Three Simple Steps for Backing Up Your Data

There are very few feelings that can match that sinking feeling we all get when we lose days (or weeks, or months) worth of work and data simply because we omitted the crucial step of backing it up properly. Be it medical files or personal info, losing that because of an error is never a good feeling.

While we all want to blame technology in that situation, the hardest part is realizing that it was a mistake on our part, and we didn”t take the proper steps to ensure that would not happen. With that in mind, we decided to throw together some simple steps to ensure that never happens to anyone else.

These are all relatively easy steps to take, and are priceless for making sure all data is backed up and safe, no matter what happens. And though it should go without saying, the first step in this process is keeping the original documents, whatever they may be, in a safe, cool, dry place. Duplicates are always a good idea, so never treat an original document like a copy, and make sure all originals are safe.

Back It Up Weekly

Though the loss of any private or important info can be a huge setback, it only sets us that much further back when we forget to do regular backups. That being said, it is crucial that you set a steady time, weekly, where you will devote some time to backing up your data. Not only will this keep the flow of data current, it will make it that much less of a shock than losing two months’ worth of data at once because we forgot to back it up weekly.

A weekly back up is easy enough to do, but it is priceless for the peace of mind it provides, and is an essential first step in the process.

An External Drive

A remarkably simple solution, but thanks to the availability of inexpensive hardware, a smart solution as well. Be it a hard drive or a USB flash drive, prices of computer hardware have dipped to an all-time-low, so never has it been easier or smarter to back up your data in something you can physically have with you.

The benefits of that include knowing where data is at all times, USB drives are often incredibly compact so they travel easily, they can often carry staggering amounts of info, and they can be purchased relatively inexpensively. One of the drawbacks of this to some people is the risk of losing the actual USB drive, and how easily they can then fall into the wrong hands. If that is a concern, our next option may be a better fit.

Cloud Backup

It is remarkable to us there are still people who don”t realize that the Cloud service is sent from the proverbial Heavens, and that once something is saved on Cloud as well as a Cloud backup, like Crash Plan, that everything is safe and secure, locked away on a platform that can be reached at any time from multiple sources.

Cloud has been the saving grace for a lot of people, but by itself, some worry that it”s just not secure enough. That is why we suggest having a Cloud backup, like Crash Plan, which we mentioned earlier. And one of the best parts of a service like Crash Plan is, they also back up any files that get deleted, so really, anything and everything is extremely secure and always available whenever it is needed. From electronic medical records to sales forecasts, backing up your data in the cloud is secure and accessible.

There are multiple third parties offering Cloud backup services, so we recommend people check with the prices and consumer reviews to find a best fit for them.

In closing, there are multiple routes that people can take to ensure their data is safe, secure, and backed up at all times. But remember, not taking the crucial first steps will only make taking the next steps that much more difficult if something does happen.