Data Back-Up Rules to Ensure You Never Lose Your Files

So much data is stored electronically these days. While this storage method is so much more practical, efficient, and space-saving than keeping physical copies of everything, it is not always the most secure.

This is due to malfunctions, hackers, and user error. When you are storing important files that you absolutely cannot lose there are a few rules that you should follow to give you the best chances of recovering your files without a problem. Failure to adhere to this guide, or another similar one, leaves your information extremely vulnerable to being lost.

Fortunately, even if you have none of these methods in place now, they can all be implemented in a relatively short amount of time, even on a small budget. Read on to learn how to keep yourself and your information safe and secure at all times.

3-2-1 Rule 

This rule is a simple, highly effective way to ensure your data is never lost. It is a three-part rule that is just as simple as its name suggests. Following all three steps can greatly reduce the chances of unexpectedly losing your data.

Keep three copies of your data

Many people tend to just keep one backup copy, but if the equipment is similar there is a high chance that if one piece of equipment fails then the other could as well. Keeping a third copy greatly reduces the risk of running into this situation from a statistical standpoint.Another way to reduce your risk of losing data is to make sure that your computers are always in the best condition possible. It is also ill-advised to repair your own computer unless that is a skill you feel confident in because poor attempts at repairs often result in you breaking the device, therefore losing data. Otherwise, it is best to seek professional repair help from somewhere like https://computer-fixperts.com/. Faulty computers cause many data loss headaches each and every year. Make sure your computer is in tip-top shape to ensure you do not experience one of them.

Keep those copies on at least two different kinds of media

These media types include but are not limited to internal hard drives, USBs, CDs, SD cards, or even floppy disks if you still own a device that can read them. This ensures that if your internal hard drive as a whole crashes that not all your copies were on it. It also ensures that if you lose your USB that the files are still on your internal hard drive. A good and easy way to store one of your copies, if it’s a fairly small document, image or file, is to email it to yourself. This works especially well for work or school documents – you can work on it from school, home, the library or where ever you can access the internet. Just make sure to email the updated version each time you work on it.

Finally, keep one backup copy offsite

This means keeping it in a completely different location from the others. This is so that if you have some sort of breach or break-in at your office or home the intruder cannot possibly have the ability tosteal or damage all the copies of your data. For instance, keep a USB in your locker at college with your file on it, separate from your computer at home. If one is lost or stolen, the other is always there. For extra protection, keep a print-out of important documents.

Many parts of this rule may seem like a simple no-brainer, but you would be surprised at how many people don’t back up in any way. We all know someone whose computer died and took their important projects with it. Even if you think you have all these safety measures in place it may be a good idea to double check now instead of being out of luck when a situation arises in the future.

While all facets of this rule can easily be applied without outside professional assistance, many self-employed peopleor big businesses choose to hire a data backup company to provide them with extra peace of mind. There are several popular options people can turn to provide them with this service including Carbonite and Veeam among others.

Summary

Whether you choose to hire a company or do it all on your own, the most important thing to keep in mind is to be diligent. Laziness when it comes to data storage will only result in much more work and headaches in the future. Think about these things now so that the future will be smooth sailing.