Having a backup plan in place is extremely important, data loss will happen, it can happen due to hardware failure, malware, cybercrime or other looming threats. With a little planning you can ensure you will be able to recover your important data if needed.

What is a Data Backup Plan?

Data backup involves making copies of your data such as files, pictures, passwords and other information and storing it in a secondary location to protect against data loss.

What Happens if You Don’t Backup?

If you don’t have a backup plan in place and your data is lost you have no way to recover it, you can lose years of important information.

How Should a Backup Plan Look?

Your backup should be all inclusive and comprehensive. The backup should include anything that is of importance to you. That data will look different to everyone, but the backup should include all files and documents, passwords, emails, address book and media (photos, videos, etc.)

It should be automated and run on a regular schedule, consider how often your data changes and tailor your plan accordingly. Most would benefit from a daily or weekly backup and when it is automated you don’t have to remember to do it. Manual backups can be time consuming and are prone to human error. Automated backups guarantee you can access the most recent versions of your data, with minimal time and effort.

Keep it Secure

The backup should be secure and easy to access, use the 3–2–1–0 rule of backups. Three copies of the data, on two different kinds of media, with one copy offsite, and it should be fully automated with zero manual steps involved. See my article on 4 Ways to Backup your Data on the types of backup media to choose from. /2024/11/08/4-ways-to-backup-your-data/

Once you have made your backups, store them in a safe location, if you are using external hard drives, swap them out regularly and keep one in a fire-proof and water-proof safe.

Be Clear

Know exactly what data is being backed up, where it is being backed up to and how will you recover that data in the event of a loss. And update your plan as needed, as you add new data be sure that it is included in the backup.

Test It

Once the backup is setup and automated it is important that you test the backup before you need it. Check that the backup includes all of the data you chose to backup and then restore the data to another location to be sure it works properly.