“Data really powers everything that we do.” – Jeff Weiner
Therefore, it should be protected. Unfortunately, studies indicate that many companies either don’t have a back-up solution in place or don’t back up their files regularly. What’s more, some companies discover that they can’t restore their lost files due to corruption or an undetected malfunction in their backup solution. It can then take days or even weeks to restore the data, if at all.
Thankfully, there are ways to ensure the reliability of your backup solution so you avoid the pain of having to deal with permanent data loss. Here are some tips on how to back up your files properly so you can restore your data should the need arise.
What Should you Back Up?
Most business owners know that it’s important to back up files located on company servers. However, not everyone realizes that it’s also important to have back-ups of any data stored on the cloud. Accidents, syncing problems, cyberattacks, server crashes, and even deletion due to inactivity can result in cloud-stored data becoming unavailable or even permanently lost
How Should Data be Backed Up?
Ideally, you should have 3 copies of any file that you consider important. This is a best practice typically known as the 3-2-1 rule[1]Krogh, Peter. The DAM Book: Digital Asset Management for Photographers, 2nd Edition, p. 207. O’Reilly Media, 2009.[2]https://us-cert.cisa.gov/sites/default/files/publications/data_backup_options.pdf, or a hybrid backup.
3 – Keep 3 copies of any important file: 1 primary and 2 backups.
2 – Keep the files on 2 different media types to protect against different types of hazards.
1 – Store 1 copy offsite (outside of your business facility).
Modern backup solutions offer a lot of flexibility in implementing this type of backup, able to store data securely using network-attached storage (NAS), disk drives, tapes, and cloud storage as backup media.
It’s important to familiarize yourself with regulations pertaining to your specific industry before you create a back-up plan. In some cases, you may be required to store back-ups on an office server instead of online, or retain copies for a certain period of time.
When Should Data be Backed Up?
There is no “one size fits all” answer to this question. It depends on the amount of data, your business environment, and how often your data is updated. It may take time to set up a plan to regularly back up your information but it’s far more efficient than trying to recoup your lost data after a ransomware attack, fire, flood, or some other catastrophic loss.
Testing your Backups
You also need to regularly test your data backup solution to ensure that it’s working properly. Hardware or software failure could cause your files to be unrecoverable, or prevent the backup tasks from running. Periodically recovering files from the backup to make sure they are usable, and monitoring the backup jobs for success ensures you will have data to restore when needed.
Who will Manage your Backup Solution?
As you can see, there is more to implementing a successful data back-up solution than occasionally copying your files to the cloud or an external hard drive. Ramsey Consulting Services offers the comprehensive, professional assistance you need to create the backup solution that best suits your company’s needs. Furthermore, we handle the work of regularly backing up your files, testing your back-up solution, and periodically updating your disaster recovery and business continuity plans to ensure you have an effective strategy if the need arises. Contact us today to learn how we can help you create a scalable, reliable backup solution that will meet your company’s current and future needs.
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