Why you should stop ignoring server backups
Look, we’ve all been there. You see a message pop up in the corner of your screen saying something like, “Your last backup was 436 days ago”. You do what any normal, busy person would do – ignore it! But what happens when, a few weeks later, your website crashes and none of your data is saved?
You might think that the only feasible solution here is perfecting the art of time travel. But if you don’t have a Tardis to hand, what you should invest in is future prevention. Backing up your data regularly is the only answer to that.
What is a server backup?
A server backup is the process of copying and storing your server’s data on a separate device in a safe location. It may sound complex, but it’s really no different to saving photos from your camera onto your computer or storing all your docs in Google Drive.
You can perform a backup at any time or schedule them to run automatically. But the more often you do it, the better prepared you'll be in the event of a disaster.
What causes data loss?
You don’t pack an umbrella every day expecting it to rain (well, maybe you do in the UK!), but if you get caught in a downpour, you’ll be glad you came prepared. The same thing is true for server backups.
There are a few different scenarios that can cause you to lose your data.
Disaster recovery
Usually occurring because of an external incident, like a fire, flood or cyberattack, it can be disastrous not only for you but for your customers too. Getting up and running again can be an arduous task.
Hardware failure
We all know that technology is not always reliable and, just like any other piece of hardware, your servers can fail.
Human error
As much as we’d like to think we’re perfect, human error is a common cause of data loss. It’s important to remember that things happen, but there’s no excuse for being unprepared.
Why are server backups important?
Backing up your servers can help prevent most scenarios. No matter what, you’ll always have duplicates of your data – kind of like having a spare set of house keys.
Not only is it an important prevention method, but when disasters do inevitably strike, having a regular backup cadence can help minimise business downtime and protect your clients’ or customers’ data. Plus, you're remaining legally compliant.
How do I back up my server?
The good news is, backups are easy. There are a couple of methods you can use.
- Local backups: This involves uploading your data to a physical storage medium, like a hard drive, which you can keep in a safe place. There are a few drawbacks, namely limited storage capacity and the vulnerability of the physical medium.
- Remote backups: An offsite backup guarantees extra security and can be done from anywhere in the world. This method is typically preferable to local backups. However, it can take longer to retrieve data if your servers go down, as your provider may ask you to call customer support to recover your backup first.
- Use backup software: If you’ve built your website with an online tool, the good ones should offer automatic backups as standard to secure your data. That way, you don’t have to worry about a thing.
We’ve got your back(up)
As a business owner, you’ve already got enough on your plate – so don’t add data disasters to it. Our Cyber Protect product, powered by Acronis, includes fast and secure backups all under one roof.
Cyber Protect is easy to install and simple to manage. Plus avoid corruption of files, stop/restart backups anytime and backup files and systems in a flash with archiving technology.
Choose exactly what you want to back up and how often you want to do it, so you can prevent data loss before it happens. Ready to protect your data?