Use the 3-2-1 Backup Method to Protect Your Data

Backup, Backup and Recovery, Backup Strategies, Data Backup, Data Storage, Ophtek, , , , ,
28
Jan 2020

Hardware can easily become compromised, stolen or damaged. And this can leave you without crucial data. But the 3-2-1 backup method is here to help.

Data disasters are most often caused by hardware failure, human error or cyber-attacks. Regardless of the cause, your organization needs a good backup strategy in place. You need to be able to retrieve your data in the event of an emergency. Without a backup strategy you will struggle to recover and this will have a major impact on your productivity. And that’s why the 3-2-1 backup method has proved to be so popular with businesses.

Data protection has never been more important that today, so we’re going to take a look at how the 3-2-1 backup method can protect your data.

What is the 3-2-1 Backup Method?

The principle behind the 3-2-1 backup method lies in its name:

Let’s take a closer look at each part of the method to help you understand the thinking behind it:

  • Keeping at Least 3 Copies of Your Data: To keep just one backup copy of your data is careless. Say, for example, your data is compromised by ransomware. An option would be to retrieve your backup data from an external hard drive. But what if you discover this device has been damaged in some way? You need an alternative solution. And this could be accessing a USB drive or connecting to a cloud storage solution. The minimum number of copies you should keep is three, but there’s no maximum. You can keep three, five or fifty. 
  • Keeping 2 of these Copies on Local Devices: Onsite backups are essential for keeping your productivity in place. Data disasters are unpredictable and can have an instant impact. Therefore, you need to make sure that you have your backup data close to hand. This approach will allow you to quickly implement any compromised data and establish normal working practices. Again, it’s important to have more than one local backup available to safeguard against any technical issues. 
  • Keeping at Least 1 Copy Offsite: If you want to reap the benefits of a complete backup strategy you need to keep one copy offsite. Advances in cloud computing mean that it’s easier than ever to store data offsite. And this can pay dividends in the case of a local disaster. If, for example, you are hit by a hurricane or a flood, all your local backups could be damaged. It doesn’t matter if you’ve got three or three hundred. But if you keep at least one copy in the cloud you are ensuring comprehensive data protection is in place. 

Final Thoughts 

A good backup strategy is vital in protecting your data in the event of a data disaster. And it pays to be comprehensive in the manner in which you protect your data. The 3-2-1 backup method is the perfect way in which to achieve this.

For more ways to secure and optimize your business technology, contact your local IT professionals.

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What are Your Options for Data Storage?

Cloud Storage, External Hard Drives, NAS, Network Attached Storage, Ophtek, Optical Drives, USB Flash Drives, , , , , ,
09
Apr 2019

We’re living in an age of big data and, as a result, having adequate storage space is a major concern in business. So, what are your storage options?

The days of floppy disks, with their limited 1.44mb storage capability, are well and truly over thanks to a revolution in storage methods. Not only are there more options, but the rapid advance of technology has ensured that we can store even more data in even smaller spaces. However, this wide range of options means that understanding each and every one can be a little bewildering.

Thankfully, we’re here to provide you with a quick education on your options, so let’s get started:

  • Optical Drives: While optical drives such as CDs/DVDs/BluRays may feel a little old fashioned, they still represent a fantastic storage option. Low cost and immune from being remotely hacked, optical drives provide a suitable storage option when it comes to archiving data such as Microsoft Office documents and media files including sound, picture and video.
  • USB Flash Drives: Again, USB drives are relatively traditional storage options, but what marks them out is their accessibility. Perfect for employees who are regularly on the move, the small measurements of a USB flash mean that it can easily be attached to a key ring or simply stored in a pocket. However, their small size is highly deceptive as flash drives are now capable of storing a huge 512GB of data.
  • External Hard Drives: Available in both desktop and portable versions, external hard drives are very similar in design to those found within desktop PCs and laptops. While not as easy to store in your pocket as a USB flash drive, external hard drives come equipped with some serious real estate in terms of storage space. The newest models on the market can hold up to 16TB of data and should never be underestimated in terms of storage space.
  • Network Attached Storage (NAS): Connected directly to networks, an NAS allows your organization to connect several storage drives all at the same time. This allows you to benefit from two major benefits: speed and size. In terms of speed, your data is available to your network almost instantly and makes it perfect for initiating restores. And, when it comes to size, the combination of several devices allows NAS to hold massive amounts of data.
  • Cloud Storage: The newest innovation in data storage, cloud networks offer up a whole new world of possibilities for data storage. Available through third party providers, cloud networks are virtual storage spaces that your organization can hook up to. Significant investment is currently going into cloud computing and this means that crucial factors such as speed and size are almost unparalleled when it comes to storing data in the cloud.

As you can see, there are several major options for you to consider when it comes to data storage. And the beauty of data storage is that you don’t have to stick with just one method. You can mix and match several different methods to provide quick and safe storage options.

For more ways to secure and optimize your business technology, contact your local IT professionals.

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The Best Data Storage Options for Your Organization

Cloud, Data Storage, Direct Attached, Network Attached, Offline Storage, Online Storage, , , , ,
24
Apr 2018

 

Data is getting increasingly bigger and, while this allows us to analyze data more effectively, it’s also putting a major strain on our storage.

And that’s why so many organizations are looking to improve their storage options. After all, data is crucial for your organization to operate and remain competitive e.g. storing customer details and monitoring their purchasing history etc. Naturally, data storage has become a huge industry, so the options available for storing data have multiplied significantly.

Understanding which option is best for you, however, isn’t always straightforward. Therefore, to help you get started, we’re going to take a look at the best data storage options for your organization.

  1. Network Attached Storage

Network attached storage (NAS) allows large amounts of data to be stored in a central point which can be easily shared across an entire network. The most common form of NAS is an external hard drive which comes complete with Ethernet ports or built in WiFi. These devices can easily be integrated into your network and, with capacities now exceeding 4TB, can store huge amounts of data.

  1. Cloud Storage

Cloud storage is the new kid on the block when it comes to data storage and is being readily adopted by organizations. With cloud networks managed by third parties and all hardware being kept in central hub offsite, cloud storage allows your organization to save physical space while providing quick access to your data. An added bonus of cloud storage is that it provides amazing accessibility when it comes to accessing your data. Not only can your in-house staff access data immediately, but remote workers can log on to the cloud network from anywhere with an internet connection.

Accessibility is vital when it comes to sharing data, so many online services have sprung up which allow you to store and share data securely. Services such as Google Drive, Dropbox and Microsoft Drive grant you a set amount of space online to upload data and provide sharing links to colleagues and clients. While the initial (and free) storage space is limited, it provides a useful option for storing small sets of data online which take the strain off your internal storage capacities.

  1. Direct Attached Storage

Direct Attached Storage (DAS) devices are, as their name suggests, a form of storage which attaches directly to a computer. The most well-known forms of DAS are external hard drives and thumb drives. Capable of holding large amounts of data, DAS devices provide a useful storage option for new businesses that are looking to minimize storage costs, but not run out of space for their data.

  1. Offline Storage

Data is certainly getting bigger, but one of the oldest forms of data storage still has a place in modern business. Offline storage has been around for decades and involves using optical discs such as CDs and Blu-Rays to archive important data. And, although the data is not immediately available as it is with more modern storage options, offline storage is incredibly secure while also being available in the case of a network failure.

For more ways to secure and optimize your business technology, contact your local IT professionals.

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