Falls Technology ServicesMost people find out their backup stopped working on the day they need it. A backup you've never tested is just a hope.
The two-minute monthly check
- Pick one file you changed recently
- Restore it from the backup to a different folder
- Open it and make sure it's the latest version
If you can't do that, your backup isn't protecting you, whatever the software says.
The 3-2-1 rule
A simple rule backup professionals use:
- 3 copies of anything important (the original plus two backups)
- 2 different kinds of storage (for example a drive and the cloud)
- 1 copy somewhere else, away from the building
The off-site copy is the one that saves you from a fire, a theft, or ransomware that encrypts everything plugged into the computer, including the backup drive sitting next to it.
Syncing is not a backup
OneDrive, Google Drive and Dropbox keep your files in step across devices. That's useful, but if a file is deleted or scrambled on one device, the change syncs everywhere. They do keep some history, but usually only for a limited time. A real backup keeps older versions you can go back to.
What to back up
- Documents, spreadsheets and photos
- Your accounting and business software data
- E-mail, if it isn't already kept by your provider
- Anything you'd have to recreate by hand
Want us to check yours? We can set up automatic backups with an off-site copy, and test that files can actually be brought back.
Need a hand?
More about our data backup help. Or tell us what's going on and we'll get back to you.
Send us a message or call (208) 745-2981, Monday to Friday, 9 to 5.