Let’s talk about open-source software, especially free (or community) versions like Bareos. Open-source software gives you a lot of flexibility and freedom – like they say, “Free as in free speech, not free beer.” But when you’re running a business, especially one dealing with sensitive data, just having freedom isn’t enough to protect you from data breaches, regulatory fines, or other compliance issues. Backup compliance is essential.
Why is that important?
When your company handles personal data – say through online services or financial systems – you have to follow data protection laws like PCI DSS, GDPR, or PIPEDA. These rules exist to keep customer data safe and to prove that you take security seriously.
Using a free, unsupported backup version of Bareos might sound fine at first. But it won’t be enough if you need to meet compliance standards.
For example, PCI DSS Requirement 6.2 says that critical updates must be installed within a month after release. That’s hard to keep up with if your system doesn’t get regular updates.
GDPR Article 32 also mentions encryption and access control as key parts of keeping personal data safe. It requires that companies review their setups regularly to make sure protection stays effective. With the supported version of Bareos, you don’t have to worry about that. You get updates, expert guidance, and tools that help you stay compliant and protected against known risks.
What about public companies?
Public companies have even more to handle. Standards like SOX and NIS2 demand tight control over financial data and secure backup processes. If something goes wrong – say a system crash or cyberattack – a reliable backup makes sure you can recover fast and keep operations running.
Without proper backups, data loss can lead to bad reporting, failed audits, and long downtimes. That’s where the supported Bareos version helps most: it includes timely updates and direct support, so your backups stay reliable and compliant. It also saves time during audits and gives your team peace of mind.
Why choose the supported version?
Switching to the supported version simply makes life easier: You know someone’s got your back when things go wrong – and you can focus on business, not backup problems.
In short, Supported Bareos, together with our consulting services, helps your company meet the rules under PCI DSS, GDPR, SOX and NIS2. It keeps your backups secure, reduces risks, and lets you spend less time worrying about compliance.
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