No matter how small your business is, you still need a data backup plan. Protecting your computer’s data files is something every small business should be aware of and address before it’s too late. It is not a complicated or expensive process. Protect your small business with these simple and inexpensive tips:
1. Use two external hard drives
This is the most basic and easiest way to protect your data on your internal hard drive. Always lock one of your external hard drives in a sturdy, fireproof safe.
2. Use backup software
It is very important to remove human error and forgetfulness from the equation. Backup software will back up your data automatically and regularly. This software will keep your backup strategy simple and consistent.
3.Use cloud storage
Your data will be stored in an encrypted format when backed up in the cloud at the storage company, which should prevent a hacker from easily accessing your information.
4. Don’t use encryption for your hard drives
For most purposes, encryption of your computer or hard drive is not necessary. Encryption is only necessary for extremely sensitive data, such as your patients’ medical records.
5. Don’t keep highly sensitive data on laptops
Keep highly sensitive data on flash drives, not on the laptop’s hard drive. Flash drives are easy to keep locked up or in your pocket. Use at least two flash drives the same way you would use two external hard drives.
6. Buy only big names
When shopping for any hard drive or flash drive, buy only the big brands. It doesn’t cost any extra money to do this. And when choosing a cloud storage company, use only the oldest and largest company.
7. Restrict access to your data
This means keeping your kids away from your office computer or teaching them what they can and can’t do on your computer. If you have people working in your office, you need to restrict what files they can access. Using a password on certain computers and files is a quick and simple solution to this.
8. Test often
At least a few times a year, you need to access the data you’ve stored on each of your external hard drives and in the cloud. Do this from your main computer as well as your other computers.
9. Don’t put all your eggs in one basket.
Use a combination of hard drives and cloud storage. No single method is a guarantee that your data is completely secure. Also, make sure another family member or employee knows how to find and access your data backups.