In our experience, backing up data and files is one of those tasks on the “do it tomorrow” list! Is that true in your business? But take a step back – what would happen if there was a fire in your premises or your computer system was hacked? Would your business survive without being able to access files, product and financial information, or customer data?

A study by the British Chambers of Commerce found that 93% of businesses that suffer data loss for more than 10 days file for bankruptcy within a year, and 50% do so immediately. Furthermore, a survey conducted by the UK Government’s Cyber Security Breaches Survey 2023 reported that 32% of businesses experienced a cyber breach or attack in the last 12 months, reinforcing the importance of secure data backup (Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport, 2023).

Here are our top 2 recommendations for data backup:

1. USB Stick or External Hard Drive

Are you running just one or two computers? Using a USB or external hard drive to copy your files is a quick and easy way to create a backup. This is a manual process, so it’s handy to set a calendar reminder so you don’t forget to do it regularly. All you need to do is copy and paste your files and let it run in the background whilst you get on with other things. Keep track of backups by creating a folder for each backup using the date, such as 20240318Backup. We advise that you keep these devices off-site for extra security.

2. The Cloud

There are many options for backing up to the cloud. Microsoft OneDrive, Google Drive, Dropbox, and Microsoft Azure all provide secure cloud storage solutions. Azure Backup is a robust, scalable solution designed for businesses of all sizes, offering automated backup, data encryption, and long-term retention policies. Some applications allow you to continually sync your devices, so your files are always up to date without you having to think about it.

Using the cloud, your files will always be stored off-site, and as long as you have an internet connection, your files can be quickly accessed or restored. According to Gartner, 90% of businesses that experience significant data loss without a backup go out of business within two years (Gartner, 2023).

There is usually a nominal charge for using a cloud solution, with most organisations charging monthly, avoiding the need for a large financial investment. The cost usually depends on the amount of storage space you need, but one thing we know for sure is that this monthly fee pales into insignificance compared to the cost of losing all your business files and data.

Your preferred choice for backups will depend on several factors: What do you need to back up and how often? Do you need to include emails? Do you need a manual or automatic process in place?

HBT Communications can provide help and advice to guide you on the best approach to keeping your business information safe. We also offer a secure and robust automated backup and recovery service.

Let us take care of everything, giving you peace of mind that if the unthinkable does happen, your business is prepared and can be quickly back up and running.

For more information or to book your complimentary back-up consultation,
please contact us today by calling 02476 867 422 or sending an email to sales@hbtcommunications.com

References:

• British Chambers of Commerce. (n.d.). Data loss impact on businesses. Retrieved from https://www.britishchambers.org.uk
• Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport. (2023). Cyber Security Breaches Survey 2023. Retrieved from https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/cyber-security-breaches-survey-2023
• Gartner. (2023). The importance of data backup for business continuity. Retrieved from https://www.gartner.com