Disaster can strike at any time, without warning. A natural calamity, a power outage, a hacking incident, or human error can all lead to data loss and business interruption. In order to minimize the damage and get your business back up and running as quickly as possible, you need to have disaster recovery measures in place. But what if you don’t have the budget for a comprehensive disaster recovery solution? Don’t worry — there are still plenty of affordable and effective options available.
Disaster recovery options that won’t break the bank
Here are some of the best options for disaster recovery on a budget.
Hosting
Using software-as-a-service (SaaS) platforms or cloud-based solutions can be a cost-effective way to ensure that your applications and data are always available. The third-party providers that host these services are responsible for maintaining uptime and ensuring that data is regularly backed up and replicated in the event of an outage. This means that you don’t have to invest in your own infrastructure or worry about managing complex backup procedures on your own.
What’s more, many providers offer pay-as-you-go plans, so you only need to pay for the resources you use. This is especially helpful if you have seasonal or fluctuating needs.
Online backups
Backing up your data to the cloud is a great way to protect it from disasters. There are many online backup services available, and most of them offer free plans for basic users. For instance, Microsoft OneDrive provides users with up to 5 GB of free storage, while Google Drive offers 15 GB of free storage. These are great options if you don’t have a lot of data to back up or can’t afford to pay for a comprehensive solution. Otherwise, you can always upgrade to a paid plan to get more features and storage space.
Online backups are convenient because they can be accessed from anywhere, and you don’t have to worry about losing your data if your computer is lost or damaged. Plus, most online backup services offer automatic backups, so you don't have to remember to do it yourself.
Related reading: How backups save you money
On-site backups
Investing in on-site backup solutions is a good idea if you have sensitive data that you can’t afford to lose. On-site backup solutions can be as simple as an external hard drive or a network-attached storage or NAS device. Both of these options are relatively affordable, and they give you the peace of mind of knowing that your data is safe and sound in your own office.
Off-site backups
While on-site backups are a great first line of defense, it’s also important to have an off-site backup in case of a local disaster. This can be as simple as backing up your data to a portable hard drive and taking it home with you at the end of the day. You can also use a cloud-based backup service like Acronis or Backblaze. Just make sure that your off-site backup location is at least 100 miles away from your primary data center.
A robust disaster recovery plan is key
The best approach to keeping your data safe in case of any disaster is to follow the 3-2-1 backup rule: have three copies of your data, stored on two different types of media, with one copy kept off-site. This will ensure that you always have a backup available, even if one of your backups is lost or damaged.
Having a robust disaster recovery plan is just as important as having the right tools in place. Your disaster recovery plan should include a detailed list of all the steps you need to take in the event of an outage, as well as the contact information of all the key personnel, stakeholders, and third-party organizations you need to notify. Make sure to test your disaster recovery plan regularly, so you can be confident that it will work when you need it.
Don’t wait until a disaster strikes before you start thinking about disaster recovery. By being proactive and investing in the right solutions, you can ensure that your data is always safe and sound. Contact Kortek Solutions today to get started.