How to Improve Your Backups

How does your organization leverage data backup? Depending on the way your organization functions and your particular needs, your data backup solution will vary from others in your industry. Still, one thing is absolutely undeniable: your business can’t afford to not utilize some type of data backup system.

Here are four strategies to contemplate when designing and implementing a data backup system.

Be Aware of What Data You’re Backing Up
The largest question to ask yourself is how much of your data you’re going to back up. Obviously, the answer should always be “as much as possible.” Still, any legal obligations you have for specific compliance regulations must be prioritized; if left unchecked they could cost your organization even more in lost revenue. Your organization may also be subject to fines and other expenses.

Entrench Adequate Security Practices
One of the most threatening backup security practices is to keep them stored on an in-house infrastructure that’s susceptible to being compromised by external threats. If a hacker can penetrate your network, it’s likely that they can also infiltrate any unprotected data backups that you have. While it’s helpful to have an on-site backup that can be utilized in the heat of the moment, it’s more secure to keep your backups stored in an off-site data center that is encrypted and protected properly.

1-2-3 Data Backup Rule
One of the most important parts of data backup is where you’re storing your backups. While it’s convenient to store them on-site, you risk harm to them. We recommend that you follow the 1-2-3 data backup rule. You keep three copies of your data in total: one on-site for easy access, and two off-site, either in a secure off-site data center or in the cloud. Don't forget that the best failsafe for your business’ data infrastructure is to have copies of it somewhere where they can reliably be restored.

Test the Dependability of Your Systems
Speaking of dependability, your backup systems are futile if they don’t work as intended. The last thing you want is to experience a data loss incident and then fail to restore your data when it’s needed most. You should test your organizations' backups often so that you can be confident that they work as intended. If you don't test them, you’re flirting with disaster, at the mercy of luck and hope.

Macro Systems can provide you with a Backup and Disaster Recovery (BDR) solution designed to take frequent backups and store them in safe and secure off-site environment for rapid recovery. To find out how you can take advantage of this great solution, give us a call at 703-359-9211.