How to Build a Backup Strategy for Your Small Business
There’s nothing as painful as working on an important file only to lose it when a computer crashes. But what would happen if this occurred to an entire business? That’s why it’s vital to build a backup strategy for a small business to prevent major losses in the future.
Common Storage Solutions
There are many common storage solutions for backing up business data, each with different properties. Many businesses opt for online storage in the Cloud by hiring an outside company for “space” in their online backup system. Other forms of storage include direct attached storage systems that connect directly to a PC or server; network attached storage which connects directly to a network, or even opting for DVD or Blu-ray discs to backup data.
What to Backup
Any data, information, or intellectual property that is vital to keeping the business running should be regularly backed up. In addition to current projects, this includes financial records, customer records, tax forms, etc. Many experts also recommend this data be encrypted to increase security for your business and prevent data theft or fraud. Once backed up, these files should be regularly updated as well.
How Often to Backup
At the very minimum, backups should happen whenever the backed up data changes. For some businesses, this may be a weekly or monthly routine, but for others, it could be daily. Luckily, many backup systems can automatically update and change new information on a regular basis.
Doubling Up
Most experts recommend that backups be performed twice for all important data. Businesses should make two full copies of every backup, and these copies should be stored on separate physical devices. This way, if something ever happens to one backup, there is another that will be unaffected. In this case, these backups should be routinely rotated to make sure that they are both kept up to date and receive the same amount of attention.
Tripling Up
Businesses can “triple up” by keeping one local copy for primary, day-to-day access, one local backup, and one backup that is stored securely offsite, preventing a loss should something occur onsite. An offsite backup can also make office moves and cabling more efficient since the company can run with the offsite backup during the interim. Ultimately, any hardware can wear down and break over time, so if the backups are kept on external hardware, the hardware itself should be updated and replaced regularly to prevent any data loss.
At KyndL Corporation, we understand the importance of making sure data is safe, secure, and backed up. To find out how we can help you, give us a call at 978-564-1990 or browse our IT services.
