Business owners juggle several priorities when running a business. Between marketing, sales, IT, and operations, it can be tough to give all these the same level of focus and attention. But one thing that businesses should never neglect is data backups.
Many business managers mistakenly believe that backups are not important, and they quickly learn the hard way that this is not the case. In this blog post, we will discuss five reasons why backups are critical to business success.
What is data backup?
Data backup is the process of making copies of data so that they can be used to restore the original files in case of a data loss event. There are many ways to back up data, but one of the most common methods is by using an on-site backup server, which keeps copies of data on separate hardware in the same physical location as the primary servers.
Off-site backup is another popular method for backing up data. With off-site backup, data is stored on a remote server that is in a different physical location than the primary servers. The advantage of having an off-site backup is that it helps protect against disasters such as fires or floods that could destroy the primary and on-site backup servers.
Keep in mind, however, that the most holistic data backup strategy includes a combination of on-site and off-site backups.
Why is data backup vital to businesses?
By making backups a priority, business owners can prevent data loss and avoid massive headaches along the way. Here’s how prioritizing data backups benefits businesses of every size.
1. It protects against data loss and downtime
Data loss can occur for a variety of reasons, including hardware failure, software corruption, user error, and malicious attacks. By having a backup plan in place, you can help ensure that your business’s data is protected in case of any of these eventualities.
Moreover, even if your primary servers are down, having backups can guarantee that your business’s data remains available and accessible.
2. It helps in disaster preparedness
In the event of a disaster, your business must see to it that your people and processes are secured. So apart from guaranteeing the safety of your staff when disaster strikes, you also need to ensure business continuity. This can only be done if you have a full and recent backup of your data. Without a backup, you risk losing all of your important data, which could severely impact your business.
3. It makes compliance easier
If you’re required to comply with certain industry regulations, then you need to make sure that your backup and disaster recovery plan meets all of the regulatory requirements. Otherwise, you could face hefty fines or even lose your business license. For instance, if you’re required to comply with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act or the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, then your data must be properly protected according to the specifications of those regulations.
4. It gives you peace of mind
Running a business can be taxing, but knowing that you have a plan in place if your data becomes compromised can give you and your employees peace of mind. With up-to-date backups, business continuity is one less thing you have to worry about. This also gives you more time and energy to focus on tasks that drive business growth.
5. It saves money in the long run
Lastly, in case of a disaster, the data recovery process will considerably cost less if you have a solid backup strategy. In some cases, having backups could even save your business. For instance, if your company succumbs to a ransomware attack that holds your data hostage, then you may be forced to pay an exorbitant ransom in exchange for your data. But if you have a full and recent backup, you can simply restore all of your data from the backup and resume operations without having to pay the ransom.
Don’t wait until it’s too late. Prioritize your backups NOW! If you’re not sure where to start in creating a backup strategy, our team of IT experts at Online Computers can help. We’ll work with you to customize a plan that meets your specific needs. Contact us today to get started.