As we enter 2024, it’s important for individuals and organizations to re-evaluate their data backup strategies and ensure they are following current best practices. Having a solid backup plan in place is one of the best ways to protect against data loss from hardware failure, natural disasters, cyber attacks, and human error. Here are some of the key backup best practices I recommend implementing in 2024:
Regularly Schedule Backups
One of the most fundamental backup best practices is to regularly schedule backups to occur automatically. Ideally, backups should occur daily for crucial data. For less critical data that doesn’t change often, weekly or monthly backups may suffice. Automating the process ensures backups happen consistently without having to remember to manually trigger each one.
Many backup software tools allow creating customized schedules to back up different types of data at different frequencies. Take time to evaluate which backup intervals are right for different datasets based on how often the data changes and its importance.
Back Up to Multiple Destination Types
While relying on a single backup destination like an external hard drive may seem convenient, this approach is risky if that one backup copy gets lost, stolen, or damaged. A better practice is to maintain redundant copies of backups in multiple locations.
I recommend backing up data to at least two different destination types, such as:
- External hard drive or USB drive
- Secondary internal hard drive or SSD
- Secure cloud storage
- Offsite physical storage (kept elsewhere)
Storing backups both locally and in the cloud provides both fast recovery and an offsite copy. Always encrypt confidential data before backing up to the cloud.
Test Restores Regularly
A common backup pitfall is discovering too late that backups have been failing or becoming corrupted. I recommend periodically conducting test restores of backups to confirm they can successfully recover lost data. Ideally, test restoring backups on a monthly basis.
Restore backed up files to a test environment that mimics your actual systems to verify backups contain current data and function as expected. Test restoring full system image backups as well as individual file backups. Identify and troubleshoot any issues encountered to ensure your backups are dependable when needed.
Use Versioning to Retain Backup History
Many backup solutions provide versioning – the ability to retain and access multiple iterations of backups over time. Versioning enables restoring previous versions of data if needed while also guarding against situations like ransomware encrypting both production data and connected backup destinations.
Take advantage of versioning capabilities to preserve point-in-time snapshots of data. Determine versioning policies based on specific retention requirements and available storage capacity. Frequently changing data may benefit from more versions retained over a shorter timespan while archival data can likely be versioned less frequently.
Encrypt and Secure Backup Locations
Since backups contain valuable and often sensitive data, it is crucial to both encrypt backup data and secure the physical media or cloud storage locations where backups are maintained.
Use robust encryption protocols like AES-256 to encrypt backup files, or utilize encrypted backups built into backup tools. Restrict access to backup destinations through permissions, multi-factor authentication, VPNs, firewalls, and physical security controls.
Follow cybersecurity best practices like isolating backups from production networks, guarding against malware infections, and controlling media disposal when applicable.
Assign Backup Ownership Roles
Data backups tend to fall lower on the priority list without clear ownership and responsibility assigned. To help ensure backup processes receive appropriate focus:
- Designate administrators officially accountable for configuring backups and verifying their success. Provide training to backup owners on using your specific tools.
- Enable appropriate access to backup activities across roles like view-only insight for compliance teams.
- Notify key stakeholders when backups encounter issues so problems can be quickly resolved before data loss occurs.
With proper backup ownership established, this critical duty is more likely to get the attention it requires.
Conclusion
Rigorously following modern backup best practices helps mitigate risk of data loss while enabling reliable recovery capability when needed. Take time in 2024 to review your backup infrastructure against current standards. Identify any gaps where upgrading processes or tools could strengthen your backup posture. Protecting your data with rock-solid backups takes diligence, but pays dividends in the form of peace of mind and organizational resilience.
