Most times, backing up data of small businesses isn’t given precedence because their owners are inundated with hundreds of other operational tasks on a daily basis. The sad part is that most of these small business owners fail to realize is that not having an adequate data backup and recovery system might cause their business’s downfall. That’s the reason why it’s so crucial that every company has at least one effective and efficient data backup method in place.

How Do You Define a ‘Good’ Data Backup System?

The one thing that makes a data backup system good is that it must be automated, meaning that it’s not another item on someone’s to-do list. Maintaining the backup system can’t be forgotten, as a backup loses all its meaning if it is not up-to-date. One of the most vital aspects of an effective data backup is the level of security it provides. According to experts, all data must be secured with the two-factor authentication method or with an encrypted password to protect all the critical data stored within the system. The data backup should also be stored in a location that is different than where the primary data is stored and preferably on another network. If you store back-ups in the same location as the primary source, it will be subject to the same dangers of device failure or ransomware, leaving you without both sources of data and defeating the purpose of having a backup system. Your backup data and backup process should be audited routinely, where you should walk through the entire process of backup and recovery, understand how it works, and how long it will take for your business to get back up and running. If you don’t know how you’re going to do a complete data restoration when disaster strikes, your backup plan is useless and incomplete. The good news is that there are various ways of backing up data, ranging from cloud-based solutions to software. To understand what system works best for your organization, you must understand the benefits of each system and areas where they may fall short.

Ø  Software Backups

Alternatively, data can be backed up via the various software backup solutions available in the market that can be used. These software solutions aren’t cheaper than other options but are going to require you to install the software on a virtual machine, which is just like the electronic version of a computer system.

Ø  Hardware Backups

Hardware backups are always an option when you’re considering backup solutions for your organization. Hardware, like hard drives, can connect to your network easily and make the backup process straightforward and simple. However, trusting the hardware all by itself is running the risk of losing everything if the device fails. That’s the reason most people tend to use a combination of hardware and software solutions for backups.

Ø  Cloud-Based Backups

The most common method used today for backing up data is by using cloud-based services, as these cloud-based solutions are not only easy to use but affordable as well. If you select a cloud-based service, you should ensure that you select the small business support option. Don’t try to save money here and choose the consumer-based product because you will be glad that you chose the small business support, especially when you need support and can get in touch with a human and not an automated system.

Ø  Hybrid Backups

Another great option for data backups is a mixture of hardware and cloud services, as this option, along with other hybrid methods, works well with your hard drive to schedule automated backups of the data that is stored on the drive. That data will be encrypted as will be backed up to keep the data secure. Users will then have the option to restore the backed-up data whenever they want if their primary data storage method is lost or compromised.

The Importance of Having a Data Recovery Plan in Place

In the event that a reactionary measure becomes your default method of ‘backing up,’ you should turn to professional data recovery. These companies can help you recover data from all kinds of data loss scenarios. Whether it is a ransomware attack or a lack of backup, they can help you. It’s a good chance that disaster isn’t going to strike you the next day after you’ve implemented your data backup process, so how are you going to remember all this information? A data-related disaster is not likely to occur months or even years down the road, and that’s why it is necessary that you have an actionable, detailed internal document that lays out the entire recovery process from start to finish, including any passwords, usernames, or account numbers. A crucial element of this document is to have a list of vendors that you can call when you need professional data recovery help in the event of a data disaster. That will help you from scrambling around when you’re in the middle of a crisis. That’s where a data recovery company that is fully equipped to help in case of a complete data loss or plan failure is going to be vital for you.

Contact Us

Percento is a Professional IT Consulting, Implementation and Management firm.  To find out how we can help your organization, please contact one of our friendly sales representatives for a review of your system and a comprehensive (No Obligation) proposal of services. Call today toll-free at 800.614-7886 [Austin | Dallas | Houston | League City | Sugar Land | The Woodlands  | San Antonio] or email us at sales@percentotech.com.