Why do you need to backup?

Even if you run your business with care, incidents can occur, resulting in loss of, or damage to data.

What can happen if I don’t backup?

Without an effective backup system in place you may be at the mercy of natural disasters or human interference. These might include the below:
 

Theft, accidental or deliberate deletion of files

If files are stolen or deleted, yours and your clients' confidential data is at risk. Backing up your files and emails allays this, as most backed up documents and emails can be recovered by a good I.T. technician.

Loss or damage of storage devices

When you rely on storage devices, you are relying on a physical item which is prone to damage or loss. If a server crashes or is a victim of a fire or power outage, you can lose all the data your business owns – unless you have a back-up plan in place for that server or the files. If you use portable devices like hard drives or USB, they can be easily lost or worse, stolen! This causes a loss of data and a potential security breach, resulting in loss of confidence from your clients.

Access to unsecured documents or personal records

Companies now store financial and human resource records on data sources. Not having secure or backed up documents may allow for easy access by unauthorised personnel who can use the data for their own benefit or curiosity. Personal information can be used maliciously and may result in staffing loss of confidence in management.

Breaches from hacking or malware – including ransomware

We have talked about the huge issue of hacking many times through our blogs. Hacking is increasing and hackers are getting more advanced. Chances are an attempt will be made to hack your system and a hacker may gain access to your files and encrypt them, holding them – in effect – for ransom. Having a backup system ensures you can remove the hacker from your device (via your I.T. company) and restore earlier, uncorrupted data.

A change in key attributes to files, such as settings

All it takes is one keystroke in renaming a file or folder and it can be “lost” within your system. Backing up your files and folders ensures you can restore that important file or document without losing the data. This will enable less lost time for your staff.

Non-compliance to procedures such as password management, clicking on suspicious links or not following protocols

The federal government and insurance companies are slowly enforcing that some fields of business have effective cyber security with data storage and backup solutions in place to ensure compliance to meet trading requirements. So far, the finance field has had changes to reflect this. An effective backup system will show that you are maintaining standards and your I.T. company can help you with password security including Multi Factor Authentication (MFA). This compliance gives you a high trust rating with your clients and allows you to meet insurance requirements.
 

Where can I get more information?