According to a report by Verizon, the smallest amount of data loss can cost a business as much as $35,000.
Data loss also means losing customers, declining sales, and creating a whole operation to retrieve data which is time-consuming.
To avoid this, you must invest in a reliable data backup plan. But which is the most trustworthy option? We investigate.
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How Does Data Loss Happen?
Before finding the best data backup software for you, it’s important to highlight the ways you can lose data:
- A desktop, laptop or mobile device’s hardware crashes
- Your computer or phone is stolen
- Your laptop’s hard drive is hijacked by malware
- Online storage accounts are hacked
- A ransomware attack makes your files inaccessible
These reasons should encourage you to find a data backup plan. If not, you must rebuild your software, pay for higher insurance premiums, and suffer a potential drop in your credit rating.
Even though these are not large expenses, they could add up and, in the worst-case scenario, lead to your business’s downfall.
What Needs to Be Backed Up?
Every file you’ve created or edited must be regularly backed up. This can include everything from spreadsheets to accounting files.
Different Types of Data Backup
These are the most popular data backup programs to consider:
The Cloud
Online data backups mean protecting your data is easy, inexpensive, and safe. Even if you don’t want to handle the cloud yourself, there’s an array of third-party providers capable of doing this for you.
Before you go with a cloud server, consider:
Longevity
You must find out whether the cloud-based backup service is reliable. How long have they been in business?
Choose one that has provided data backup services for at least two decades, so you know they have the expertise to ensure data security.
Versatility
The most effective cloud-based backup service providers must be versatile with their technology. This is so you know their technology is compatible with whichever hardware systems you and your customers use.
Security
The cloud-based backup service must have multiple levels of security.
High-level encryption, firewall protection is crucial alongside company policies regarding those who can access your data like IT workers.
Dispersion
When browsing cloud servers, make sure they have multiple data centers scattered across the country.
This is crucial because a natural disaster could hit one location, putting your data at risk. Finding a cloud server with multiple locations also ensures hardware failures prevent widespread data loss.
Tape Storage
If you have large amounts of data to protect, consider tape backups. A major advantage is how they’re reliable as they can still be read decades after storage.
Also, you can remove them and store offsite, so your data is safe from hardware failures, theft, corruption, or any natural disasters.
External Hard Drives
Compared to tape drive storage, external hard drives are an inexpensive way to back up your data. These come in a variety of shapes and storage capacity, from terabytes to megabytes, depending on your needs.
They’re also easy to use. Simply plug the hard drive into your computer’s USB port, and you’re set. But if you choose this method, find an external hard drive with backup software.
Also, be wary, as external hard drives can crash or break easily so ensure the model is durable or invest in multiple to guarantee your data’s safe.
Local Area Network (LAN) Storage
You can use LAN storage to backup files to another computer or server. But it’s important your LAN storage safely stored away in a locked cage or cabinet to prevent the risk of theft.
USB or Flash Drives
These are plug-and-play portable storage that uses non-volatile memory to protect data. A major plus is how it’s simple to store, retrieve, and manage files. Further, its portability is useful especially if your business has multiple locations.
But ensure you use antivirus software to scan the USB drive before opening any files. If not, your USB drive could pass viruses through every computer it’s plugged into.
SD Cards
SD cards are small storage devices so you can back up documents, pictures, or video files. They’re compact and portable so you can access your data anywhere.
It’s essential to be careful with them as SD cards can break easily, which means you may lose data stored on it.
Optical Storage
Optic discs like CDs, DVDs, and Blu-Ray are popular storage devices. You can use them for backing up your data as they are portable and cost-effective.
It’s important to keep optic discs safe from scratches or damage, as the data may be destroyed. They also require special software so you can access the stored information. So, before investing in CDs, double-check your laptop or desktop supports the format.
Network Drive or NAS Drive
Network drives have high capacity storage and link to a network that connects to multiple devices. You can easily share files with others and access them from these other devices, perfect for small businesses and homeowners.
Those Are the Best Reliable Data Backup Options
Reliable data backup is crucial for businesses. If your data gets wiped, it’ll cost you thousands and could be near impossible to replace your data.
Luckily, there are many data backup options available. From getting extra hard drives to signing up for a reliable cloud service, it all depends on your business’s data protection needs. Happy hunting!
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