Everything is digital in this day and age. Documents, photos, money, data. It is all kept digitally. This is why it is so important to keep a good back up.

A backup is basically a copy of your data. The copy can be used in the event of loss or destruction of the original. Backups can be stored on various devices, such as hard drives and in the cloud. Backups will save your data from being lost forever. Whether it be because your computer crashed, you deleted files accidentally or even that you got hacked, having a secure backup can save you.

You should backup your data regularly. Some people do it every day, while others tend to do it on a weekly basis. This is something for you to decide and it depends on how often your data changes and updates. If you have important information and files that change daily then we would recommend backing up every day. This means should something happen; you will have the most recent version of your files.

There are many different types of backups, and it depends on you and your business which is best for you. Here are a few different types of backups.

Full Backup – This copies all of your data; it takes more time and space but is very thorough

Incremental Backup – This only copies new or changed files since the last backup. This saves time and space

Differential Backup – This copies all changes made since the last full backup. It is faster than a dull backup but takes more space than an incremental one.

Furthermore, you can store your backups in different locations. This is an important consideration to take into account.

External hard drives – These are physical devices that you can store yourself but whilst convenient they can get lost or damaged.

Cloud Storage – This keeps your backups online and away from any physical damage. It is also easily accessible at any time from almost anywhere.

Offsite Storage – This means keeping your backup in a different              place than your main data. This protects your backup from theft or even natural disasters!

Here are some ways to keep your backups safe and secure;

Encryption – Encrypting your data means scrambling it up so only a person with the key can read it. This keeps it safe from hackers!

Strong Passwords – Using strong passwords for your backup accounts prevents unauthorized access. Only those who know the password will be able to access your data.

Test – You should regularly test your backups to ensure that they are working properly. One good way to do this is to try and restore a file.

Don’t wait until it is too late to protect your data! We would strongly recommend backing up your data and to follow these best practices. Having a backup can be a lifesaver if anything happens to your main data. It can prevent a lot of stress, worry and downtime. If you need any help or further advice, get in touch today.