It’s Not Worth Having a Backup Solution if it Doesn’t Follow These Fundamental Rules

January 20, 2023

We focus pretty heavily on data backup as an important solution that all businesses should use, and for good reason. It can be all the difference between losing your business’ future or preserving it. We know you don’t like to hear it, but investing in a proper data backup solution is well worth the cost, even if you never have to use it.

The reason? What if something happens?

We know that not all businesses will suffer from the same disasters, but there are some that will always be prevalent—user error, cyberattacks, data breaches, and phishing attacks, just to name a few—no matter the industry or geographical location of your business. How can you make sure they aren’t enough to sink your organization? You can use comprehensive data backup strategies that will keep your business safe no matter the circumstances you face.

Try the 3-2-1 Rule

We adhere to the industry standard called the 3-2-1 rule. This rule governs an effective way to approach redundancy and data continuity. Here are some key takeaways from the rule:

Keep at least three copies of data
With two of those backups copied on separate storage media
And one of those backups stored offsite—we recommend the cloud

As far as how you execute this strategy, we have some recommendations. The idea is to have options available that you can call upon when you need them most. Let’s examine each piece of the 3-2-1 rule and why they are important.

Three Copies

Three copies might seem like a lot, but we promise that it’s worth it all. Having three copies means that if anything were to happen to your business, your chances of recovering from the disaster are essentially tripled, so long as you are backing your data up properly.

Two on Separate Media

If you have two copies of your data on different storage mediums, then you have two copies of your data in the event something goes horrifically wrong. Just think; if both of those were on the same server, you’d be out of luck. COMPANYNAME can equip your business with a BDR device to act as a backup device and server in one, allowing you to cover all scenarios possible.

One Copy Off-Site

If you want a secure place to store your data, then an off-site data center is the way to go. Make sure it is in a different physical location from the rest of your backups and ensure that it is accessible through the cloud.

First Column IT can help your business implement and maintain a data backup system that will keep your business safe in any circumstance. To learn more, call us today at (571) 470-5594.

‍

How to Approach Network Security Like a Pro

Network security is an incredibly nuanced topic with a lot of specifics that must be addressed. Still, today, we want to give you some actionable items that you can use to take an active role in improving network security for your business. Let’s dig into some of the essential dos and don’ts of network security for small businesses.

February 9, 2024

Avoid Sending Sensitive Information Over Email

A single oversight can potentially nullify the effectiveness of your cybersecurity measures. For instance, even if you've implemented security measures like multifactor authentication, a phishing scam or certain malware variants could grant unauthorized access to your email, compromising all the data stored in your inbox.

February 7, 2024

6 Crucial Strategies for Effective File Sharing

Your business runs on its data, and as such, you need a sound strategy for sharing files and other important information to ensure collaboration goes off without a hitch. You must also do all of this while protecting your sensitive data. What are some best practices that SMBs can utilize for file sharing? Let’s go over them.

Welcome to the First Column IT Tech Blog