Why do you need an online data backup plan?

Whether it is accidental or deliberate, data loss is a problem that’s far more serious than it can first seem. Data is the heart and soul of enterprises, and must be protected at any cost. Having proper processes in place to guard stored data against routine risks is a crucial matter for businesses. However, even if you have proper data backup mechanisms, you can’t be sure that your data will be easily recovered in a crisis unless you have a definitive backup and recovery plan in place.

Day-to-day data loss risks

One of the major pain points in data storage is accidental data loss. There can be a number of causes behind it, risks that are always lurking and that you have little control over. The day-to-day risks can be:

  • File corruption
  • Accidental file deletion
  • System failures
  • Human errors
  • Natural disasters
  • Hacks

These incidents are not trivial and can have a huge impact on daily business operations. These risks can occur at any unexpected moment, and if your data has not been backed up either offsite or online, you can be in great trouble. It’s important to consider different kinds of backup mediums for better safety and security of data.

Taking measures to lower the risk of serious data disasters

While critical incidents that result in major data loss might not be a daily affair, they only need to happen once to cause a massive disaster. Things like server failure or a malicious attack on your data can happen at any time. Hardware failure is almost inevitable at some stage as well. You might have an issue with an employee, who corrupts data on purpose, and natural disasters are yet another risk. Are these reasons not enough for having a data backup plan?

Your business risk tolerance

What’s the risk tolerance of your business? Have you ever felt the need to identify it? If not, it is time to do so. Once you’ve determined what your risk tolerance level is, you can then create an acceptable risk assessment. This then informs the kinds of technology you need to use for data backup and protection. If you have proper backup and recovery plans in place, it will be easier to recover data in crisis situations.

Make data recovery a knowable event

Vital data should be backed up multiple times, to multiple devices in multiple locations. This can help keep critical data secure, and automatically backed up according to requirements. It can ensure that any data loss becomes a “knowable” event in terms of how backed up data can be accessed, and the time it will take to restore.

Figuring out what specific data needs to be backed up, and how much cost and time it would take, informs your plan. Any privacy and legal requirements need to be kept in mind as well. Businesses in some domains have specific data retention and encryption requirements that need to be adhered to, and this will of course have to be taken into account in the plan.

When you have a clear-cut plan for backing up your data, then you have methodology and best practices to follow.

Earn more confident customers

A secure data backup plan can also be an additional selling point for your business. An online backup solution adds value for your customers. It reduces the risk that they’ll be seriously affected in the event of a data loss, because your critical operations can be restored quickly. This can attract customers to your business, as they are more confident about your service.

Having the right data backup solution in place for your business is essential. When you have a distinct plan to backup your business data, it can positively impact on your business and customers, and ultimately your bottom line!