Andy Capaloff
May 14, 2020

If You’re Working From Home, You Need More Data Backups

Here's Why You Need More Data Backups

This will be very short as it’s a single message. I believe that the common wisdom on data backups is wrong. But it’s very easy to fix.

The Cloud Is Great But Isn’t The Be All and End All

Everyone is trying to sell you Cloud backups. I’m not knocking them. I believe the first big mistake is having only one Cloud backup.

There are two reasons why I feel this way – one obvious, the other, not so obvious.

The obvious one: Hackers! I know everyone tells you their Cloud is 100% safe. But if you don’t believe there are people out there working to break into various clouds, I have a bridge to sell you!

Here’s the other reason. Sunspot activity! Yes, that’s very real. And supposedly, it’s on the increase. All it would take is one magnetic blast hitting wherever your data is stored, and you have no more data! Gone!

Of course, every Cloud system should automatically store your data in multiple places. But information on that isn’t so easy to find. You’d think it would be right there on the web page in big bold letters:

WE STORE YOUR DATA IN MULTIPLE PLACES SO YOU DON’T HAVE TO

So, whatever you do, spread your data around!

Here’s a really good article from Technopedia that explains Data Redundancy.

You may also want to read this: Is Working Remotely Risking Your Personal Data?

External Hard Drives Are Still Important!

I’m not trying to sell you a particular brand. I’m not even going to tell you the one I use. But despite Cloud people telling you to migrate all of your data their way, there are a few good reasons to maintain an external drive.

Arguably the best reason is covered above. It’s extra redundancy.

Here are a couple of additional reasons to hold your ground and stick with your own storage for data backups.

If you have an issue with your computer and can’t get into it, you can use it as your startup disk

You can also use it on any other compatible computer as a disk drive, and work on any file stored. No need to sign in to your Cloud account on someone else’s computer. It works great for temporary use of a computer.

Just make sure that neither your disk or the computer you’re signing into have any viruses!

IF you can find a drive that backs up remotely – as in, you don’t have to plug it into your computer as it uses Bluetooth – go for it! You’re far more likely to back up your computer if you don’t actually have to do it yourself. I confess that I don’t do physical backups as frequently as I should because I have to actually do something to make it happen.

Over To You

If you have any suggestions for people when it comes to backups, please leave your comments, below. Please don’t try to sell anything via a link, as our spam checker will not allow that. But good, helpful advice is always appreciated.

 

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Andy Capaloff

Andy Capaloff is the COO of Curatti. Prior to moving into the world of Content Marketing, Social Media Management and the day-to-day running of a Digital Marketing company, Andy spent over 3 decades in various aspects of IT. It is here that he honed his writing and technical skills, and his ability to ask uncommon questions.