5 Data Backup Tips
Businesses of all sizes and in all industries are potential targets of cybercrime. One of the simplest and most effective ways to protect your organization is by conducting routine backups of all your business data. Because data loss is just one way cybercriminals can inflict harm, a strong backup strategy is just one component of cybersecurity. A comprehensive cybersecurity strategy is a vital component of any business continuity plan, which safeguards your business against all kinds of disruptions, including power outages, natural disasters, and cyberattacks.
Here are five tips for building a backup strategy to protect your vital business information.
1. Back up all business data.
Your business may collect and store a wide variety of information about operations, clients, products or services, employees, and more. While some pieces of this information are more important and sensitive than others, all of it helps you run your business. You can avoid unnecessary disruptions and time lost recreating documents by ensuring all your data is included in your backup plan.
2. Back up files in multiple locations.
Data can be stored in on-premises servers, in the cloud, or both. For businesses that use on-premises storage, we recommend the data to reside in three locations. Production data is active and stored on the main on-premises server, where it remains readily accessible. Data is also stored on an on-premises backup server for immediate file restoration or failover and at an air gapped offsite cloud server, which safeguards data in case the local site is physically damaged. Businesses that have migrated all their data to cloud solution should also use a separate cloud service for backup to create a redundant offsite copy of their production data.
3. Choose a strategy that fits your business.
How often you should back up your data depends on the nature of your business and how quickly its data is generated and updated. For some operations, twice-daily snapshots may be sufficient, while others may need backups every fifteen minutes. Most fall between these, creating backups every two to three hours.
Consider how much data loss your business can tolerate in case of a cyberattack or other disruption; this is known as your recovery point objective (RPO). It informs your recovery time objective (RTO): how long you can afford for your systems to be down before recovery. Your RPO and RTO will help you determine how frequently you should back up data.
4. Make data backup part of a comprehensive cybersecurity plan.
Keeping your data backed up will help you keep your business running in the face of a variety of challenges, but it’s just part of a much larger strategy. Cybersecurity also involves protections like two-factor authentication, training employees on cybersecurity best practices, and keeping all your systems up to date. Consider working with experts who can provide managed cybersecurity services. This can make it easy to ensure all your bases are covered.
5. Ensure your cybersecurity plan meets the requirements of relevant regulatory agencies.
Particularly in industries like finance and healthcare, businesses have to ensure they remain compliant with cybersecurity regulations. It’s wise to work with an expert who is experienced with cybersecurity compliance in your industry. They can provide solutions and consultation to ensure your business remains compliant, even in the face of unforeseen disruptions.
Ensuring that your data is protected from cyberthreats, disasters, and employee error is crucial for running an efficient business. Pendello provides complete IT solutions for a wide range of businesses, including healthcare, finance, and nonprofit organizations. We can assess your current cybersecurity landscape, identify vulnerabilities, and help you devise a comprehensive plan to protect your business. To learn more about how we can support your organization, check out our blog or our free downloadable resources.
At Pendello Solutions, we turn technology hurdles into powerful assets. Our technology solutions fuel growth, productivity, and efficiency, through continuous innovation and strategic solutions, empowering your business beyond the imaginable. Contact us today to discover the Pendello Method.