Data is the lifeblood of any business, but it's especially important for small businesses. Data is how you identify customers to predict and fulfill their needs. It is how you track trends so you can make informed business decisions. Data is where you store customer and employee information. It is the means by which every employee of every position and role fulfills their job.
For these reasons and more it's crucial to have a solid data backup strategy in place.
What is a data backup strategy?
A data backup strategy is a plan to protect your business data from loss or damage. An effective strategy should include a combination of on-site and off-site backups, as well as a plan for testing your backups regularly.
Why is a data backup strategy important?
According to a 2019 survey conducted by Acronis, 42% of businesses experienced a data loss event. A 2022 market report from Backblaze Inc. found that 67% of Americans have accidentally deleted data, while 54% admitted to having lost data, and 53% were victims of a security incident.
These reports show that data loss can result from many sources including hardware or software failures, mishap, or criminal activity, so having a backup strategy can at least minimize the damage and the time it takes to restore operations.
Related reading: Data backup best practices every business should follow
How do you create a data backup strategy?
Here's a step-by-step guide to creating a data backup strategy for your small business:
1. Define your data recovery goals
Start crafting your data backup strategy by asking yourself some critical questions. What data do you need to recover in the event of an emergency? How quickly do you need to be able to access it? Answering these questions and others like them will help you determine the right backup solution for your business.
Some important factors to consider include:
- Recovery point objective: This is the maximum amount of data you can afford to lose without sustaining significant harm.
- Recovery time objective: This is the maximum amount of time your business can operate without access to its data.
2. Determine the types of backups you need
There are three main types of backups:
- Full backups: These copy all of your data.
- Incremental backups: These only copy new or changed data since the last backup.
- Differential backups: These copy all new or changed data since the last full backup.
Full backups are the most comprehensive, but they also take the longest to complete and require the most storage space. Incremental and differential backups are quicker and require less storage, but they rely on full backups to be effective.
3. Choose a backup solution
There are a variety of backup solutions available in the form of hardware products and services, both on-premises and cloud-based. Choose a solution that meets your specific needs and budget. If you're not sure which backup solution to choose, consult with an IT professional.
4. Implement your backup strategy
Once you've chosen a backup solution, it's time to implement your backup strategy. This involves setting up your backup schedule and configuring your backup software. Be sure to test your backups regularly to make sure they're working properly.
5. Monitor and update your backup strategy
As your business grows and changes, your data backup strategy should too. Regularly review your strategy and make updates as needed.
Additional tips for small businesses
Here are some additional tips for you to consider when developing your data backup strategy:
- Include employee-owned devices and connected systems in your backup strategy. Many employees use their own laptops, smartphones, or tablets for work, and nd those devices are often connected to other systems, such as cloud-based storage services. Ensure your backup strategy includes a plan for backing up employee-owned devices and other connected systems.
- Factor in privacy and security when choosing a backup solution and implementing your backup strategy. Your backups are just as vulnerable to attack as your primary data. That's why it's important to encrypt your backups and store them in a secure location.
- Make sure your employees are aware of your data backup strategy and their role in protecting your business data. Train your employees on how to create and manage backups of their work data.
Creating a data backup strategy is an essential part of any business's disaster recovery plan. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can create a strategy that will keep your data safe and accessible, no matter what happens.
Want to learn more about preserving data in case of a data loss event? Contact USWired today.
