Cybersecurity Hub at the national CSIRT as soon as they occur. In cases where fraud is suspected or a large amount of customer data has been leaked, you may also need to report the incident to law enforcement authorities.

6. Reset, Patch, and Update

With the help of a trusted IT professional, reset your computer network, patch the vulnerabilities that allowed the attack to occur in the first place, and update your files with the most recent versions from your secure cloud backup. 

This will help you get your business up and running again. 

7. Post-attack security upgrade

Finally, be sure to remove any malware that hackers may have installed to gain access to your network and prevent similar attacks from taking place weeks or months down the line.

Implement a total data protection plan

To help ensure that your business is prepared for future cyberattacks, if you don’t already have reliable cloud backup and a secure data protection plan, this would be the time to upgrade your security.

Secure cloud storage, particularly comprehensive encrypted data storage solutions like our
Total Data Protection package, will help keep your sensitive files safe in the cloud.

Trust Soteria Cloud to safeguard your valuable data while focus on your core business. Get Total Data Protection today.

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Proactive Defence – Cybersecurity

Beyond Defence: Proactive Approaches to Cybersecurity in the Digital Age

As the Cybersecurity landscape evolves, a new generation of threats is emerging faster than ever.

Powered by AI and other advances in technology, the latest cybercrime risks are developing faster than any defensive strategy can keep up with. That’s why a proactive approach is so crucial when setting up a multi layered cyber defence system for your business.

By learning more about proactive defence you’ll be in a better position to keep your sensitive data safe at a time when thousands of cyberattacks take place worldwide every day. Let’s start by taking a look at the necessity for several layers of cyber defence.

The importance of proactive cybersecurity

Today’s cybersecurity landscape is characterised by rapidly evolving threats. Unlike the situation of ten or twenty years ago where a good antivirus programme and firewall were sufficient to keep most viruses at bay, the current and future scenario is complex and subject to rapid change.

The rise of AI, in tandem with the growing ranks of black hat tech specialists working in cahoots with cybercriminals, has created a wave of new online threats that threaten to overwhelm traditional defences. Of these, Advanced Persistent Threats (APTs) are of particular concern to business owners.

  • Imagine a hacker gaining access to your network and sitting idle for weeks or even months, spying on the internal workings of your business and reading through your confidential documents at their leisure until they spot the perfect target for a cyberattack.
  • This is exactly how APT attacks are carried out – and why they’re both hard to spot and frustrating to respond to. A proactive approach is the only way to spot these attacks in time and respond to them.

Threat intelligence and rapid response: the new cybersecurity gold standard

With cybercriminals harnessing the power of AI and machine learning to create new threats, the cyber defence industry needs to use them to counter the risks of major data losses. Detecting stealth attacks and limiting the damage they can do are now the primary objectives of any effective cybersecurity strategy.

  • AI-driven cybersecurity software, including the top-level detection tool we offer in partnership with Acronis, can help spot potential attacks in real time.
  • Effective encryption and user permissions, including file locking and need-to-know basis data sharing, can help limit the extent to which hackers can read and use compromised files.

A holistic approach to cyber defence

Smart secure cloud storage, which ensures timely online backups across various apps and can be customised by IT managers, is the only approach that stands a chance of keeping up with cybercriminals in 2025.

You’ll find these features and more in our Total Data Protection package. Click the button below to learn more.

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Acronis Partnership Solutions – Cloud Backup

5 Ways Acronis Integration Supercharges Your Cloud Backup Experience

At Soteria, one thing that’s always on our minds is keeping your data safe in the cloud using the latest technology to ensure a seamless user experience. 

Over the years, we’ve invested in loadshedding-proof data centres, scalable backup solutions culminating in total data protection, and immutable storage to ensure that your vital information remains encrypted and accessible only to you.

Through our partnership with Acronis, a leader in data backup and protection, our team is fully certified and benefits from continuous training in order to assist our clients to harness the power of one of the best cloud storage systems available internationally – with access to top-tier solutions.

Acronis remains at the forefront of innovation, investing in research and development to anticipate technological trends. Their cutting-edge solutions include blockchain-based data validation, AI-driven ransomware protection, and integrated disaster recovery which means that you have access to the best practices and insights in the industry.

Market leader

Acronis stands out in the data protection and backup industry thanks to its comprehensive solutions, from backups and disaster recovery to cybersecurity and secure file sharing.

With a strong global presence and trusted brand, it partners with major players like Microsoft and VMware for seamless integrations. Its focus on cybersecurity, including anti-ransomware features enhances its appeal, while user-friendly interfaces make it accessible to all skill levels.

The Gold Standard in data protection 

With cyberattacks on the rise, your business can’t afford to have anything but the best data protection. 

Some of the features we offer through our valued partnerships with Acronis include backup and recovery solutions that help to make sure your data is securely backed up and can be easily restored. This helps to reduce downtime and data loss to a minimum in the event of a cyberattack. 

Smooth cloud integration

Off site storage is key when it comes to avoiding data corruption and physical theft of backup drives. 

Cloud integration ensures that your valuable data is stored in an encrypted format and remains accessible 24/7 from anywhere on earth using trusted credentials. 

Easy to use interface

You shouldn’t need to be an IT expert to back up and manage your data. We’ve partnered with Acronis to bring you one of the best designed UXs in the cloud storage industry. 

This will help to avoid operational errors and make data backup accessible to all members of your team. 

Advanced security even with cross-platform integration

Staying a step ahead of the hackers on various operating systems and devices means you need the most technically advanced cybersecurity available today with enhanced operational efficiency. 

