We’ve said it again and again: Back up your data. You know it’s important, but for some reason, you just haven’t gotten around to it yet. You may be hung up on all sorts of options, solutions and types of backups or you might not think you have the time to set it up and keep it running. Well, the good news is that creating a backup is probably easier than you think.
As we’ve mentioned before, it’s very important to back up your files regularly and to have at least two copies–one available locally and one stored offsite. Here are a few different ways to get your backups up to speed:
Back up to disc
Burning backup data to a CD or DVD is a pretty simple way to back up your data. It was more popular a few years ago before the advent of large external hard drives, but many people still choose to keep disc backups around.
The downside to burning backups to disc is that it’s a manual process. You have to do it regularly or it won’t get done. Also, you have to store the discs properly to avoid scratches and to preserve the disc. Many burned discs don’t last more than a few years, so be sure to back up to new discs frequently.
Back up to an external hard drive
External hard drives are larger and less expensive than ever, which makes this an attractive backup option. Many drives even come with free backup software, which makes this option even easier to implement. You can also use Apple Time Machine or purchase inexpensive backup software like Acronis True Image to automate and manage your backups.
Cloud backups
Backing up your data to the cloud is actually quite easy. With a service like Jungle Disk or Backblaze, you simply install their app and let it run. It’ll automatically update your online backups without any extra help from you. The downside to cloud backups is that the restore process could take a considerable amount of time depending on the speed of your internet connection and amount of data being restored.
Of course, the best option would be to combine more than one of these methods and to monitor and verify them regularly. It’s imperative to pay close attention when it comes to your business’s data reliability, availability and security. We at OAC Technology, a Minneapolis-based IT company, can assess your backup needs and provide a customized solution that’s right for your company. Contact us today for a free consultation.
