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Top Tips for Backing Up Your Business’s Data

Backing up data is one of the most important steps you can take to protect your business. Losing data also means a loss of time and money — and it could cost you, your customers or even your business. In fact, some experts have estimated that as many as 70% of companies who suffer a major data loss go out of business.


Data loss has many different causes; it can be the result of a natural disaster, a security breach or mechanical failure. It can be malicious and intentional or completely accidental. Regardless of how it occurs, the results are the same, so business owners of all sizes need to make sure they are protected from such losses.


Knowing that data backup is important is one thing; putting it into practice is another. Here’s a look at five best practices to make sure your data is always secure.


No. 1: Adopt the 3-2-1 Strategy


The 3-2-1 backup strategy is increasingly popular for businesses and organizations; even the U.S. government endorses this approach. In the 3-2-1 plan, you will have

  • 3 copies of your data in different locations. (These copies will be the primary data source, as well as two backups.)

  • 2 different types of devices for storing the data

  • 1 copy stored offsite, away from your company

This is an effective practice for increasing data protection and ensuring that you are protecting all your sensitive business information.


No. 2: Practice Continuous Backup


If your data is constantly changing, then continuous backup is something to consider. Continuous backup ensures that your data is protected every time you save changes to that data.


Continuous backup takes snapshots of each version of the data and stores all that information, allowing you to restore it to a specific version if needed. This form of backup ensures that every change made to your data is recorded and protected.


Another option is to use near-continuous data backups. This is when your data is backed up at specific times that you choose, such as every hour.


Both of these forms of backups will make sure that your data loss is minimal in the event of a crash.


No. 3: Consider Using an NAS System


A Network Attached Storage system, or NAS, is a good solution for small- to medium-size businesses in particular. These systems, which live on your network, provide storage for everyone on the network. And the NAS can back up data either from software on the computer or its own software. This is a good way to keep all computers backed up and synced up whenever they are connected to the network.


No. 4: Try Hybrid Cloud Data Backup Solutions


The more the need for data backup, the more solutions there are. Hybrid cloud has become an increasingly popular option, partly because of its mix of on-site storage and unlimited offsite storage capacity in the cloud.


The hybrid cloud backup complements whatever existing backup and recovery infrastructure is in place but moves the data offsite. One of the advantages of the hybrid cloud is that the data can be accessed from any location, which means the data will be easily accessible if disaster recovery is needed.


Hybrid cloud solutions can also be appealing to companies that have a limited amount of physical space to allow for the growth of a backup system — or who just want to minimize the physical maintenance required by the system. It’s an effective way to simplify your data backup solution and lower on-site costs while maintaining a high level of security and protection.


Unlike physical storage, with cloud storage you only pay for the amount of storage you need or use. However, look at the per-gigabyte costs associated with recovering your data before you make a final decision.


No. 5: Put It to the Test


Having a great backup plan is essential for securing your data; making sure it works properly is even more important. Make sure that you test your data backup system on a regular basis to ensure it all works.


Replicate a disaster scenario as thoroughly as possible and try recovering the data from different locations to make sure that, in the event of an actual disaster recovery event, you’ll be able to access your data quickly and easily.


Knowing that your data is securely backed up brings peace of mind to both you and your customers. To learn more about what data backup options there are and how you can best secure your sensitive information, contact our experts today at 1-855-AVENTIS.


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