This post was originally published on August 12, 2016 and has been revised for clarity and comprehensiveness.
A lot of people continue running their businesses, not realizing how vital it is to have their systems and data available all the time. In this article, learn all about data backup and why your business should have one.
Data Backup and Recovery Solutions are Critical for All Businesses
Imagine working on your computer in the office when the lights suddenly go out, and the computer shuts down. Once the initial shock subsides, you suddenly feel intense anxiety. You ask yourself: "Did I just lose all my hard work?" When the power is restored, you realize that your worst fears have come true: you've lost critical data and weeks' worth of labor in the blink of an eye.
It has happened to everyone at some point. Unfortunately, many organizations take that to mean that data loss is just a normal part of doing business. It's not, and it shouldn't be. Data backups exist because losing data is a worst-case scenario in today's digital world. If your business still doesn't have data backup and recovery solutions in place, then you should seriously consider getting one as soon as possible.
Intelligent Technical Solutions (ITS) is an IT support company helping businesses manage their data reliably and securely for over two decades. Based on our experience, many business owners are still trying to determine whether a backup solution is worth the investment. In this article, we'll address that and help you understand why it's critical for your organization, regardless of size or industry. We'll dive into the following:
- What is data backup and recovery?
- Why data backup and recovery is crucial for all businesses
- Common ways you can lose your data
What is Data Backup and Recovery?
Both data backup and recovery are integral components of a robust data management strategy aimed at preserving and restoring information in the event of data loss, corruption, or system failure.
Data backup involves creating duplicate copies of files, databases, or entire systems to ensure that a copy can be retrieved if the original data is lost, damaged, or compromised. Backups can be stored on separate physical or cloud-based storage devices. They can be full backups, where all data is copied, or incremental/differential backups, which only copy changes made since the last backup. That helps mitigate the risk of losing critical information due to hardware failure, human error, cyberattacks, or natural disasters.
Data recovery, on the other hand, refers to restoring and accessing the backed-up data when needed. When data loss occurs, whether due to accidental deletion, hardware malfunction, or other issues, the recovery process involves retrieving the data from the backup and restoring it to its original state. Recovery methods can vary based on the backup strategy, ranging from simply copying files back to their original location to complex procedures involving specialized software or services to rebuild entire systems or databases.
Effective corporate data backup and recovery plans are essential for organizations to safeguard their information assets, ensure business continuity, comply with data protection regulations, and minimize disruptions caused by unexpected data loss or system failures.
Why Data Backup and Recovery is Crucial for All Businesses
Your data is one of your most valuable assets. If you're just learning that now, don't worry; you're not alone. According to the US Chamber of Commerce, 58% of small businesses are unprepared for data loss, and 60% of those that lose their data shut down within six months.
So, how often should you back up data to prevent that outcome? Unfortunately, there’s no one answer to that question because it depends entirely on how critical the data being stored is. But, as a general rule of thumb, critical data might warrant daily or more frequent backups, while less essential data that doesn't change frequently can be backed up less often, such as weekly or monthly.
Ultimately, you should establish a backup schedule based on a thorough assessment of your data, the potential impact of data loss, regulatory requirements, and the resources available for backups. Regular reviews and adjustments to backup strategies are also crucial as your needs and data volume requirements evolve.
It is essential to have some form of protection in case of any power outage or system failure. A fail-safe method would be data backup and recovery. Data backup refers to having copies of existing data safely stored so that a data recovery process can restore them in case of any fatal event. Data backups restore a computer to its operational state after an accident.
Here are some reasons why backup solutions are a must for every business:
1. Peace of mind
There are already so many things that require your attention when you're running a business. There will always be emergencies and fires to put out to ensure your organization is running smoothly. Having a backup and recovery solution means you will have one less thing to worry about. It gives you peace of mind that if a disaster like a data loss incident hits, your business will be back up and running in no time.
2. Protect Customer Data
What's worse than losing all your data? The answer is losing your customers' data, which can impact the trust between you and your clients or customers. Also, depending on your industry, you could face hefty fines and penalties or, worse, a lawsuit.
3. Fast Recovery
Backup and recovery systems can help ensure that critical systems can be recovered during the worst disasters. This means you can get your business back on track faster.
3 Common Ways You Can Lose Your Data
There are a lot of ways your organization could lose data. Check out the most common causes below:
1. Cybercrime
Hackers have multiple ways to get access to your company's information. They could use email phishing, social engineering, brute force, or even an entirely novel method we're unaware of. Whatever method bad actors use, know that they can get their hands on your data, and once they do, they could either steal it from you or encrypt it and hold it for ransom.
2. Human errors
No one wants to hear this next one, but human error is the most common cause of data loss. A person could accidentally delete a program or file, misplace an important external drive, or make an error while managing a database. These may sound like simple blunders, but make no mistake - they can be very costly.
Let's cite one of my favorite examples to give you a better idea. In 1998, a Pixar staffer accidentally ran a "remove all" command on their database. The slip-up deleted 90% of Toy Story 2, a film that cost over $90 million to make and grossed over $511 million. The only reason the company survived was because of pure luck. Turns out, one of their employees was working from home and had stored some of the files on their personal computers.
3. Hardware Failures
Hardware failures happen all the time, and they could all lead to data loss. Whether caused by natural disasters like fire or flood, power outages, or system crashes, data loss incidents could happen when you least expect them. That's why it's better to be prepared rather than be sorry when it comes to data loss. Investing in a reliable backup and recovery solution will help ensure you can get your data back when you need it most.
Ready to Find a Backup and Recovery Solution for Your Business?
If you have not thought about enterprise data backup and recovery, it's time you made the decision to have your files protected. It's a sound investment for the future of your business. It can give you peace of mind, keep you from losing your customers' trust, and help you recover faster from massive data loss incidents.
At ITS, we believe every business should have a reliable backup and recovery solution. Based on our experience, massive data loss incidents can happen to anyone at any time. Having the right solution can help your organization survive and get back on track. Find out how we can help by scheduling a free consultation with one of our experts.
Or, you can learn more about backup and recovery by checking out some of our resources below:
- What Are the Risks of Not Backing Up Data?
- Data Backup Best Practices for Businesses
- [EBOOK] 7 Rules Even the Most Basic Backup and Disaster Recovery Plan Must Follow
- What Your Data Backup and Recovery Plan Looks Like with ITS
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