Backups for small businesses: the 3-2-1 rule

Most businesses only think about backups after they lose something important: client files, invoices, photos or years of work. A simple rule makes it easy to be prepared.

The 3-2-1 rule

• 3 copies of your important data (the original plus two backups).
• 2 different types of storage, for example your computer and an external drive.
• 1 copy off-site, such as a cloud backup, in case of theft, fire or flood.

What to back up

• Client and project files.
• Invoices, accounts and contracts.
• Photos and marketing material.
• Your website files and database.

Make it automatic

Backups that rely on remembering don't happen. Use tools that back up automatically on a schedule.

Test your backups

A backup you can't restore isn't a backup. Every few months, try restoring a file to make sure it works.

Need help setting it up?

Our IT support can set up automatic backups for your computers, and our website care plans include daily website backups.