Why backing up your data is essential for your business

Loss of data can cripple a business. If you think that’s over-egging it, just imagine how your business would carry on without its IT infrastructure. Chances are production and operations would come to a halt and you would be unable to service your clients, with no guarantees of when the nightmare will end. So yes, loss of data can certainly cripple a business.

The solution is data backup.

Here we’ll outline how your data can be compromised and the role of data backup in providing the security and peace of mind you need.

Cyberattacks and data breaches

Cyberattacks strike in different ways. They can emanate from more recently emerged culprits such as ransomware outbreaks and hackers, or commonplace malware and spyware viruses are still the leading causes of system breaches and data loss.

While anti-malware and antivirus software, or updated security software, can help deter a cyberattack, many businesses are still at risk, particularly with the increase in people working from home.

The impact on a business of a cyberattack reaches way beyond the practicalities of being unable to access IT systems. A data breach makes customers and stakeholders vulnerable and this can be devastating for the reputation of a business and its brand identity.

According to Redseal B2B Research, after a cyber security breach:

• 33% of UK businesses said they lost customers
• 35% said they suffered a damaged reputation
• 23% lost revenue

Hardware problems

Fires, floods and other natural disasters can threaten the loss of data stored on a hard drive or storage device, leaving data virtually impossible to recover.

Likewise, the theft or sabotage of a hard drive will leave a business without data, as would a hard drive.

How data backup keeps operations on track

Data backup is simply copying data files to an alternative, safe location. At E2E Technologies we use Acronis Cyber Backup to back up our clients’ data. Acronis advocates a 3-2-1 rule:

• Keep at least three copies of your data
• Store the data in at least two different formats (disk, tape, cloud etc)
• Keep one copy offsite to protect against fire, flood, theft and other disasters

To facilitate this rule, there are various options available for data backup.

Cloud backups

E2E Technologies advocate cloud backups. Cloud backups store data offsite on remote servers that are accessed through an internet connection. Automated backups of complete systems can be created. Access to the data when needed is straightforward, and the restoration of data is swift.

Online storage

Often confused with cloud backups, online storage websites such as Dropbox and Google Drive can store backup copies of important data files but they have some serious limitations, such as being unable to back up complete systems or store many versions.

Local and network backups

These involve copying files to hard drives, USB flash drives, external drives and other physical devices.

Acronis Cyber Backup

Acronis Cyber Backup is trusted by E2E Technologies and more than half a million other businesses worldwide. It allows for complete backups with as few as three mouse clicks. The versatility of Acronis Cyber Backup offers the choice of backing up entire systems or limiting backups to specific data and files.

Can we help?

To find out how E2E Technologies can supply cost-effective cloud backup services for your business to avoid data loss, downtime and security breaches, get in touch with the team for an informal chat.