Data backup and recovery are essential for SMEs in all industries. However, this can be a complex and time-consuming area, especially for new enterprises with skeleton crews. And sadly, SMEs often make mistakes that can be costly in more ways than one.
In this post, we’ll explore these common mistakes and share expert tips for reliable data backup and recovery.
What is Data Backup?
Data backup is, quite simply, backing up data: storing copies of files in a safe place to make sure you can recover them if anything were to happen to the originals.
Backing up data is crucial to reduce the risk of downtime in the aftermath of a disaster (e.g. your office burns to the ground) and to make sure that you can get back to work as soon as possible. On a smaller scale, data backup also means you don’t need to recreate a file from scratch if it’s accidentally deleted from your system.
What Mistakes Do SMEs Make with Data Backup and Recovery?
Data backup and recovery can be difficult to get right for SMEs with small teams and limited technological capabilities. Unfortunately, that means they can make mistakes that waste time, incur high expenses, and affect reputations.
Here are four common data backup and recovery mistakes:
Assuming You Will Never Need It
While it’s natural to hope that your SME never experiences a disaster that destroys your data storage, assuming that will be the case for years to come is risky.
Floods, thefts, cyber-attacks, and other incidents can leave you without access to key data, with little to no warning. Taking precautions to back data up can help you avoid that.
Storing Backups Locally in One Place
Keeping files backed up on a single computer or server, within your SME, can be dangerous. Any physical damage to that hardware could wipe out your original files and backups at the same time. Switching to cloud storage as well is a much safer option.
Losing Track of Data
If your SME takes a disorganized approach to data backup, you might struggle to recover certain files because you have no idea where they’re stored. Even if you do find them, recovery may be a more time-consuming process than it should be.
Not Knowing When to Ask for Help
Arranging and managing data backup and recovery takes time. And time is often in short supply when you have an SME to oversee.
Working with a professional IT services team can make data backup and recovery faster, easier, and more convenient. If you don’t know where to start, or managing your data backup is a responsibility you could do without, always be willing to consult experts.
Data Recovery Tips
Let’s look at five expert tips for effective, efficient, and reliable data recovery.
Create a Clear Data Recovery Plan
Does your team know what to do in the event of a disaster or accidental deletion?
Let’s say a fire destroys your office and all your hardware. However, your entire workforce is ready to get straight back to work using their home computers.
Fortunately, your key files are all backed up in the cloud, but does your team know how to recover them? Who’s responsible for data recovery? Who has the access details they need?
Document your backup and recovery plan in detail, so that if you ever need to recover files, there’s an established process to follow.
Back Data Up Regularly
It’s crucial that you back data up on a regular basis. Otherwise, you may find that you only have a handful of files in an emergency.
Determine which file types are most important and back them up whenever they’re edited or new ones are created. That may be every night or at the end of each week. However, lower-priority files may be backed up just once per month if they can easily be recreated.
Implement a clear schedule for data backup and stick to it. If you need to recover files, you’ll know when they were last updated and how recent their contents will be.
Make Sure Your Data Backups Stay Secure
Effective security is critical for any SME. Just as you need to protect your hardware with secure locks, CCTV, and security systems, you should safeguard your files with the latest encryption.
If you use cloud storage provided by a reputable company, they will utilize cutting-edge security to protect your data. But you may also want to encrypt your files before you back them up for extra peace of mind.
Try the 3-2-1 Approach
The 3-2-1 strategy is common among SMEs, as it guarantees that more than one copy of a file is backed up. Here’s how it works:
3 — Make sure that you have three copies of a file: the original and two backups.
2 — Take advantage of two storage methods. For example, if you store data on a hard drive in your office, you should also back it up to a cloud storage service too.
1 — Always keep a copy of files off-site for disaster recovery. That means you know you can access essential data after an incident and ensure business continuity.
Embracing the 3-2-1 strategy will reassure you and your team that you have taken intelligent steps to protect data. Ensure that certain people, such as department heads, know where files are kept to facilitate swift recovery.
Work with Data Backup and Recovery Experts
Working with data backup and recovery specialists will make the entire process simpler for your SME. You can leave it to the experts and focus on core tasks, knowing that your data will be backed up properly.
NETWORTH has partnered with Datto, a backup software leader, to provide SMEs with reliable data backup and recovery services. We can help you:
● Stay safe from ransomware attacks by allowing you to restore your data quickly.
● Recover from disasters with minimal downtime.
● Comply with the latest industry regulations.
● And more…
To learn more about how our tailored data backup and recovery services can benefit your SME, contact NETWORTH today.