Data backup, recovery: Knowing your options means knowing you’re covered

This paid piece is sponsored by IT Outlet.

Secure data has become a major pillar for most modern organizations. Without it, building the organization or business for the future — or maintaining a foundation of what’s already there — can be like trying to build a skyscraper out of sand.

Data is no longer a nice-to-have asset. Today, data is a must. Data is also not a one-size-fits-all scenario. Your business has unique characteristics. So does your data, and so should your data backup and security plan. Consider the following.

Types and methods of data backup

Successful data protection strategies rely on a mix of backup techniques and recovery methods. When considering a recovery option, it’s best to remember the basic idea that we are all forced to live by: data breaches are not a matter of if but when. Because of that, our IT field has embraced multiple recovery methods, including three that are highly effective: full, incremental and differential backup.

Full backups offer a high level of comprehensive data protection. Say, for instance, you have blueprints for a new building, client information, HR documentation and more on a central system. A full backup plan ensures all that data is verified and saved when a backup is performed. Usually done once a week, most full backups are done after a major operating system upgrade or software install.

Differential backups are performed to save new data that has changed only since your last backup. For example, if you performed a backup Monday and then added new software Tuesday, a differential backup might be performed to back up all the new data that was generated from the Tuesday software install. These backups are quicker than a full approach because they are not backing up everything.

Incremental backups are similar to differential backups except they save only the smaller changes made since the last backup. They require less storage space than a differential or full backup approach.

The reason why any of this matters to you and your operation is to understand that data protection and backup requires optionality and flexibility. Our team at IT Outlet designs custom data backup and recovery solutions that utilize elements of every approach mentioned above based on your needs. Our data team may nerd out a bit on creating the best fit for your team, but that’s why so many clients love us and why we are successful with data. There is no one-size-fits-all approach.

We will assess whether you need faster backup times or more complete backups when they are performed. There is a cost — mostly in storage space — related to different options.

Immutable backups speak loudly

In addition to backup strategies, we also provide insight on immutable backups. This type of backup cannot be modified or altered for a certain period of time. This approach is growing in favor among businesses and offers a high level of data certainty and security should a breach or attack occur.

With immutable backup comes the need for cold storage and an easy system to recover data. We’ve helped many clients set up an off-site data storage and recovery system to ensure their critical information is safe and accessible. We can do the same for you, whether it’s creating a full, differential or incremental backup sequence or also adding an immutable component. We “nerd out” for this stuff; that’s why so many clients love working with us and letting our team handle their data needs.

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