Mastering the Art of the 3-2-1 Backup Rule

Data backup can be a bit nerve-wracking to implement, especially as a small business owner with limited knowledge of business IT solutions. One best practice we like to plug for SMBs is the 3-2-1 backup rule, which sounds more complicated than it really is. Today, we’re exploring the details of this approach and how it can change the way you think about backup and disaster recovery as a whole.

3 Copies of Your Data

The first stage of the 3-2-1 rule is to keep at least three copies of your data in the form of primary, secondary, and tertiary backups.

For example, you might keep your primary operational data on-site, perhaps on an external hard drive or a network-attached storage device for ease of access. In the event this is unavailable, corrupted, or otherwise compromised, you have a secondary copy as a backup on a different medium, preferably off-site. The tertiary copy is your last resort and exists to offer an alternative backup plan should the need arise.

Having three distinct copies of your business’ data means that no single point of failure can eliminate all three at the same time; it’s a simple precaution, yet a powerful one nonetheless.

2 Different Storage Mediums

In data backup, diversification is paramount to a successful recovery.

The 3-2-1 rule recommends that you store your backups on at least two different types of storage media. For example, you don’t want to rely exclusively on external hard drives in the same location, as that would leave your business vulnerable in the event of a localized disaster. Instead, you want to leverage different types of media, like cloud storage, to guarantee that at least one of your backups is accessible at any given time.

By keeping two copies on different storage media, you’re minimizing the odds of widespread data corruption and maximizing the chance of a successful restoration.

1 Copy Off-Site

Finally, you must keep at least one copy of your data backup off-site.

Local backups are convenient for quick restores, but they don’t protect your business from threats that impact your on-site location. For example, physical disasters like floods, fires, power surges, or even theft can render your primary data and local backups useless. An off-site backup that is geographically isolated can offer you a safety net that an on-site backup cannot, and with the cloud bridging access to resources in ways that were previously impossible, you don’t have to worry about losing access to this all-important backup.

Having an off-site backup will ensure that even if your physical location were to be compromised somehow, you still have an out.

Implement the 3-2-1 Rule Today

Not sure how to go about implementing the 3-2-1 backup approach for your business? Suffolk Computer Consultants has just the solution for you. Get started today by calling us at 631-905-9617.