World Backup Day: Just do it
March 31st marks the anniversary of World Backup Day – as a reminder that backups are important. Our advice: Just do it!
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Hardly a day goes by without bad news such as "data encrypted after IT break-in" or the failure of mass storage devices in PCs or servers in private and business environments. As nothing can replace a data backup in case of doubt, today's"World Backup Day" is a reminder to create such backups.
A backup is also important in cases where data carriers are lost. This includes not only USB sticks or drives built into laptops, but also smartphones with their irreplaceable photos. The topic of backup concerns everyone, both end users and professionals.
Backup? Do it!
It can be very easy to get started – you should start by creating a backup in the first place: Any backup is better than no backup. For example, a local backup to an external hard disk can be the starting point. External hard disks with a huge amount of space, for example with a USB connection, are now available extremely cheaply. Copies of important data that is difficult or impossible to recover can be created manually, using the operating system's on-board tools or with special backup software.
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It is important to disconnect the backup data carriers from the system again after the backup. This prevents ransomware, for example, from encrypting the backup. Storage outside the "normal" premises, for example at a relative's house, helps to prevent fire. The 3-2-1-1-0 rule helps to use an almost completely fail-safe backup strategy: Three copies of the data should be available, on two data carriers, one copy of which is stored outside the home; one backup should be offline, precisely so that it cannot be accessed by encryption Trojans, and the zero stands for the number of errors that should occur when checking the backup.
However, this is all advanced backup philosophy, the important thing is to start with it in the first place. Backup strategies can also be improved later on, once the first regular steps have become common practice. This includes, for example, encrypting backups so that thieves cannot gain access to the data.
The latest backup security checklist from c't provides further tips for those interested. iX has also taken a closer look at why data backup is important and what strategies are available.
(dmk)
