5 Reasons Backups Fail & 5 Best Practices For Successful Backups
Why 60% Of Data Backups Fail Businesses When They Need Them Most
?
From natural disasters and cyber-attacks to accidental deletion, there are many reasons a business needs to back up its data. However, Avast’s latest findings on disaster recovery highlight an alarming issue for small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs): 60% of data backups are not fully successful, and half of the attempts to recover data from these backups don’t work. This leads to businesses being offline for an average of 79 minutes, costing them roughly $84,650 for every hour of downtime.
Still, not all backups are created equal. It’s important you’re aware of backup best practices so you’re confident your backup solution will work when you need it most.
Why Backups Are Failing
There are a few common reasons backups are incomplete or a restoration fails:
Backup products are unreliable: When it comes to backups, you get what you pay for. Free or cheap solutions may not offer the robust features of more expensive products. This can result in backups that are not as secure or reliable.
Backup times are not optimal. If backups are scheduled during high-traffic periods or when data is being heavily modified, there’s a risk that not all data will be captured.
Compatibility issues. As your business evolves, so do your systems and software. However, new systems may not always be fully compatible with existing backup solutions. This can lead to situations where data is not properly saved or, even if it is, cannot be restored correctly because the formats or systems are no longer aligned.
Human error. Mistakes such as incorrectly configuring backup parameters, accidentally deleting crucial files or ignoring backup schedules and alerts can lead to backup failures.?
?
Cyber-attacks and other disasters are a constant threat. If your backup fails and you get hacked, you might lose data permanently. Additionally, health care and finance organizations have strict compliance regulations around data handling, and failed backups can result in fines, legal challenges and a damaged reputation.
Best Practices For Successful Data Backup And Restoration
Reliable data backups and successful restoration are your lifeline in times of crisis. From choosing the right backup solution to regular testing and daily monitoring, these best practices protect your data from surprise disruptions, ensuring your business doesn’t miss a beat, no matter what comes your way.
1. Pick a solid backup solution.
Don’t just go for the big names in backup software; some might not deliver what they promise. Digging deep and finding a solution that suits your needs is essential. For example, immutable backups are a must-have for anyone needing to meet strict compliance rules, as they can’t be changed or deleted, even by a ransomware attack. Talk with your IT provider about the backup technologies they’re using for you, how quickly you can expect to recover data, what kind of downtime you might face and whether your backups are on the cloud, local or a mix of both. Make sure your backup ticks all the boxes for compliance, especially if you’re in a sensitive field like health care.
2.? Use the 3-2-1 rule.
Once you have a reliable backup solution, consider using the 3-2-1 backup rule, a standard set of best practices for data recovery. The rule recommends storing three copies of your data in two different formats, with one copy stored off-site. This significantly reduces your risk of total data loss.
3. Make sure a backup status report is being generated daily.
Ensure someone – either you or someone on your IT team – is checking the backup status every day. Incomplete backups should be followed up on immediately. Even if your IT team receives a daily report, ask to have a weekly or monthly report delivered to you too, so you can verify that your backups are successful.
4. Do regular restore tests.
Like a fire drill for your data, do a trial run and restore some files or even the whole server every few months to ensure everything works as it should. It’s one thing to have backups, but another to ensure they are in good condition and the data can be retrieved as expected.
5. Don’t ignore your data backups!
Backups might seem like one of those “set and forget” tasks, but when disaster strikes – be it a flood, fire or cyber-attack – your backup could be what saves your business. If you haven’t already, start a conversation with your IT provider and make sure your backup strategy is solid and reliable.
TRIVIA!
Who Else Wants To Win A $25 Gift Card??
?
You can be the Grand Prize Winner of this month’s Trivia Challenge Quiz! Just be the first person to correctly answer this month’s trivia question and receive a $25 gift card to Chipotle. Ready? Email us now with your answer to [email protected]!
?
What would Apple co-founder Ronald Wayne’s share of Apple be worth today if he hadn’t sold out
A.????????? $115 million
B.????????? $227 million
C.????????? $22 billion
D.????????? $87 billion
?
?
Book your complimentary CyberScore IT Assessment
Whether you know about it or not, you’re losing money due to your technology. For most companies, its tens of thousands per month, though it can total in the millions. If we could prove EXACTLY how much money you’re losing, where the losses are occurring, and how to fix it (whether you hire us or not), wouldn’t you want to know?
?
The Continuous CyberScore is a?free, 30-minute evaluation process?that identifies and quantifies your inefficiencies and vulnerabilities, as well as giving you a step-by-step plan on how to turn things around. You can book your FREE CyberScore Assessment by emailing us at [email protected], or via our websire at continuous.net/cyberscore, today.
?
