Every year on March 31, World Backup Day is celebrated to draw attention to the importance of data backups. Whether important documents, irreplaceable family photos or business data – losing them can have serious consequences. But how can you protect yourself? The answer is: backups!
Why are backups so important?
Data loss can be caused by many factors:
- Hardware defects (e.g. hard disk failure)
- Human error (accidental deletion)
- Malware and ransomware attacks
- Theft or loss of devices
- Natural disasters (e.g. fire or flooding)
Without a backup, much of this data is irretrievably lost. A good backup strategy ensures that you can fall back on an up-to-date backup in an emergency.
The 3-2-1 backup strategy
One of the best methods for backing up data is the 3-2-1 backup strategy:
- Three copies of the data: One original file and two backups.
- Two different storage media: For example, an external hard disk and a cloud solution.
- Keep a copy off-site: At least one backup should be in a different physical location (e.g. with relatives or in a data center).
This method ensures that a backup still exists even in the event of a total local failure (e.g. due to fire or burglary).
Backup options for computers and smartphones
There are numerous ways to back up data from computers and smartphones:
Computer backups
- External hard disks: Backups can be easily automated with tools such as Windows File History or macOS Time Machine.
- Network-attached storage (NAS): A NAS server provides centralized storage and access for multiple devices.
- Cloud storage: Services such as Google Drive, OneDrive or Dropbox synchronize important data and offer versioning.
- Backup software: Programs such as Acronis True Image or Veeam create complete system images for recovery.
Smartphone backups
- Cloud backups: Apple iCloud and Google Drive automatically back up photos, contacts and app data.
- Local backups: Android devices can be backed up with tools such as Samsung Smart Switch, iPhones via iTunes/Finder.
- Manual backup: Photos and important files should be copied regularly to a PC or external hard disk.
Backups are not a luxury, but a necessity. If you stick to the 3-2-1 strategy and regularly back up your data, you can rest easy, even if the worst happens. World Backup Day is the perfect opportunity to review and improve your own backup strategy – before it’s too late!
