Data is the heart of any organization — and any disruptions from data loss are especially detrimental for small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) that rely on every one of their customers. Even losing a handful of loyal customers could be a major blow.
That’s why data protection is a critical component of business continuity planning.
For SMBs — which often operate with limited resources — data availability and integrity absolutely must remain intact via robust backup strategies. Without solid strategies in place, it’s difficult to plan ahead and continue growing your business.
Let’s explore the vital role of data backup in SMB continuity planning, as well as best practices for safeguarding your business data.
[Related: The Rising Need for IT Support in Small Business Data Protection]
What Is Business Continuity Planning?
In short, business continuity planning prepares for potential disruptions that could affect your SMB’s operations.
Data disruptions range from natural disasters and cyberattacks to hardware failures and human error.
Business continuity planning’s core is data backup. Having a reliable system in place helps ensure your business can quickly recover information and minimize downtime if unexpected events arise.
Here’s the Critical Role of Data Backup
Data loss can occur due to various reasons:
- Hardware malfunction
- Software corruption
- Accidental deletion
- Cyberattacks like phishing
- Ransomware
With that said, regular data backups give you that pivotal safety net so you can restore your compromised data and avoid catastrophic losses.
Although it’s ideal to prevent data loss in the first place, sometimes disruptions still occur. Having recent and reliable data backups helps your business resume operations with minimal interruption.
Plus, backups help you maintain your valued customers’ trust and satisfaction.
For example, a retail SMB that loses its sales data from an unexpected system crash can quickly restore its records in a matter of minutes with high-quality backups. Its data backups also prevent prolonged service outages — and financial loss.
[Related: Why WA SMBs Should Rely on Local IT Professionals To Prevent Data Breach Threats]
Data Backup Best Practices for SMBs
There are never enough ways to protect your data — but data backup is near the top.
Here are best practices to do so successfully.
Implement a Multitiered Strategy
A multitiered backup strategy involves creating multiple copies of data stored in three different locations:
- On-site
- Off-site
- In the cloud
Diversifying your backup locations, aka geodiversity, ensures your data has protection even if one location is compromised.
Automate Backup Processes
Automated backup processes significantly reduce the risk of human error. Additionally, they ensure ongoing backups.
You can schedule automated backups to occur at specific intervals, such as daily or weekly. As a result, your most recent data is always available for restoration.
Regularly Test Backup and Recovery Procedures
Routinely testing your backup and recovery procedures provides peace of mind that you can restore your data when and if necessary.
To do so, you need to verify your backup files’ integrity and conduct simulated recovery scenarios identifying potential issues before a real disaster occurs.
But this is an often tricky process to follow if you’re not experienced in IT procedures.
At CMIT Solutions of Seattle, we offer data protection and routine backup solutions for SMBs of all types.
Encrypt Backups for Added Security
Encrypting backup data adds that extra layer of security — and your business can never have too much security!
Encryption is especially important if you store sensitive information, like invoices and contact credentials.
So even if a bad actor intercepts your backup data, they can’t read or understand it without the appropriate decryption key.
[Related: What the Mysterious Demise of TrueCrypt Means for Your Data]
Keep Backups Up to Date
Outdated backups don’t reflect your most recent data state and lead to incomplete restorations.
Your business must make sure your backups are as current as possible. As a result, you minimize data loss from new customers and projects while ensuring a quick return to normal operations.
[Related: Optimize Project Performance With the Latest, Safest Workforce Productivity Apps]
Contact CMIT Solutions of Seattle for Smooth SMB Continuity Planning
Data backup isn’t just another IT task to set aside for when the time is right for your SMB. It’s a critical component of your business continuity planning.
But crafting backup measures isn’t as easy as you might think. And it’s critical to get them right. That’s where CMIT Solutions of Seattle comes in.
We know SMBs often don’t have in-house IT staff to tackle those tricky tech tasks that keep your data safe. Luckily, we specialize in a range of continuity planning areas, including data backup, monitoring and recovery.
Contact us today to get your business in a secure spot. We’re eager to get started on a plan that works best for your unique needs.
Featured image via Unsplash
