The 3-2-1 rule overcome, or how to back up your data in 2023

Are you sure you're backing up?

First, make sure that you really are backing up. Many companies confuse archiving and backing up data. Archiving is storing data that you are no longer actively working on. These are closed projects that will not be added to, they are finished as is and you want to make sure they don't go anywhere.

While data backup refers to data that you are still working with and modifying on a daily basis. You need to back up every change so that the project can continue successfully even if there is, for example, an unexpected technical failure. Backing up gives you the assurance that hours of your work won't go anywhere moments before the commit.

3-2-1 backup

It is considered one of the most effective ways to prevent data loss. It is recommended by cybersecurity experts, even by the US government. What does it involve?

"3-2-1" is not a countdown of the last seconds before the magical snap of your fingers and locking your data in the vault of eternity. It's a system that distributes backups smartly to ensure that at least one copy of your data always remains available.

It means that you have to make 3 copies of the data, split them into 2 media (for example, two external drives) and place 1 of them in another location. This ensures that you will always have at least one undamaged set of data. By splitting the data backup into media, you prevent technical failure of one of them and by placing it in another location, you avoid data loss due to fire, flood, building collapse or theft or other unforeseen event.

You'd have to be the world's biggest loser to lose all these data backups at the same time. That's why this method is so highly recommended.

→ Tip: Want a comprehensive overview of security? Read about cybersecurity from A to Z.

 
So what could have overcome it?

Backing up using this method can be lengthy and technically complex. Especially if you don't just want to archive your data, but actually actively back it up. So imagine that all your files are constantly being backed up. And not just in one copy, but in multiple ones, on multiple media, in multiple locations, without you having to worry about it.

You can probably guess where we're going. We're talking about the cloud, of course. With the massive growth of cloud services, cybersecurity and data backup methods have also changed. Now you no longer have to have dedicated staff to take care of data backup technically and someone to constantly remind employees to perform it.

The cloud provider's data centre is perfectly secured - both physically and in terms of cyber security. On your own, you would probably never achieve such a level (to make economic sense). The provider backs up data every day and across multiple locations (in our case, there are three), so you can be sure you won't lose it. Plus, you don't have to worry about ITC infrastructure and maintenance.

 
Combination of cloud backup and 3-2-1 model

If you're particularly diligent, you can choose a combined method where you have 3 copies of your data on 2 local storage locations in your business and the cloud is your "1", external source of data backup (which is also backed up repeatedly).

 
Back up to a domestic data centre

Back up your data at home, not somewhere on the other side of the world. This ensures that you have data in relative physical proximity and avoids the complex geopolitical changes that can put your data at risk. You'll also be able to communicate very easily in your native language in the event that you need to deal with an urgent situation. Take a look at what we offer and feel free to contact us with any questions.