Most companies we talk to understand why it’s important to implement regular, systematic data backup processes. You don’t have to be an IT expert to acknowledge the value of protecting the data your business relies on. Many even acknowledge the common sense of the 3-2-1 Rule of Backup: Have at least three copies of your data; Store the copies on two different media; Keep one backup copy offsite.
But implementing a dependable process remains a big challenge. Time and again, we see the same issue with how companies try to back up their data, and ultimately fail.
The problem? In a word: humans.
You Are The Weakest Link
Many companies figure they can manage daily backup processes on their own. How hard can it be, especially for a smaller organization with relatively simple IT systems? Run a backup of all data each day, keep a version onsite for a quick restoration, and get someone to take another copy offsite on a drive for safe keeping. Simple, right?
But when we come to talk IT with organizations of all size, we regularly find all of the drives just sitting on some desk. Clearly at some point, the process of taking them offsite stopped.
Counting on people to take data offsite sounds good in theory, but in practice, few keep up with the routine.
Ask the person responsible, and they will acknowledge there is a risk of not having a copy offsite in case something should happen at their main offices. But over time, taking that extra step starts to seem like too much effort.
Practice Good Data Backup Hygiene
It’s a bit like flossing. Very few of us floss as much as we should. Every time you see the dental hygienist, you have the same conversation, vowing to floss more regularly—and you mean it. But then, we slip back into old habits, remembering to brush, but not taking the extra step of flossing.
People can only perform repeatable tasks so long, especially if they involve multiple steps. We get distracted and move on to more interesting projects, or those we think have more value.
But your business data does have value, and so does the process of backing it up. In the long run, trusting humans to perform with machine-like consistency leads to a failure-prone system.
Fortunately, automation coupled with cloud storage provides an ideal solution. Putting in place automated data backup processes so the complete backup occurs regularly and dependably to both onsite and secure offsite facilities, ensures you can restore data when you need to most.
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Discover how our cloud-based data backup processes make it simple to protect your critical business information and systems, or get in touch to talk about challenges you face.