The 3-2-1 Backup Principle is a rule to ensure you have backup redundancy, in case accidental deletion, corruption, ransomware and/or stolen hardware.
Essentially, you should keep a copy of 3 backups.
Backup 1: Production – This is usually the Source Data, such as the Data of a Computer.
Backup 2: On-Site Media – This is usually using a backup device such as an External Storage Drive up to a Network Attached Storage (NAS).
Backup 3: Off-site Media – This can usually be a Portable Storage Drive taken away, to a NAS in another Location or a Cloud Storage Service.
It is important to try to have more than 1 backup to ensure you are protected as best as possible. The moment you have a situation that compromises more than 1 backup solution – e.g. a house fire with your Production and External Storage Drive, is a moment filled with stress, sadness and regret.
A basic setup can be your Computer has an External Hard Drive that you backup Data to, then you interchange it by having 1 or more Drives to take on and off-site.
This would work well for the average user at home.
You would store the off-site drives in a trusted, safe location, like a friend or family members house, a secure lockbox somewhere or anywhere you feel would be a good place to keep it/them.
A more optimal solution, especially with more than 1 device, ESPECIALLY for Businesses, is using a Network Attached Storage or NAS. NAS has some good advantages, like being on the Network, so access is much easier and inclusive. NAS usually come with great backup options, so backing up your Devices can be made easy. Then NAS normally have a USB for your External Drive, so you can do a backup of the NAS and take it off-site. Lastly, NAS usually have an avenue for Cloud Storage Backup also.
The most optimal solution is System Backups from all devices to a NAS.
From there, 1 or 2 external storage drives can be interchanged with backing up your NAS. Finally, you utilise Cloud Backup that can usually be done directly from the NAS.
Also, if Cloud is a primary backup being used, such as Microsoft OneDrive, your NAS may have the abilities to sync your Cloud Data to it, creating a backup of the cloud, so if your Cloud Storage fails, you still have a backup.
Backups are not a one size fits all. So it is important to think about what works for you and your situation.
Some solutions can be expensive and more focused toward Businesses, while others may just struggle where you are located, including space at your home, your internet speed and reliability and any concerns you might have, including the Cloud.
Maybe your Business has simple needs and therefore don’t need anything too fancy. On the other hand, not doing enough can make or break your entire situation.
The question you should always ask yourself is:
“How much is your data worth to you?”
You have precious memories, important business documents, what happens if you lose them tomorrow? Will you be ok?
The more effort you place into backups, the better your chances will be in recovery from a disaster.
