World Backup Day: Backups Are Critical for SMBs

Whether it’s a hard drive failure, a cyberattack, or just plain bad luck, losing data is a constant risk. Businesses and individuals alike suffer from data loss every day, and unfortunately, technology doesn’t always come with a safety net. Without a backup, you’re cooked if something bad happens. Today is World Backup Day! Let’s tell you why it is important to set up a reliable backup for your business.

Ransomware and Hackers Target Businesses

Hackers are getting smarter, and cybercriminals are always looking for ways to exploit unprotected systems. One of their favorite tricks? Ransomware. They lock you out of your own files and demand a hefty ransom to get them back. But if you’ve backed up your data, you can just laugh in their faces, restore your files, and move on with your day. Of course, you’ll want to establish how you got ransomware in the first place to prevent it in the future, but at least it didn’t cripple your business.

Accidents Happen

Ever hit delete and immediately regret it? Or maybe a co-worker saved over an important file? Human error is one of the biggest causes of data loss. Having a backup means you can easily retrieve what was lost instead of spending hours (or days) trying to recreate it.

Natural Disasters Don’t Care About Your Files

Fires, floods, tornadoes, blizzards… man, Mother Nature can be brutal. If your data is only stored on one device or in one location, a natural disaster could wipe out everything in an instant. Cloud backups ensure that your information is safe, no matter what’s happening outside your window.

How to Back Up Like a Pro

Backing up your data isn’t rocket science, but you do need a strategy. Here’s what you should do:

• Use the 3-2-1 rule - Keep three copies of your data: two on different types of storage (like an external hard drive and a local server) and one in the cloud.
• Automate it - Set up automatic backups so you don’t have to remember to do it manually.
• Test frequently - A backup is only good if it actually works. Check your backups regularly to make sure you can restore your files when needed.

Don’t Wait Until It’s Too Late

Think of data backup like insurance; you hope you never need it, but you’ll be glad you have it when disaster strikes. So, do yourself and your business a favor and back up your data today. Happy World Backup Day! If you would like to talk about our reliable BDR solution, give us a call today at (240) 226-7055.