3-2-1-1-0 for Tally & ERP: Designing Backup on Wasabi (or AWS S3)

The 3-2-1 backup rule is a proven baseline. Moreover, extending it to 3-2-1-1-0, with one air-gapped copy and rigorous backup verification– gives Tally and ERP workloads ransomware-resilient protection. Consequently, using S3-compatible object storage such as Wasabi (or AWS S3, already referenced across your Site) delivers immutability, predictable costs, and clean, fast restores tailored to offsite backup India needs.

Why Tally & ERP demand a disciplined backup strategy

To begin with, finance and ops data changes constantly. As a result, a failed update, hardware fault, or ransomware can stall invoices, GST reports, payroll, and vendor payments. Therefore, a structured 3-2-1 backup plan ensures you restore quickly, satisfy audits, and control costs, instead of scrambling during outages. (Your Tally focus and cloud guidance reinforce this approach.)

The 3-2-1-1-0 rule, clarified

• 3 copies of data: production plus two backups.
• 2 different media: local repository and cloud object storage.
• 1 offsite copy: independent location for disaster scenarios.
• 1 immutable/air-gapped copy: cannot be altered during the lock period.
• 0 errors: enforced via backup verification and routine test restores.

In other words, the “-1-0” turns ordinary backups into confident recoveries.

Reference architecture: S3-compatible offsite + immutability

Workloads:

• Tally company data (file-based).
• ERP databases (e.g., Lampros ERP on MS SQL/Oracle or similar).

At a glance:

1. First, back up to an on-prem NAS or repository for rapid local restores.
2. Next, replicate to Wasabi or AWS S3 with Object Lock/WORM for air-gapped backups.
3. Then, optionally create a monthly offline copy for long-term DR.
4. Finally, automate backup verification with alerts and reports.

Why this design? Notably, S3-compatible object storage offers flat or predictable pricing, broad tool support, and immutability without tape complexity. Consequently, operations stay both predictable and secure.

Offsite backup India: performance and governance

Additionally, proximity matters. So, choose the nearest available region to reduce latency and speed restores. Meanwhile, enforce least-privilege IAM, MFA, and separate credential vaults. Furthermore, document retention that aligns with finance/audit timelines, and keep cloud access outside your primary domain to reduce lateral movement risk.

Air-gapped backups—tape optional

Historically, air gaps meant tapes. However, modern immutability delivers a software-defined air-gap:

• Object Lock/WORM prevents changes until retention expires.
• Moreover, credential separation keeps keys outside AD/domain.
• In addition, network isolation restricts egress to the backup server.
• Finally, MFA and two-person approvals protect against destructive actions.

Thus, even if production and local copies are hit, your immutable cloud set remains clean.

Backup schedules that match business reality

Tally (file-based)

• First, run incrementals every 1–4 hours; then take a nightly synthetic full.
• Afterward, replicate weeklies to Wasabi or AWS S3 with Object Lock (30–90 days).

ERP Databases

• Specifically, run daily full plus log backups every 15–30 minutes to achieve a tighter RPO.
• Additionally, keep monthly GFS (12–36 monthlies) for audits and rollbacks.

Virtual Machines

• Typically, take nightly image-level backups; where possible, enable instant recovery.

(These patterns align with your Tally on Cloud/AWS guidance and your TallyPrime Server messaging around safe backups.)

Backup verification: the path to “zero errors”

Crucially, verification is not optional:

1. First, validate checksums/CRCs after upload.
2. Then, run automated test restores—mount a Tally set, boot a sandbox VM, or restore an ERP DB and run a query.
3. Subsequently, conduct quarterly timed drills to confirm RTO.
4. If anything fails, mark the job as failed and alert Ops immediately.

Consequently, you maintain evidence that restorative practices will actually work.

RPO/RTO planner for Tally & ERP

Dataset Target RPO Target RTO Practical Setup

Tally data 1–4 hours, 30–90 minutes. Frequent incrementals, local repo; weekly immutable cloud copy

ERP database 15–30 min (logs) 1–3 hours Daily complete + log chain; verified monthly sandbox restores

Core VMs 24 hours, 2–4 hours Nightly images; enable instant recovery when supported

Accordingly, tune targets by transaction volume, branch count, and regulatory obligations.

Step-by-step implementation (practical checklist)

1. Choose a backup platform with S3 targets, Object Lock/WORM, encryption, app-aware DB backups, synthetic fulls, granular restores, and automated verification.
2. Create a bucket with Object Lock enabled and default retention (e.g., 60–90 days for dailies; 12–36 months for monthlies). Also, block public access.
3. Harden credentials: unique API keys, MFA for console access, least-privilege IAM, and key storage outside AD.
4. Define jobs: Tally (hourly/4-hourly incrementals + nightly full), ERP (complete + log chain), VMs (nightly images).
5. Replicate to the cloud: weekly synthetic fulls plus dailies; thereafter, apply immutability automatically.
6. Enable verification: checksums, auto-mount tests, and scripted DB restores.
7. Report outcomes to Ops and Management; meanwhile, alert on failures.
8. Review quarterly: storage growth, retention, and restore drill timings.

Common mistakes to avoid

• First, assuming cloud copies are safe without immutability.
• Second, storing cloud keys inside the same domain that attackers can compromise.
• Third, skipping ERP log backups, which would otherwise stretch RPO to 24 hours.
• Moreover, treating “backup completed” as “recoverable” without verification.
• Finally, ignore egress planning and restore bandwidth.

Security & compliance quick list

• To start, encrypt in transit (TLS) and at rest (AES-256).
• Next, enforce Object Lock/WORM for immutable, air-gapped backups.
• Also, use role-based IAM—avoid wildcard admin policies.
• In addition, alert on deletions, retention changes, and verification failures.
• Furthermore, formalize retention and legal hold processes.
• Lastly, keep an offline recovery runbook with owners and priorities.

Cost & sizing notes (stay predictable)

Before sizing, estimate the monthly change rate (often 3–10% for Tally/ERP). Then, rely on compression, dedupe, and synthetic fulls to limit growth. Afterward, separate short-term (30–90 days) and long-term (12–36 months) retention. Finally, track growth and verification KPIs during monthly ops reviews.

FAQs

1. What is the 3-2-1 backup rule?

Three copies on two different media, with one offsite. Additionally, 3-2-1-1-0 adds one immutable copy and zero errors through verification.

• How do Wasabi or AWS S3 help with air-gapped backups?

Because both support Object Lock/WORM, backups become immutable during retention. Therefore, ransomware cannot alter or delete them.

• Will this meet India-specific audit needs?

Yes. Set retention to match your sector, keep offsite backup in India, and, more importantly, maintain immutable monthlies and verification logs.

• How often should we test restores?

Run light tests weekly and a full drill at least quarterly. Consequently, you maintain confidence in RTO targets.

• What RPO/RTO should SMEs target?

Typically, RPO is 1–4 hours for Tally and 15–30 minutes for ERP logs, with an RTO of under 3 hours. However, adjust to the workload and risk.