Data backup and disaster recovery myths run rampant in the business world. But when it comes to protecting your company's data, separating fact from fiction is crucial. To help you get a better handle on the reality of data backup and disaster recovery, we’ve busted some of the biggest myths surrounding them.
Myth 1: "My business is too small to need data backup and disaster recovery."
If your company relies on any kind of data, or has files that are essential to your operations and would be difficult or impossible to recreate, then you need data backup and disaster recovery. Even if it's just a few customer records or invoices, these documents and information can be lost in an instant due to a power surge, a computer crash, or even human error. Data loss can lead to downtime, customer dissatisfaction, and financial losses — all of which are serious problems for businesses of any size.
Of course, if you’re a small business, there’s no need to invest in an expensive, enterprise-level data backup and disaster recovery system. Instead, focus on finding a solution that fits your needs and budget, which a qualified IT services provider can help you with.
Myth 2: "We already have multiple copies of our data, so we're protected."
Having multiple copies of your data is definitely a good start. But it’s not enough to protect your business from data loss. Multiple copies of data that are not regularly backed up and stored in a secure off-site location can be easily lost or destroyed if a disaster strikes. To truly protect your data, you need an automated solution that creates and updates multiple copies of your data and stores them in multiple locations. This ensures that even if one or more of your data copies are lost, you’ll still have other versions to fall back on.
Related reading: A quick guide to creating a successful data backup strategy
Myth 3: "We store our data in the cloud, so we don't need to back it up."
While the cloud is convenient for storing and accessing your data from anywhere, anytime, it’s not a substitute for comprehensive data backup and disaster recovery. No matter how secure you may think the cloud is, it’s still susceptible to data loss due to hardware or software failure, cyberattacks, and other unforeseen events. Also, not all cloud solutions offer the same level of security and reliability, so it’s important to do your research and make sure you are working with a reputable provider.
Myth 4: "Our backups are automated, so we don't have to worry about them."
Automated backups are a great way to streamline the process of backing up your data. But this doesn’t mean you should just “set it and forget it.” Regularly testing and verifying your backups is essential to ensure that the data you’re backing up is actually being backed up correctly. This means making sure that the backups are running on schedule, and that the data you’re backing up is complete and accurate. Additionally, it's important to periodically review your backup strategy to make sure it's adequate for the amount of data your business produces and to guard against any potential vulnerabilities in the system.
Myth 5: "All we need for disaster recovery is a good backup."
While data backups are an essential part of disaster recovery, they’re not the only piece of the puzzle. In addition to backing up your data, you need a comprehensive plan for restoring it in the event of an outage or disaster. This includes having the appropriate hardware and software to restore data quickly, and providing ongoing training for the people who will be responsible for restoring the data. Without a plan that covers all the bases, you risk being unable to recover your data in a timely manner, which can be devastating for your business.
At the end of the day, data backups and disaster recovery are essential for businesses of all sizes. Taking the time to find a solution that meets your needs and budget will help ensure you’re prepared for any eventuality and keep your business up and running.
Not sure where to get started? Our experts at Kortek Solutions can help.