Backing up data is more important than ever in our increasingly digital world. As we head into 2024, having a solid data backup plan will ensure your files stay protected from loss. In this article, I’ll go over some of the best new backup tools and strategies to implement for the coming year.
Cloud Backup Services
Cloud backup services have become one of the most popular and convenient ways to protect files. Instead of needing to plug in an external hard drive, these services let you backup data securely online. Here are some top cloud backup options for 2024:
Carbonite
Carbonite is one of the most well-known and trusted names in cloud backup. Their software runs quietly in the background to continuously backup your files offsite. I particularly like that Carbonite offers unlimited backup space for a flat fee. Their plans start at $72 per year for individual use.
IDrive
IDrive stands out for supporting backups across unlimited devices. Their personal plan provides 5TB of backup space for $52.12 for the first year. I use IDrive to seamlessly backup all my laptops, smartphones, and tablets in one place.
Backblaze
Backblaze is another leading cloud backup solution. One advantage is they allow you to mail in a hard drive to seed the initial backup, which can save on upload time. Backblaze offers unlimited storage for $60 per year.
External Hard Drives
External hard drives remain a key piece of a solid backup strategy in 2024. They provide an air-gapped, offline backup source. Some top drives to consider:
Samsung T7
The Samsung T7 is my top recommendation for a portable external SSD in 2024. It offers blazing fast transfer speeds up to 1,050MB/s. The drive has a sleek design and features encryption to keep your data secure. It’s available in sizes from 500GB up to 2TB.
WD My Book Duo
For large backup needs, the WD My Book Duo packs tons of storage into a desktop RAID array. The two-bay enclosure can be configured for up to 28TB of storage with included RAID capabilities. It’s ideal for complete system backups and archiving huge files.
Seagate Backup Plus Hub
The Seagate Backup Plus Hub combines an external hard drive with front-facing USB ports to easily add more storage and charge devices. It simplifies connecting peripherals alongside your backup drive. It’s available in sizes from 4TB to 14TB.
Backup Software
Using dedicated backup software ensures your files get backed up on a set schedule and offers options like versioning. Here are some top backup programs for 2024:
Veeam Backup & Replication
Veeam is the gold standard for backing up entire virtual machines. Their software is incredibly fast and offers recovery points as frequent as every 15 minutes. It’s great for disaster recovery scenarios.
Acronis True Image
For full-disk imaging of entire systems, Acronis True Image provides super easy, reliable backups. Their software can even backup an active operating system. I rely on system images to quickly restore my machine back to a previous state.
MSP360 Managed Backup
MSP360 (formerly CloudBerry) Managed Backup is designed for managed service providers. It enables offering backup services by centralizing management across client accounts. I use MSP360 to simplify protecting client data at scale.
Backup Strategies
Now let’s discuss some key backup strategies to implement for the best protection:
3-2-1 Rule
The 3-2-1 rule helps ensure backups are redundant and portable:
- 3 copies of data – Original + 2 backups
- 2 different mediums – Such as cloud and local disk
- 1 copy offsite – Protect against local disasters
Incremental Backups
Performing incremental backups that only copy changed files saves storage space and speeds up backups. I take weekly full backups with daily incrementals in between.
Offline Backups
Storing a backup offline, disconnected from systems, protects against ransomware. I keep weekly backup drives unplugged in a safe when not in use.
Test Restores
Periodically restoring backups to test they work is critical. I pick random files monthly and make sure I can successfully restore from backup.
Backup Monitoring
Use backup software with monitoring to get notified if backups fail. Most support email notifications if a scheduled backup does not complete.
Wrap Up
Having reliable backups ensures you can regain lost or corrupted files. Heading into 2024, consider modern cloud backup services, external drives, backup software, and critical strategies like the 3-2-1 rule. Let me know if you have any other questions!
