Data Backup & Recovery

Ideally data backups are done daily and there are methods to automate this process. However, your business may or may not need daily backups. Examine the volume of data you generate, how often it changes, and how critical it is to your business operations. Think about how your organization would be impacted should there be a data loss. For most businesses, a daily backup is recommended. However, for environments with high transaction volumes, a more frequent, even continuous, backup may be necessary.

Cloud data backup services use encryption and other security measures to protect data. Data is encrypted both in transit and at rest, ensuring that it remains secure from unauthorized access. Reputable cloud backup providers also comply with various regulatory standards and offer additional security features like multi-factor authentication and continuous monitoring. Cloud security is also very reliant on correct configuration, so engaging an expert is a good idea to help navigate the complexities for your business, ensuring your data remains safe.

There are several types of backup solutions, including full backups, incremental backups, and differential backups. Full backups copy all data, while incremental backups only record changes since the last backup, and differential backups capture changes since the last full backup. Many companies opt for cloud backups and/or local/on-premises backups. Every business is unique in what makes the most sense strategically and operationally as it is tied to your security needs and access requirements. Your IT department or IT provider can help to pick the right solution for your business needs.

Data backup and recovery go hand-in-hand to minimize downtime and ensure business can continue as usual in the event of data loss hardware failures, cybersecurity events, or natural disasters. Data backup entails copying or archiving files and folders to restore them in case of data loss. Recovery kicks into gear in the case of data loss. Recovery strategies and plans should be the first step in a comprehensive program, so you are always prepared. It’s a proactive step that every business should have in place.

When choosing a backup and recovery service provider, there are several critical capabilities to look at including the IT provider’s reputation and experience across different types and sizes of business, the security measures they implement, their adherence to industry standards like SOC2, the scalability of their services, and the expertise in cloud or on-prem solutions. In addition, seeking out IT service providers that have strategic expertise to help you plan for disaster recovery and the knowledge and capabilities to implement full solutions is essential.