May 16, 2025
There are very few things worse in our digital era than turning on your device and facing loading errors. Seeing a disk failure usually means lost data, which is especially damaging for businesses.
That’s why data backups are essential for all, and here’s how to do it using a 3-2-1 backup rule.
No device is everlasting, and sooner or later will stop working. If you haven’t backed up your data, it could be lost forever. Furthermore, data recovery from a damaged or dead drive is a costly procedure with no guarantees.
Another good reason to back up data ASAP is ransomware. This sly cybercrime method has been rising for several years and poses huge risks. Ransomware targets data on business servers and encrypts it, denying access and often halting operations. A backup would immediately restore data to the latest version, and here’s how to do it.
Like most cybersecurity solutions, there is more than one way of doing things. However, we’ll focus on one widely accepted method, the 3-2-1 rule. Here’s what it states:
3. Create one main backup and two additional copies;
2. Keep your backups in two different storage types;
1. One storage should be offsite.
What does this achieve? Firstly, backups can also fail. It doesn’t matter if it’s a USB drive or a cloud server – it can break down. Having two additional copies ensures that your backup is ready no matter what. Even if the main backup becomes inaccessible, you have two more to go.
Two different types of media guarantee data access. For example, you have a backup on an external drive, but there is no way of connecting it to your device due to technical failures. If you keep another copy in an online cloud, you can get data from there. Remember that businesses usually require a backup immediately, so having one, all things considered, is best.
Lastly, offsite backup takes care of physical disasters and virus infections. Offsite refers to both a physical location and virtual connections. In other words, it should be out of your office and disconnected from the office network. Having one copy in a remote location prevents damage in case of a flood or fire. Simultaneously, no network connections guarantee data safety in case of ransomware that is designed to spread throughout all connected devices, encrypting them.
The cloud computing market is expanding and is expected to reach two trillion US dollars by 2030. Among its numerous benefits, secure cloud servers are an excellent fit for business data backup.
Make sure to choose a provider with a flawless reputation security-wise. Trustworthy cloud storage services invest heavily in cybersecurity, as exposing business data could have dire consequences. Instead of building your expensive server structure, you can trust a third provider with the task. Furthermore, these services often have backup policies, so even if there’s a failure, the data remains intact.
A cloud backup is also accessible whenever you have an Internet connection. It’s especially handy if you travel frequently and need to update your device with the latest business data.
Lastly, fully-equipped cloud services encrypt data flow to and from the server. This ensures information safety if your business needs to migrate from one platform to another.
Backing up data is just as important as it is easy. Most network administrators will effortlessly implement the 3-2-1 rule. And if you decide to use cloud services, you will save money on costly servers and better streamline data-related operations.
The 3-2-1 backup rule is a straightforward yet effective strategy for protecting your data. It recommends keeping three copies of your data, using two different storage formats, and ensuring one of those copies is stored offsite, away from your primary location.
Data backups are vital for business continuity. Hardware can fail unexpectedly, leading to permanent data loss. Furthermore, backups are a primary defence against cyberattacks like ransomware, which can lock you out of your own files. Having a recent backup allows you to restore your systems quickly and avoid significant disruption.
An offsite backup is a copy of your data that is kept in a completely separate physical location. This is a safeguard against localised disasters such as a fire, flood, or theft at your main office. It also means the backup should be disconnected from your main network to protect it from viruses that can spread across connected devices.
Absolutely. Cloud storage is an excellent solution for an offsite backup. It provides easy access to your data from any location with an internet connection. Reputable cloud providers invest heavily in security and encryption, offering a secure and often more cost-effective alternative to managing your own physical servers.
Using two different storage types, for example, an external hard drive and a cloud service, adds another layer of protection. If one type of media fails or becomes inaccessible, you still have another option to recover your data from. This diversity reduces the risk of a single point of failure preventing data restoration.
