31.03.2023 - Accidental deletion, technical problems and cyberattacks are common causes for the loss of important electronic data. An effective backup strategy, and therefore good data protection, helps to minimise the adverse effects of data loss. World Backup Day on 31 March is intended to remind everyone to back up their data regularly.
Data is invaluable in today's digital world. Individuals, businesses and the state store large amounts of data that is vital for personal interests, for carrying out business processes or for other reasons. There can be serious repercussions if this data is lost or corrupted. Therefore, regularly backing up data is extremely important and can save a great deal of hassle and problems in the event of loss.
A backup helps protect data
Human error, natural phenomena and cybercrime all pose serious threats to data. There can be serious repercussions if data is damaged or deleted. For instance companies may have to halt production after a cyberincident because they can no longer access their data and thus their production schedule, for example.
Since unauthorised persons can wreak a lot of havoc, especially with sensitive data, many businesses and organisations are legally obliged to retain and protect certain data.
Creating backups is an important means of preventing data loss and is a crucial part of data management and security. Should disaster strike, a backup allows data to be fully restored in a timely manner.
Tips:
By following these tips, you can ensure that your data is safe and secure:
- Schedule Regular Backups:
Make sure to back up your important data on a regular basis, such as weekly or monthly, depending on the volume of data generated. You can set up automatic backups or reminders to ensure that you don't forget.
- Use Multiple Backup Methods:
Relying on a single backup method is not enough. Use multiple backup methods such as external hard drives, cloud storage, or even physical backups on DVDs or flash drives. This way, if one method fails, you still have a backup.
- Verify Your Backups:
It's essential to verify that your backups are successful and that the data can be restored. Test your backups periodically to make sure they are up to date and accessible.
- Encrypt Your Backups:
Keep your backup files secure by encrypting them. Encryption will ensure that only authorized personnel can access your backup data.
- Keep Your Backup Location Secure:
Make sure to keep your backup location safe from theft, fire, or other physical damage. Consider storing backups in a secure, off-site location.
- Educate Yourself:
Learn about the latest backup technologies and best practices to ensure that your backup strategy is up to date and effective. There are many resources available online to help you learn about backup strategies, so take advantage of them.
Source of the tipps: ENISA (NCSC cooperation partner)
Further information
Last modification 31.03.2023
