Backups

In information technology, a backup, or the process of backing up, refers to the copying and archiving of computer data so it may be used to restore the original after a data loss event. 

The verb form is to back up in two words, whereas the noun is backup (Wikipedia).

Backup Strategies

• Regular, remote, and redundant backup processes are critical

  • Industry standard is 3-2-1 (3 copies of your data stored in 2 off-site locations, backed up a minimum of 1 time per day)

• Encrypted data backup process 

• Disaster recovery, business continuity, and virtualization plans

  • Technology inventories, license keys, and vendor contact lists should be accessible, and your recovery plan should be tested and outlined in case emergency strikes

• Software and hardware capable of withstanding any scenario? 

  • Recovery from earthquakes, floods, fires, and hurricanes

• Trusted advisor to manage the process

3-2-1 Backup Strategy

• 3 copies of your data: 

  • 1 copy on your local C drive

  • 1 copy on an external device such as an external hard drive

  • 1 off-site

• 2 - types of media (preferably offsite).  If your home or office experienced flooding or fire, you've already got an up-to-date copy of your data elsewhere. 

  • 1 copy of your data on locally accessible - hard drives, thumb drive

  • 1 copy off-site, on the cloud or other media storage

• 1 - once a day backup 

Google Safety Center

• https://www.google.com/safetycenter

Articles

• How To Keep Your Business Safe from Data Breaches

• Best ways to back up your computer

• Build your own cloud - hard drives get a second life

• Backing up: one last look at saving digital records

• Storing personal digital history

Tools

• CrashPlan - online data backup, offsite - onsite - cloud

Articles

• How to Create a Data Loss Prevention Policy That Works

• Get your stuff back: Five useful data recovery apps

• 5 statistics and 5 strategies to consider on world backup day 2015