What would happen if a ransomware attack brought your client’s operations to a sudden halt? Are their backups truly ready to withstand such a threat?
For many MSPs, these are all-too-familiar concerns. As data security threats continue to rise, clients rely on you not only to store their data—but to protect it from the worst-case scenario.
This guide explores a tried-and-true framework for backup resilience: the 3-2-1-1-0 strategy. You’ll learn how to implement each part of this approach to keep client data secure—from redundant copies and diversified storage to air-gapped immutability and error-free recoverability.
Ransomware attacks are a growing threat across industries and company sizes. They can result in:
For small businesses, a severe ransomware event could mean total operational failure. For MSPs, protecting clients against this is not optional—it’s mission critical. Ensuring data resilience and rapid recovery is the key to maintaining business continuity and long-term client trust.
The 3-2-1-1-0 strategy builds upon traditional backup practices to provide a structured, modern defense against threats like ransomware. Here’s how it works:
Redundancy is essential. The strategy starts with three copies of data:
If one copy becomes inaccessible—due to corruption, failure, or an attack—you still have two reliable recovery paths.
Diversifying your backup storage reduces the risk of simultaneous failure. Examples include:
Storing backups on different platforms reduces exposure to vulnerabilities that target a specific type of media or network-connected systems.
In the event of a physical disaster (fire, flood, theft), an offsite backup becomes a lifeline. Common options include:
For MSPs, using cloud storage for offsite backups simplifies access, reduces overhead, and improves restore speeds.
This is a game-changer in the fight against ransomware. An immutable backup is locked—uneditable and undeletable—for a specified period. Options include:
Even if a cyberattack infiltrates your network, immutable backups remain untouched—ensuring your clients can recover clean data.
Backups only matter if they work when needed. That’s why the final step is critical:
By proactively validating backups, MSPs can guarantee their reliability in a crisis.
Here's how to bring this framework into practice with your clients:
Assess Critical Data Assets
Identify business-critical files, applications, and databases that need high-priority protection.
Define Storage Resources
Evaluate on-prem and cloud options to meet the strategy’s requirements for redundancy and offsite protection.
Set Up Immutable or Air-Gapped Backups
Configure object storage with immutability or use backup repositories that support logical air-gapping.
Schedule Routine Backup Audits
Regularly verify that all backup jobs complete successfully and that data can be restored quickly.
Educate Client Teams
Provide guidance on ransomware risks and how layered backups enhance organizational resilience.
Ongoing protection requires discipline and best practices, including:
As data sovereignty regulations become stricter, it's important to store client data in-region. Wasabi’s global network of data centers allows MSPs to choose where data resides—supporting compliance, reducing latency, and improving user experience.
Combined with Veeam’s advanced backup and recovery technology, Probax MSP Backup leverages Wasabi’s immutable cloud storage to deliver performance, protection, and peace of mind.
For MSPs, implementing 3-2-1-1-0 doesn’t have to be complex. Probax MSP Backup simplifies the process by integrating:
Probax MSP Backup makes implementing the 3-2-1-1-0 strategy straightforward, efficient, and cost-effective.
Contact us today to discover how we can help enhance your clients’ data protection and ransomware resilience.