Best Backup Strategies | Team Burkhart

Understanding Data Backup

Data backup refers to copying and archiving essential data to another storage device or location. A robust data backup strategy is critical for companies and individuals to protect themselves from data loss due to hardware failure, natural disasters, human errors, cyberattacks, or other unforeseen events.

Permanent data loss can occur without dependable backups, leading to major consequences. Companies may suffer extended downtime, loss of intellectual property, compliance violations, and reputational damage. For individuals, losing personal files can mean losing precious memories and irreplaceable information.

Consequences of Failing to Backup Data Properly

The consequences of not having a proper data backup plan include:

Prolonged downtime: Business operations may be halted for days or weeks without quick recovery options.
Lost revenue and productivity: Downtime directly prevents companies from operating and generating revenue.
Permanent data loss: Files and information that are not backed up could be lost forever in the event of an incident.
Reputational harm: Data losses, especially those involving customer data, can severely damage an organization’s reputation.
Fines for noncompliance: Some industries have data backup and recovery regulations to uphold.

Top 5 Strategies for Backing Up Your Data

A multi-layered backup approach is vital. Here are five of the most essential data backup strategies:

3-2-1 Backup Strategy

The 3-2-1 rule is a best practice backup model for creating resiliency. It involves maintaining at least three copies of your data stored on two different media types, with one copy stored offsite. This covers multiple documents, multiple media types, and offsite storage in case of location-specific damage.

Cloud Backup

Backing up data to the cloud involves sending copies over the internet to remote cloud servers operated by a backup provider. This offers scalability to suit data storage needs, accessibility from many locations and devices, and advanced security features like encryption.

Local Backup

Local backups involve storing copies of data on-premises on external hard drives, NAS devices, tape drives, or other media. Benefits include faster backup and restore capabilities as well as complete control over hardware and software.

Offsite Backup

Offsite backup means physically transporting copies of data to a secure facility away from the primary office or data center, such as a commercial vault storage provider or another corporate office location. This adds critical protection if a disaster strikes the primary site. Offsite rotation should occur regularly.

Virtual Machine Backup

Backing up entire virtual machines (VMs) creates redundancy for vital systems by capturing machine images, settings, software configurations, and data. Benefits include quick, complete recovery of critical systems and protection for dynamic environments.

Ready to experience the benefits of backup strategies? See how Team Burkhart’s managed backup services can keep your data safer.

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How to Choose the Best Data Backup Strategy

Selecting the best backup strategy for your organization means carefully evaluating several factors. The most important considerations include the size and types of data you need to protect, compatibility with current IT infrastructure, and budget.

Size and Type of Data

First, take stock of the volume and types of data your business generates. The more data you have, the more robust your backup solution needs to be in terms of storage capacity and transfer speeds.

Additionally, prioritize backing up mission-critical data like customer information, financial records, intellectual property, and healthcare data. Less business-essential data like employee emails may need a different level of backup.

Understanding your data landscape will help you narrow down the best backup strategies.

Compatibility With Current Systems

Evaluate how well the best backup strategies integrate with your current IT infrastructure. Look for solutions that seamlessly interact with your operating systems, databases, virtual machines, and applications.

Compatibility ensures backups run smoothly while minimizing disruption to operations. It also provides visibility into backup statuses across all systems from a central interface. Consult with technology vendors to assess integration capabilities when considering backup options.

Budget

Finally, choose the best backup strategy that balances protection requirements with budget. More advanced solutions like cloud-based backups offer enhanced security and recovery capabilities, but at increased costs.

Alternatively, local hard drive or tape drive backups can safeguard data at lower prices for smaller data sets. Take the time to determine the value of your data when developing your budget. This will help justify the investment in adequate data protection.

Encryption

Backup encryption safeguards your data from unauthorized access during storage and transit. Encryption transforms readable data into a coded form only decipherable with a password or key.

Choose backup solutions that offer high-grade encryption, like 256-bit AES, to prevent external parties from accessing your backups even if they locate the files. This provides an essential layer of security as part of an in-depth strategy.

Regularly Testing Backup Systems

Schedule recurring tests to verify your backups are capturing all necessary data and can successfully restore systems in the event of data loss. Testing may involve:

Restoring sample data sets
Conducting practice recovery drills
Checking backup logs for errors
Confirming sufficient storage capacity

Make adjustments promptly if there are any gaps to keep protection aligned with evolving data environments.

Physical Security of Backup Data

If you’re maintaining local backup files, implement physical controls by storing media like external hard drives in access-controlled rooms or locked cabinets.

Limit access to properly vetted personnel through ID badges, multi-factor authentication, or biometric validation to reduce the risk of data theft. Carefully tracking media initializes the chain of custody for extra data security.

Team Burkhart Has the Best Backup Strategies for Your Data

Tired of worrying about your data security? Turn to the experts at Team Burkhart. We offer a variety of security services, including backups, Microsoft 365, Apple Solutions, and co-managed programs. Why wait for your data to fall into the wrong hands? Protect your business by contacting Team Burkhart for a consultation today.