Our offering includes built-in security measures like ransomware protection and immutable encryption, which add an extra defensive shield of security to your sensitive data.

Secure your data with our cutting edge packages 

If you’re ready to experience the effortless convenience of our highly secure cloud storage packages, visit our services page today. You’re sure to find a solution that suits the needs and scale of your business. 

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Proactive Cybersecurity – One Step Ahead

Preparing for a Cyberattack: Why Proactive Backup Is Your Best Defense

Is there anything you can do to prepare for a cyberattack ahead of time and be ready to restore your valuable data? The answer is a resounding, proactive YES. Here’s what business owners need to know to stay ahead of the online crooks.

Cyberattacks: Not if but when – and what then?

Global cyberattacks continue to be one of the top worries of IT managers and company owners worldwide, with an estimated 5,200 victims of ransomware incidents estimated for this year. These destructive attacks are expected to more than double in 2024.

Disruptive attacks
Image courtesy of QEB

Cybercriminals often see significant financial rewards from these illegal activities , which is why these figures remain alarmingly high. For business owners and managers this means being proactive about cybersecurity is crucial to safeguarding your business against the evolving threat landscape.

Proactive backup is one of the best practices we recommend to all our clients. “Proactive cybersecurity” means anticipating future problems or changes to take appropriate action, immediately. With careful planning “before or in the event of” a cyberattack, you can keep your company information secure and recover quickly in the event of a cyberattack.

Put simply – being proactive means being ahead of the game – being proactive to prevent an attack from taking place rather than reactive once your data is seriously compromised.

Proactive Backup: Staying ahead of the hackers

Simply signing up for a backup service is a good first step towards protecting your company’s data, but that alone is not enough to ensure your critical files are safe in the cloud and accessible when needed.

A proactive approach to backup means ensuring the following steps are taken:

Your files are backed up regularly

Scheduling automatic backups ensures that the latest version of your files is always saved in the cloud. This minimises the risk of data loss resulting from a breach or technical failure, preventing a situation where only outdated versions of files are available for restoration.

The right files are backed up

It’s essential to ensure that critical business documents—such as financial records, proprietary information, and especially client records protected under the Protection of Personal Information (POPI) Act — are included in your secure cloud folder.

Threats are detected early

Ongoing monitoring is vital. Ensuring any suspicious network activity is promptly reported to your IT manager helps detect cyberthreats at their earliest stages. This enables you to act quickly and take emergency measures to protect your systems.

Total Data Protection puts you in full control

Finding a single solution that blends secure cloud storage, automated backup, and monitoring used to be difficult – until now, that is.

With Soteria Cloud’s Total Data Protection plan you are in total control of your backups with a full range of customisable options. Click the button below to learn more.

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Be Prepared – 2025 Cybersecurity Trends

Be Prepared – Cybersecurity Trends for 2025. What’s Hot and What’s Not

The new year is almost upon us, and by the time you read this article, it may already be here. As we anticipate the opportunities 2025 will bring, it is equally crucial for business owners to assess the cybersecurity challenges facing their businesses and the country as a whole.

From well-known threats like malware and ransomware, which are rapidly evolving, to newer concerns such as IoT hijacking and AI-driven cyberattacks, the wave of online criminality continues to escalate. 

Here are some of the key cybersecurity trends and risks to be aware of in the coming year.

AI-driven cyberattacks present a new threat

The rise of generative AI applications, such as ChatGPT, is transforming the way businesses operate worldwide, and cybercriminals are taking notice.

  • One of the primary uses that online criminals have found for generative AI is the creation and refinement of phishing messages, making them appear exceptionally convincing. 
  • As a result, traditional warning signs of phishing, such as poor grammar or spelling mistakes, are no longer reliable indicators.

To mitigate this risk, it is essential to verify any communication requesting payments or containing suspicious links with the sender before taking any action.

Hackers target IoT devices

The Internet of Things (IoT) is growing significantly, with an estimated 18.8 billion smart devices in use worldwide.

Unfortunately, cybersecurity for IoT devices is often overlooked, leaving them vulnerable to hacking. 

A single unsecured IoT device can serve as an entry point for criminals, potentially compromising an organisation’s entire network.

As IoT adoption continues to grow, we anticipate a rise in IoT-related attacks in 2025. Businesses must prioritise securing these devices to prevent exploitation.

Combating cybersecurity threats with zero-trust architecture

As new threats loom on the horizon in 2025, business owners are taking action to secure their data. 

In addition to traditional measures such as updated antivirus software and reliable firewalls, advanced strategies like cloud storage, multifactor authentication, and total data protection  (TDP) have become essential.

  • At the forefront of these strategies is zero-trust architecture, which requires network users to verify their identity using secure login credentials before accessing sensitive files.
  • If your organisation’s security protocols allow users to upload, download, or modify files without thorough identity verification, the zero-trust approach mandates immediate changes to these settings. 

This method ensures that only authorised users can access your company’s critical data.

Looking ahead to a safer 2025

Soteria Cloud wishes all its clients a prosperous 2025, in the knowledge that our team remains committed to making the new year even safer from a data security perspective. In today’s digital landscape, investing in cybersecurity in 2025 is critical both for the sustainability and growth of your business.

Powered by Acronis, our platform combines advanced security measures with seamless backup processes and our team of fully certified Acronis professionals is ready to guide you as you take action today to secure your data tomorrow.

To learn more about our products, including TDP, and how they can safeguard your files. Call us on +27 (0) 87 943 2288, email sales@soteriacloud.com or visit our product page today to review our options.

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