Backup: Is it Important?

In companies of various sizes and levels of advancement, all are concerned with preserving their data, whether it's customer-related, financial, or other valuable information. Data protection has become a top priority in the age of technological advancement, often referred to as the era of data and information. In this time, we all possess data and information that distinguishes us from others and is crucial for accessing services. Unauthorized access to this data by individuals not authorized to do so can lead to theft, fraud, control over personal assets, extortion, and other serious matters. Data is indeed so important that we must protect it through the best possible means. One of the methods mentioned in the title of this article is backup. We will define backup, discuss its importance, benefits, and the methods used for it.

What is Backup?

Rarely will you not have come across this term in our current time, given its widespread necessity. In general, backup involves creating a copy of data and storing it in a secure and private location to safeguard it from unauthorized access, theft, or other potential threats. In other words, it is the process of taking a copy of a specific system configuration, storing it separately from the original source of information, providing protection from expected external factors.

Why has Backup become crucial?

Backup is not only important but has become mandatory! How many times have you heard of someone forgetting a password for a specific system, losing access to their account or personal data? Or perhaps someone close to you experiencing the theft of their accounts, funds, or personal information, and maybe even being blackmailed to retrieve it after it was stolen? The examples are numerous.

On an enterprise level, the risks are greater. Without backups, a system failure could lead to bankruptcy and closure. Companies and organizations regularly employ specialized systems and technologies to store the data of employees, managers, customers, and all members of the institution. These may include profile files, financial accounts, and government documents essential for any governmental transactions. Therefore, protecting this data from potential risks is crucial. Institutions maintain a separate backup in case the original system fails, ensuring data is not lost during repairs.

On a personal level, it is essential to back up data of utmost importance. However, certain criteria must be considered to ensure that the backup used is secure:

Backup Criteria:

1. Reliability and Security: Choose a method that securely stores your data, preventing unauthorized access.

2. Speed: Consider the speed of the system where your data is stored, ensuring quick access and retrieval.

3.Cost: Depending on your budget, select a backup method that meets your protection needs. For organizations, protecting records, assets, and data of employees and customers might require a higher investment.

4.Provider's Laws and Permissions: Review the terms and permissions of the backup service provider to ensure they align with your data protection requirements.

Popular Backup Systems:

1. Google Drive: Offers secure storage, allows control over data, and provides 15GB of free space. Additional space can be purchased.

2. OneDrive: Provided by Microsoft, it competes with Google Drive, offering secure storage, sharing, and up to 1TB of space.

3.Mega: A private cloud storage company offering powerful backup services with up to 50GB of free space. It stands out for providing large storage spaces, even in free plans.

Types of Backup:

- Network-Attached Storage (NAS): This type of storage has direct network connectivity and keeps a backup of your data. It contains multiple disk drives in the same device you are working on, providing suitable storage spaces. These units are known as Network-Attached Storage (NAS) and are configured for storage in a setup called Storage Area Network (SAN).

- Storage Units: The most common of these are CD, DVD, USB Flash memory, or internal storage units in devices connected to computers. These can be partitioned, allowing you to allocate specific parts for selected data. Installing separate storage units, similar to those inside computers but more secure, ensures that if the device is damaged, critical data on the connected internal storage unit remains unaffected. Backup copies can be stored on an external unit, either HDD or SSD.

-Cloud Storage: As mentioned in the previous systems offered by renowned companies, these systems store your data on their own servers with their unique protection and reliability.

-Files and Documents: You might be surprised by this option, as it is not as commonly used anymore due to technological dominance. However, keeping a paper backup, if possible, enhances security. For instance, for certain personal documents required for government transactions, having a paper backup can prevent the loss of original documents. Printing essential documents might be costly, so consider creating a backup copy when needed. You can also write down your passwords on paper, kept inside a secure file inaccessible to others to prevent the risk of forgetting personal account numbers. Printing copies of assets and invoices, which some still do due to their importance, is also an option. Some institutions still require printed documents for their services.

Conclusion:

In the end, your choice of backup method for your data is crucial. Do not underestimate the importance of investing in secure, protected, and reliable data storage. It may save you in critical situations, avoiding significant risks such as fraud, theft, or unauthorized access to data. Choose what suits you from these methods, and it's advisable to diversify as much as possible. At least, ensure you have a backup to revert to in case anything happens to the original data.