With vast amounts of important information on our computers and servers, backing up data is a necessity. Not only is it critical for businesses to back up data, but people should also back up the files on their personal computers. Loss of data can cause detrimental damage—logistically, organizationally, and financially—to companies and individuals.
A variety of incidents, such as system crashes, natural disasters, cyber-crime, can cause data loss. By consistently and regularly backing up your data, you can ensure that if your critical information is lost unexpectedly, you will quickly be able to recover it without monumental cost or stress.
Experts recommend that you back up data in at least three ways using at least two different forms of backup and keep at least one backup at an offsite location
Types of Data Backup
Let’s take a moment to explore the kinds of data backup to help you decide what options will work best for you and your budget.
USB Flash Drive
USB flash drives work well for backing up data on personal use computers. They are small, inexpensive, and easy to use.
USB flash drives have a few disadvantages, though:
- They require you to update your data manually.
- They can be lost, broken, or stolen easily.
If you use a USB drive for data backup, make sure to encrypt or password-protect the data you store on it.
External Hard Drive
External hard drives are like the internal drive of your computer, but they are a separate device. They function similar to how USB flash drives do, but they can hold more data and can be set up to back up data automatically. External drives offer an affordable way to back up large amounts of folders and files.
Some potential drawbacks of external hard drives include:
- There’s a risk of overheating.
- Some tend to break easily.
- It’s not easy to verify image backups.
- They’re susceptible to theft and fire, water, smoke damage.
You can connect an external hard drive using a USB cable or configure into your network. An external drive product, like ioSafe, that’s waterproof, fireproof, and crush resistant (and that you can secure to the floor or another stable object to prevent it from being stolen) brings added peace of mind.
Cloud Storage
Cloud storage, a very popular and cost-effective data backup option, enables you to back up your data to an online server. It doesn’t require any additional devices, it makes it easy to access your data, and storage space is scalable based on your needs.
Some potential downsides of cloud storage:
- Some products require an internet connection to access your data.
- You might open your data to vulnerability if you don’t pay proper attention to share settings and user access.
Examples of cloud storage include:
- iCloud
- OneDrive
- SharePoint
- Dropbox
- Google Drive
Cloud Backup Services
Cloud backup service providers, such as Carbonite and IDrive, manage and organize data in a way tailored to users’ needs. Businesses primarily use these services. Cloud backup offers the advantages of affordability, remote access, encryption, and minimal maintenance.
Disadvantages of cloud backup services include:
- It may take some time to recover data in the event of a loss.
- It requires internet connectivity.
- It’s not easy to verify the backup of images.
Cloud/Appliance Continuity
Cloud/appliance continuity involves using a combination of hardware and cloud services to back up data. Data gets backed up on an appliance and then syncs that data to the cloud, providing two points of protection. Backups can be done as frequently as you want on the device (which is usually on-site). Then backup to the cloud typically happens later, such as after business hours.
In the event of a hardware failure on your server, the appliance can act as a stand-in until you get a replacement server up and running. If a natural disaster happens that debilitates your server and appliance, the data backed up in the cloud can keep you up and running until you have a new server. Unlike other data backup methods, the cloud/appliance option has automatic checks in place to ensure the integrity of backups. With the most uptime, low risk of data loss, and automatic verification of data from systems like SQL, DNS, DHCP, and others, the cloud/appliance solution offers some clear advantages.
The downside to this solution is the cost. Individuals and businesses may not have the budget to support this data backup method.
How to Choose the Best Type of Data Backup
When deciding which backup option is best for you or your business, consider the following things:
1. Number of copies and forms of backup
Businesses especially should have three copies of data in at least two different forms and location. If you already are backing up to a local device, you should have two more forms of backup and one that is off-site or cloud-based.
2. Amount of storage needed
The amount of storage you need to store your data will affect the type of device and how much cloud storage you will need to purchase. Consider not only the data you’re currently using, but also factor in how future growth will impact the amount of data you’ll need to back up.
3. Budget
Protecting your data will cost you something. Fortunately, you’ll find plenty of affordable options. Carefully evaluate pricing as you explore available backup services and devices to determine which will fit your budget.
4. Laws and Regulations
Keep in mind, your backup needs may be dictated by the industry you are in and applicable laws or regulations related to data management.
Do Right by Your Data
Putting good data backup practices and operations into place now, can save you from losing time and money—and possibly your business—in the future. If you aren’t sure how to get started or want to ensure you are backing up data correctly, contact Laser Lab, for guidance at info@laser-lab.com or 717-738-3333. Our IT experts are here to answer your questions and help you make sure your data backup plan is on point.