Backup is a decidedly unsexy topic to discuss, but it’s important nonetheless. You can’t trust that your files will always be there—not unless you take action to ensure they’re well-protected and preserved for when you need them most. While you’re busy with other parts of running your business, you need to know with certainty that your files are safe, and we can offer that.

We’re Not Exaggerating

If your data is sitting around on a hard drive that hasn’t been replaced in who knows how long, know that you’re putting information like client lists, financial records, and marketing campaigns at risk—all because it’s digital.

Countless businesses lose data critical to their continued success when their systems fail. In some worst-case scenarios, they can go bankrupt, creating serious problems for the business owner and their employees alike. It’s not just from external threats like hackers and ransomware, either; it can come from simple user error, like deleting the wrong files or misconfiguring settings.

It seems silly to let something so simple put your business at risk—and it can all be prevented with a sound data backup strategy.

Implement the 3-2-1 Rule

When we discuss data backup, we like to recommend the 3-2-1 rule:

• THREE copies of your data. Redundancy is your best friend.
• TWO different types of media. It’s good to use a local device and the cloud.
• ONE copy off-site. If your office gets destroyed, you'll have a safe copy chilling somewhere else.

An easy way to think about it is like the keys to your house. You don’t have just one of them, and you don’t keep each copy in the same place. You might give a key to your folks in town, and you might keep one in a broken flowerpot on your porch. Same idea, just a different application.

Routinely Test Your Backup Solution

Backup shouldn’t be a set-it-and-forget-it strategy for your business. You’ll want to take steps to ensure it works when you need it most.

• Automate what you can: The big benefit of modern backup solutions is that they can be automated so they are no longer subject to user error.
• Encrypt it: Even if hackers do get their hands on your data, you’ll want to make it useless to them with encryption. 
• Test it: A backup is only useful if it works. Test your systems to make sure they work so you’re not surprised when they don’t work.

Let Us Help

Like most things related to IT, data backup is most effective when you think about it before you need it. This proactive stance is at the heart of everything we do at First Column IT. If you want to actively prevent issues from escalating into more serious problems, give First Column IT a call at (571) 470-5594 today.

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