领英推荐
Mike Rowe On The Power Of Authenticity
In today’s marketplace, where consumer trust is the linchpin of success, authenticity emerges as a key differentiator for businesses. Who better to break down the power of authenticity than one of the most down-to-earth TV personalities in America – Mike Rowe?
?
Known for his unscripted, real-life experiences, Rowe has had a career – spanning from his unconventional presentations on QVC to his adventures in Discovery’s Dirty Jobs – that offers rich lessons on the power of authenticity in life and business.
?
Balance Authenticity And Authority
In 2001, Rowe worked at San Francisco’s KPIX-TV. Eventually, he started a segment called “Somebody’s Gotta Do It,” where he interviewed tradespeople. Initially, Rowe imagined that he, the host, would explain the interviewee’s work to the audience. After all, that’s how his hosting experience had been so far.
?
Down in the sewers of San Francisco with Gene Cruz, Rowe began his opening line for the show. Just then, human feces splattered across his face. In response, Cruz said something that later became Rowe’s mantra: “Down here in the sewer, it’s best to keep your mouth shut.” But Rowe kept trying his line – and failing. Between invasive cockroaches and rats, he couldn’t get it right. Finally, Rowe gave up and let Cruz do the talking. The show was a massive hit and later became Rowe’s foundation for his legendary performance on Dirty Jobs.
?
Instead of talking as the expert, Rowe let the real expert talk. In the city sewers, he realized he had to strike a new balance between expert authority and authenticity in order to connect sincerely with his audience.
?
“At that moment, I transitioned from – what I would call in cable TV anyway – the age of authority, where all the information came from an expert or a host, into the age of authenticity we’re living in today, where the viewer is more skeptical and prefers to get their information by watching a conversation instead of a lecture,” he explains.
Somewhere between authority – knowing your business and having all the facts – and genuine authenticity – being completely yourself with no offense (which your audience doesn’t want to see anyway) – is where authenticity lives, Rowe says. The key to building a loyal audience to figure out how to strike that balance.
?
Authenticity Is More Than Passion
In an early episode of Dirty Jobs, Mike plunged into a septic tank alongside Les Swanson. After 15 years as a guidance counselor and psychologist, Swanson had left his career to start a septic-tank-pumping venture near Madison, Wisconsin.
“It was Les Swanson who said to me, ‘I’m not here because I’m passionate about septic tanks,’” Mike reflects. “‘I’m here because I wanted to do something different.’”
?
Rowe’s journey mirrored a similar path. He’d crawled into sewers and septic tanks, using his skills in conversation to shine a light on others’ important work. “The lesson isn’t to not have passion. Passion is important to follow – bring it with you in all things,” Rowe says. “But real job satisfaction comes from finding an opportunity and finding a way to be great at it, and then finding a way to love it.”
?
?
Gadget of the Month
Rocketbook Reusable Smart Notebook
Dreaming big requires a lot of brainstorming. And brainstorming often results in a lot of crumpled-up paper in the wastebasket. Sometimes, our best ideas get lost in stacks of desk clutter or, worse, left in a pocket only to end up in the washing machine. The Rocketbook reusable smart notebook tackles this problem, blending the satisfaction of handwriting with the convenience of digital storage.
Write your thoughts, scan them and then erase the pages for reuse. This cycle keeps your notes organized and searchable on your device while conserving paper. By offering a reusable alternative to traditional notebooks, Rocketbook stands out as a practical, eco-friendly solution for capturing and organizing your bursts of creativity!
?
Reading Corner
Deep Work By Cal Newport
It’s undeniable: we’re more distracted than ever. From text messages and e-mail pings to social media and our own disruptive thoughts, the relentless influx of distractions is sabotaging our productivity and even our ability to be present in our lives. Deep Work, by Cal Newport, is a compelling guide to help us take back our focus and cultivate more fulfillment in our work. Newport introduces readers to four “rules” to transform our minds and habits into a hyper-focused superpower: work deeply, embrace boredom, quit social media and drain the shallows. Through engaging stories and practical advice, the book outlines a framework for cultivating a deep work ethic, promising professional growth and a more profound sense of personal fulfillment. Deep Work is an essential read for those looking to navigate a distracted world with grace and achieve focused success.
?
Letter from the Continuous Networks, LLC Founders
Dear Continuous Family,
?
Welcome to this edition of "What's Tasty," where we merge the zest of tacos with the world of IT to bring you services that are not just necessary but delightfully impactful.
Our Recipe for Success:
At Continuous, we're dedicated to providing IT services that are as indispensable and enjoyable as your favorite taco. We're here to ensure that your technology solutions are not just a part of your business operations but a cornerstone of your success.
Thank you for being a vital part of our community. Together, we'll continue to make IT delightful, effective, and, above all, tasty.
?
Warmest regards,
Jason and Ross
?
?