It's not a matter of if you will encounter a problem, but when. It's alarming that nearly 50% of backups fail, especially after 60 years of data backup practices. So why is this still happening?

The culprit often lies in a "set it and forget it" mindset. Many organizations implement backup solutions but fail to regularly monitor and test them. Additionally, the landscape of threats is constantly evolving. The rise of AI has introduced new social engineering techniques and cyber threats, making it more important than ever to stay on high alert!

A Brief History of Backups

Backup practices in Canada emerged in the late 20th century, primarily using magnetic tapes and external drives. As the 2000s rolled in, cloud services gained popularity, helping businesses address hardware failures and disaster-related risks, such as fires. However, backup failures continued to be a significant issue for many companies. Today, the rise of ransomware presents the greatest threat, underscoring the importance of effective backup strategies to prevent catastrophic data loss.

Why Backups Fail

1. Backups are not properly tested: Just having a backup isn’t enough; we need to regularly test it to ensure it’ll actually work when we need it. Does your IT team have the time and resources to effectively restore and test this information?
2. Strong Backup Strategies Matter: A solid backup strategy goes beyond just saving data. It’s about knowing where those backups are, how secure they are, and making sure they’re reliable. With your IT team juggling so many tasks, many fail to make this a priority.
3. Staying Ahead of New Threats: The digital landscape is constantly evolving. Over the past year, many of us have embraced AI technology, which offers numerous benefits for enhancing our daily tasks. However, AI can also be exploited to develop new strategies for cyberattacks. It's crucial that our backup plans evolve to keep pace with these changes. Are we doing enough to address emerging risks and update our strategies accordingly?

Best Practices for Effective Backups

• Adopt the 3-2-1 Rule: Keep three copies of your data, stored on two different types of media, with one copy offsite. This reduces the risk of total data loss.
• Regularly Test Restorations: Treat testing like a fire drill. Regularly restore your data to ensure everything works. For larger organizations, do you have a report on your desk every week showing you that the restoration of your data was a success?
• Monitor Backup Status: Are you getting daily status reports? Confirm that backups were successful and tested for functionality.

Where to Store Your Backups

Storage is important; each method has its own flaws, which is why we recommend using all three:

• Onsite: Secure and fast access, but vulnerable to local disasters.
• Offsite: Protects against local threats, but access can be slower.
• Cloud: Offers scalability and accessibility, but relies on internet access.

Thinking of backups as a “set it and forget it” task can lead to disaster. A reliable backup strategy is essential for your business continuity. Talk to us today and invest in a robust backup solution that can adapt to current threats.

Your data and your business depend on it. Can you afford not to have this protection? Think about it: your financials, supply chain, accounts receivable, client lists, prototypes, and blueprints—all of this data represents money. Can your company afford not to protect it?

Data Protection You Can Trust

At Datanova Cloud Services Inc, we make it our business to safeguard your company's data; it’s our top priority. If you would like to learn more about our backup solutions and how we can assist you in protecting your valuable data, visit https://datanovasoftware.com/en/your-needs/backup-protection/.

Your data is your company's most valuable asset—let us help you keep it safe!