Regular back-ups can be a life saver!
Are you running a regular back-up? We suggest Data file back-ups daily and Data & Program files backed up once a week.
Be careful about where you store your data.
- Is it in a safe place?
- Is it offsite (very important in case of fire)?
- What storage media are you using (hard drive, USB, remote back-up service or other)?
- Who of your staff knows where the data are saved in case they need to be recovered?
Make sure you have enough available hard drive space. Running out of space can have disastrous consequences.
Why is an effective backup so important?
Simple recovery
Mistakes can happen, emails can contain viruses and vital files can be accidentally deleted. Having a recent back-up available allows you to recover lost data with minimal disruption.
Audits & Taxes
Businesses are required to keep 7 years’ worth of data for tax purposes. Having a year-end back-up available helps prepare for and comply with potential audits.
Competitive advantage
In the event of a disaster, the first business to get back up-and-running will acquire the business of those that are not back on their feet. If you do not have a recovery plan, your doors may close for good. A study conducted by Osterman Research in 2017 showed 22% of businesses with less than 1000 employees had to stop business immediately following a ransomware attack, with 15% reporting lost revenue.
Work efficiency
The first rule of doing work is “do it right the first time.” But if you suffer a failure and don’t have a back-up, you may not be able to recover certain things because you never know what those “certain things” will be. Worse still, if you suffer a major data loss, you may end up having to redo everything you have ever done; can you remember the detail of all the invoices you processed last year… last month… last week?
If you have any doubt your back-up systems are not as comprehensive and effective as they could be, we recommend consulting an IT professional to audit your procedures and implement a suitable disaster recovery plan.