Do You Understand the 3-2-1 Backup Rule?

There’s no getting around the fact that data backup and disaster recovery are paramount to the survival of any business. Thankfully, the 3-2-1 rule makes implementing effective data recovery practices easy. Let’s look at this process and how you can do so.

Explaining the 3-2-1 Rule

Here’s how the 3-2-1 rule works:

  • Three copies – Have three versions of your data, including the original.
  • Two types of storage – Use at least two different types of storage (like one copy in the cloud and another on your computer’s network).
  • One copy stored elsewhere – Keep one copy somewhere else, like a cloud service or a data center, so it’s safe even if something happens locally.

With the 3-2-1 rule in place, your business will have the bare minimum effective standards for data backup and disaster recovery. We recommend you adjust these standards, including storage places and additional security measures, according to your needs.

The 3-2-1 Rule In Practice

All businesses should follow the 3-2-1 rule, regardless of industry.

Not only does it allow for multiple copies of your data (redundancy), but it also makes data accessible from various locations should the need arise. Your data can be safely stored in the cloud even if your office is destroyed or inaccessible. Similarly, if the cloud fails, you have a data backup stored on-site where you can easily deploy it.

And don’t forget to test backups—there’s nothing worse than expecting a smooth recovery and then being ambushed by a corrupted or incomplete backup.

We Can Help with Data Backup and Disaster Recovery

You shouldn’t gamble on data backup and disaster recovery; with White Mountain IT Services, you’ll never have to. To get started with your own 3-2-1 rule and more comprehensive strategies that will guarantee your business’ survival in the face of adversity, call us at (603) 889-0800 today.

White Mountain IT

Related Posts

What’s Backup and Disaster Recovery, and Do I Need to Worry About It?

Nowadays, businesses need to be prepared for almost every circumstance. You may have heard the term “BDR” used to describe a method of attaining this level of preparation. We wanted to discuss this term in more depth, covering what it refers to and what you need to do to protect your business should BDR be right for you. Spoiler alert: it very much is. “BDR” is Shorthand for Backup and Disaste...

Don’t Let Your Data Vanish into the Ether… Back It Up!

When your business’ data is so crucial to your successful operations, there are certain precautions that you simply need to take for the sake of your business’ longevity. One such precaution: data backup. Your data is the gas that powers your business’ engine, whether you’re referring to project files and intellectual property or financial info and customer records. As such, imagine what it would...

Why You Absolutely Need to Build a Solid DR Strategy

Imagine waking up one day to find your phone wiped clean with no contacts, no photos, and no messages. Now, picture this happening to an entire business, where all their files, data, and systems are gone. Scary, right? That’s why businesses need a Disaster Recovery (DR) system. It helps them bounce back when things go wrong. Here’s how to build one. Have a Hierarchy of What Needs to Be Secured ...

What Goes Into Data Backup? (It’s More Than You Think)

Do you know what goes into a successful data backup strategy? If not, know that your business depends on these contingencies to confidently face the challenges of today’s business world. Today, we’re breaking down the essentials of a sound backup strategy—and trust us when we say it’s more complicated than you think. Off-Site and Cloud Storage When you store data on-site, you’re risking fallin...