Introduction
As a creative professional in 2024, having a solid backup strategy for all my important files and data is absolutely essential. Lost or corrupted files could mean lost income and jeopardize client relationships. In this article, I’ll explore the key elements every creative pro should consider when implementing a backup strategy today to ensure your data remains safe and accessible in the years to come.
The 3-2-1 Backup Rule
Experts recommend following the 3-2-1 rule for backups:
- Have 3 total copies of your data
- Store the copies on 2 different media types
- Keep 1 copy offsite
This covers you in case of disk failures, device theft, natural disasters, accidental deletion, file corruption, and more. Let’s look at each part of the 3-2-1 rule in more detail.
3 Total Copies
Having three total copies ensures you have the original data plus two backups. If one copy becomes unavailable or corrupted, you still have two more to restore from. The three copies should be:
- Primary data – This is the live working copy of your important files on your computer or external drive.
- Local backup – A copy stored on an external hard drive or network attached storage (NAS) device.
- Offsite backup – A copy stored “in the cloud” or at a remote location.
2 Different Media Types
Storing your copies on two different media types mitigates the risk of media failure. For example, if your primary data is stored on an internal SSD, one backup copy could be on an external HDD and another on a cloud service. Different media options include:
- Internal hard drives
- External hard drives
- RAID storage devices
- Tape drives
- Cloud storage
This way if one fails, you can restore from the other.
1 Offsite Copy
Keeping one copy offsite (e.g. cloud storage) prevents against local disasters like fires, floods, or theft that could destroy all locally stored copies.
Backup Software
Using dedicated backup software helps automate the process of backing up your files. Here are top options for creative pros:
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Time Machine – Apple’s built-in backup software for Mac. It’s easy to setup and maintains historical versions of files.
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Cloud backup services – Services like Backblaze and Carbonite offer unlimited cloud backup for a monthly fee.
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Clonezilla – Free disk imaging software that makes exact copies of drives which can be restored in case of disk failure or corruption.
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Sync software – Apps like GoodSync synchronize selected files/folders between locations. Helpful for maintaining offsite copies.
Cloud Backup Services
Cloud backup services deserve special mention. They provide an easy way to maintain an offsite copy of your data. Top services like Backblaze and Carbonite offer unlimited storage for around $70/year. Here are key things to look for in a cloud backup service:
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File versioning – Access to previous versions of files allows recovery from accidental changes or corruption.
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Mobile apps – Allows accessing or restoring files on the go from your smartphone or tablet.
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Restoration options – Ability to download specific files/folders or have entire drive shipped overnight.
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Security – Encryption of data in transit and at rest to prevent unauthorized access.
Backup Cadence
In addition to where you backup your files, when you backup is also important. Here are some best practices:
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Backup high priority files like current client projects continuously using sync software or services like Dropbox.
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Perform a daily backup of new/changed files to your local external drive using backup software.
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Do a weekly full backup to capture everything.
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Maintain monthly or quarterly backups offsite to have years of version history.
More frequent backups reduce the risk of losing substantial work to accidental file deletion or corruption.
Storing Backups
To protect your backups, consider:
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Keeping local external drives disconnected from your computer except during backup to prevent malware or ransomware from infecting them.
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Encrypting external and cloud backups to prevent unauthorized access if devices are lost/stolen.
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Storing backups in a fireproof/waterproof safe or at a secure remote location like a bank deposit box.
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Using drives with durable cases built to withstand drops, dust, water, etc.
Test Restores
The most important part of any backup strategy is regularly testing restores to ensure your files are recoverable from backup media when needed. Here are some best practices:
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Restore random files monthly to confirm backups are working properly.
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Do a full-scale disaster recovery test 6 months to a year. Restore your entire system from backups to test recoverability.
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When upgrading operating systems or hardware, test restoring from backups before migration.
Final Thoughts
Implementing a comprehensive backup strategy may seem daunting but is absolutely essential to protect your important files as a creative professional. The 3-2-1 rule, utilizing backup software, storing copies on different media types including cloud services, backing up frequently, and testing recovery put you in the best position to avoid data loss catastrophes. Peace of mind is invaluable when it comes to your digital livelihood.
