Four of the Main Reasons You Need to Regularly Back Up Your Data
In the days before computers and the Internet, if a company had data that was essential to its ability to function properly, that data was paper-based and was either stored in a fireproof safe or copies would be stored at a separate location. Just because, today, we never actually see physical copies of our business’ data, we can sometimes forget that it needs protecting just as much.
The following includes four of the main reasons why you shouldn’t just consider backing up your data, but why you must back it up:
Data and Information Both Have Value
It can be difficult to quantify the value of individual data or items of information, but combined, their value can be significant. That data can range from the results of scientific experiments, to architects’ CAD drawings, customer records to advance purchase orders, survey results to prototype designs. Each in their own way has value to an individual company, and the loss or breach of such data can have a catastrophic result.
Interestingly, when Sony suffered one if its first major data breaches and confidential information from tens of millions of PlayStation Network users was stolen, when the company tried to claim against the its insurers, the claim was denied, the result of a New York High Court ruling that said that the insurance cover could not be triggered by a third-party action, i.e. a hacker. As a result of this, today, cyber insurance policies that specialise in coverage of data breach losses are being considered, while in the meantime, the law courts are keeping a close eye on what can be specifically excluded from a company’s insurance policy.
In the meantime, greater care has to be taken to protect data and information, and one of the best ways being to back that data up in cloud storage with specifically managed servers.
Ransomware Attacks Are on the Increase
It is virtually impossible not to have become aware of the nature of ransomware. Having established that they are an effective way of making money, cybercriminals are continually working on more-sophisticated forms, and mass attacks targeting many hundreds of companies, utility services and hospitals are indiscriminate, and the levels of disruption are enormous. If major enterprises are susceptible to this form of attack, then the chances are that your own business is vulnerable, no matter how careful you are in terms of the cyber security measures you have in place.
One of the most effective ways of avoiding the chaos that can be caused by a ransomware attack is having all your data backed up on a daily basis and stored separately from your operating system, ideally in cloud storage using managed servers. That way all your data is instantly accessible, and after taking appropriate measures to quarantine and remove any infection in your operating system, the data can be downloaded and used again in a seamless manner.
Protect Yourself Against Natural Disasters
Irrespective of whether or not modern technology allows for the better reporting of news, or that global warming exists and it is severely altering weather patterns, the number of weather-related natural disasters seems to be very much on the increase. While Southern America and the Caribbean have borne the brunt of hugely destructive hurricanes, Southern Europe has suffered from an increase in wildfires, and the UK has been hit by several floods after excessive rainfall. In all these instances, businesses can be physically destroyed, and with it, all stored data. America’s Federal Emergency Management Agency produced a report that showed 40% of all businesses hit by a natural disaster fail to start again, 25% will fail within a year, and the US Small Business Administration discovered that a frightening 90% of all businesses fail within two years of suffering a catastrophic loss. One of the principal reasons for this has been data loss and the ability for a business to continue trading with no existing records.
Peace of Mind
A staggering 60% of small businesses fail to back up their data on a daily, or even regular basis. Knowing that the loss of all your business data would be a disaster on its own, this can only add to all the other stresses involved with running your own business, but it needn’t. Daily or weekly backing up of your data into secure cloud storage can help mitigate the other consequences of your business being struck by a natural disaster.
While it is easy to suggest there are highly effective, safe and secure means of storing data separate from your business, such as using the services of Sedmi Odjel, specialists in operating managed servers which provide the very highest level of cyber security for cloud storage data, if it is not something you have considered before, then it would be best to discuss your needs with us in advance. We are aware that the requirements of all businesses differ, and we are also fully respectful of the fact that your company’s data is of a confidential nature and that there is an element of conflict involved in moving that data ‘off site’. While we can assure you here that your data remains 100% confidential when using cloud storage, we would prefer if you gave us a call, or emailed us, and asked us to explain exactly how we are able to protect your company’s data so well.
