PCI Backup Guide

TL;DR

This guide shows you how to regularly backup your systems that handle PCI data. Backups are essential for recovering from disasters, security incidents, and hardware failures. We’ll cover planning, types of backups, testing, and secure storage.

1. Backup Planning

1. Identify PCI Data: Know exactly what data is in scope for PCI DSS. This includes cardholder names, numbers, expiry dates, CVV codes, and any sensitive authentication data.
2. Recovery Point Objective (RPO): How much data loss can your business tolerate? (e.g., 24 hours, 1 hour). This determines how often you need to back up.
3. Recovery Time Objective (RTO): How long can your systems be down before it causes significant damage? This influences the type of backup and restoration process.
4. Backup Schedule: Based on RPO, create a schedule (e.g., daily full backups, hourly incremental backups).
5. Retention Policy: How long will you keep backups? PCI DSS requires retention for a minimum period; check your specific requirements.

2. Backup Types

1. Full Backups: Copy all selected data each time. Simplest to restore, but take the longest and use most storage space.
2. Incremental Backups: Only copy data that has changed since the last backup (full or incremental). Faster than full backups, smaller size, but restoration is more complex.
3. Differential Backups: Copy data that has changed since the last full backup. A compromise between full and incremental – faster than full, slower than incremental; restoration is simpler than incremental.
4. Snapshot Backups: Create a point-in-time copy of your system. Very fast for backups and restores but can be resource intensive. Often used in virtual environments.

Example using rsync (Linux/Unix) for incremental backups:

rsync -avz --delete /source/directory /destination/directory

3. Backup Procedures

1. Database Backups: Use database-specific tools (e.g., mysqldump for MySQL, SQL Server Management Studio). Ensure backups are consistent and include transaction logs if needed.
2. File System Backups: Use tools like rsync, tar, or dedicated backup software.
3. Virtual Machine Backups: Use the hypervisor’s built-in backup features (e.g., VMware vSphere Data Protection, Hyper-V Backup).
4. Operating System Backups: Create system images using tools like Clonezilla or Acronis True Image.

4. Secure Storage

1. Encryption: Encrypt backups both in transit and at rest. Use strong encryption algorithms (e.g., AES-256).
2. Access Control: Restrict access to backups to authorized personnel only. Implement multi-factor authentication where possible.
3. Offsite Storage: Store backups in a physically separate location from the primary systems. This protects against fire, theft, and other disasters. Consider cloud storage with appropriate security measures.
4. Media Security: If using physical media (tapes, external drives), store them securely and track their location.

5. Backup Testing

1. Regular Restore Tests: Test backups regularly to ensure they can be restored successfully. Don’t just verify the backup completed; actually restore data to a test environment.
2. Full System Recovery Tests: Periodically perform a full system recovery test, simulating a disaster scenario.
3. Documentation: Document the backup and restoration procedures in detail.
4. Test Frequency: Test backups at least annually, or more frequently if there are significant changes to your systems.

6. Monitoring & Reporting

1. Backup Logs: Monitor backup logs for errors and failures. Set up alerts to notify you of any issues.
2. Storage Capacity: Track storage capacity usage to ensure sufficient space is available for backups.
3. Reporting: Generate reports on backup status, retention policies, and test results.