What Data Should be Protected?

You're ready to move ahead with Backup and Disaster Recovery (BDR) services. You've done your research and are excited to have the peace of mind that BDR brings to businesses. The next step is to identify what data you need to back up. Is it necessary to back up all your data or can you narrow it down to essential items? Most companies want to back up everything - you never know when you'll need it - but that can be cost-prohibitive.

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Depending on the type of BDR you've purchased, you will need to determine what data to store and how frequently it will be backed up. There are three different kinds of back up in today's tech world: straight-to-cloud services, software-based products, and a hybrid approach that combines on-site hardware and software with the cloud.

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The BDR solution you have chosen will impact the amount of data you can back up, back up frequency, how data is segmented, the back up process, and accessibility. It isn't necessary to back up all data every day, but there somethings you should consider.

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First, your financial information should always be protected. Your accounting software should monitor and automatically back up all financial data, including invoices, receivables, payroll, credit card transactions, and receipts. All financial information is essential to your business and should be protected at all times.

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Additionally, all intellectual property is critical and should be protected. Any data or information that provides your business with a competitive advantage in the market should be backed up regularly. Computers and devices which store data or items which could be compromised should be backed up daily.

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You should also back up client files. Clients entrust your business with their valuable information and any type of breach will negatively impact client confidence in your company's ability to keep their data safe. In addition to client files, your company's own client and prospect lists (anything stored in your CRM) should be backed up. Cultivating your lists takes time and money, so protect your valuable assets.

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Project management software, including anything your business uses to keep track of daily activities and progress, should be backed up. In the event of a data loss, having a back up of this data helps preserve project communication and keeps projects moving.

In a perfect world your business would back up every piece of data in its possession. However, this is not always a feasible or affordable option for companies.

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When it comes to BDR, you ideally want to back up every piece of data that you have. Sometimes, though, this is impossible based on the cost involved in maintaining that hefty data chain. At the bare minimum, keep these items in mind and you should never have to deal with a business killing disaster.

The technology experts at AJTC can protect your company with Backup and Disaster Recovery solutions to suit your business. Contact AJTC today to learn more about our BDR and other services. You may also visit AJTC here or call 708.942.8200.