Hard drives can fail, ransomware can strike, employees can accidentally delete files. The question is not whether but when data loss occurs. With the 3-2-1 strategy you are prepared.
What is the 3-2-1 rule?
The rule is easy to remember: keep at least 3 copies of your data, stored on 2 different media types, of which 1 copy off-site. This principle protects against almost every data-loss scenario.
Why a single backup is not enough
Imagine you back up your data to an external hard drive that sits next to your PC. In a break-in, fire or water damage, original and backup are equally affected. A single backup in the same place only protects against the simplest case: accidental deletion.
The three copies explained
Copy 1, the original: your active working data on the PC, server or in the application.
Copy 2, local backup: a backup on a NAS, an external hard drive or a local backup server. This backup enables quick restoration for everyday problems.
Copy 3, off-site backup: a copy in a physically separate location, for example in a data centre, with a cloud provider or in another building. This copy protects against disasters.
Automation is a must
Manual backups get forgotten. Set up automated backups that run without your involvement. Good backup software checks the integrity of the backups and notifies you of errors. Plan daily incremental and weekly full backups.
Test backups: the forgotten step
A backup that cannot be restored is worthless. Test the restore regularly, at least once a quarter. Document the process so that in an emergency everyone knows what to do.
Conclusion
The 3-2-1 strategy is proven, easy to implement and protects against most data-loss scenarios. solutioIT helps you set up a tailor-made backup solution, from planning to regular review. Customers now also ask for proof of data backup, more on this in NIS2: what suppliers need to know now. Ongoing checks and restore tests are part of IT maintenance at a fixed price.