Hardware or software failures, data corruption, ransomware attacks, or simply accidental deletion can result in large amounts of data being lost. Backups provide a safety net when things go wrong and are an indispensable part of planning your infrastructure.
Setting the foundation: 3-2-1
Only a well-structured backup strategy enables data recovery when you need it. If you are just starting, or if you are in the process of rethinking your existing system, follow the 3-2-1 backup rule:
- Have at least 3 copies of your data
- Keep these copies on 2 different mediums
- Store at least 1 copy off-site
A local backup is the first step to protecting your data. You bolster your plan by storing copies on different media to protect against any single point of failure. For example, by having a copy of your PC backup stored on NAS.
Having a copy of your data off-site is generally the most difficult and costly step. However, it is extremely important, as local backups do not protect against fire, natural disaster, or theft of all your equipment.
A simple way to add off-site protection is to back up your NAS to cloud storage. For larger deployments, setting up a disaster recovery site at a remote datacenter or branch office is often more cost-efficient.
