What is the purpose of cybersecurity images? How does it work? These are the following questions we will discuss with you.
What Are Cybersecurity Images?
A cybersecurity image is a virtual version of every operating system and software application. Including the installation of all the drivers and software.
This technology has been used for years in server backup solutions. But today’s technology enables you to create highly detailed images.
Also, a faithful image of your physical server using a USB flash drive. In the past, the process was not so easy because you had to do it from the BIOS.
Today, it can be done from within Windows without having to touch a physical hardware switch.
How Does It Work?
There are two main methods of creating an image. This is using imaging software such as Acronis True Image or Clonezilla.
Using an imaging tool such as Norton Ghost or Macrium Reflect Free Edition. Macrium Reflect Free Edition is free for personal noncommercial use.
Each will create an image that can be used later to restore your physical server to the same state it was in when the image was created. However, Macrium Reflect Free Edition provides additional features.
That is not available with Acronis True Image or Norton Ghost. For instance, Macrium Reflect allows you to clone your physical server onto another physical computer/server.
Or even a virtual machine (VM) on your computer (not included). It also allows you to maintain multiple versions of each operating system and application.
It is for use in case you ever need to go back to a previous version of some software. This can be useful if viruses have corrupted your software and you need an earlier copy.
This is with an unaltered copy of the files that were infected by malware. However, with Acronis True Image, you can restore only one OS at a time on one computer/server at a time.
If you need multiple OSs restored at once on different computers/servers or different versions of Windows on one computer/server. Then Macrium Reflect is the better option for you.
The process for creating an image varies depending on which method you choose. Here are some sample steps for creating an image using Acronis True Image:
– Verify that your hard drive is at least 50% free.
– Create a bootable CD or flash drive with Acronis True Image.
– Power on your physical server and boot from the CD/flash drive.
– Choose to create a full backup by clicking on the “Acronis True Image” button.
– At the next screen, choose to save the image to an external flash drive plugged into a USB port.
– Click Next, then Advanced, and choose to save the image as a .tib file.
– Click again the next, then click Finish.
This will create an image of your physical server on your external flash drive (or CD). It can then be used later to restore your physical server to that state.
How Important Are Cybersecurity Images?
Cybersecurity images have many uses, but the most important one is to create a backup of your physical server. This can be done promptly before you need to restore your physical server.
You may not have time if your server crashes or malware infects it. If you have not created a backup, it will take time to install all of your applications and sync all of your data back to the server.
So with a backup image, you can quickly restore the server to its previous state in minutes. This can be done without having to wait for a hardware vendor to send out replacement parts.
Or to redo all of the installations in the case of an OS reinstallation. It is also important because it can help you avoid paying expensive recovery costs.
From a hardware vendor such as Dell or HP for instance.
