Five Critical Reasons Why You MUST Back Up Your Business Data

No matter how big or small your business is, it is very likely you will collect a lot of data these days. It could be customer information, sales receipts, marketing analysis – the list is endless.

However, it’s important to understand that every piece of info you collect is just another piece of data you can lose. And if something were to happen – a data breach or disaster, for example – you could sink your business if you don’t have a backup.

With this in mind, I thought I would go through some of the most important reasons for backing up your business data. Too few small business owners do so, and they all run the risk of losing everything. Let’s take a closer look.

It has value. First of all, your business data has value – possibly more than you might think. And just as you would keep physical valuables in a safe, for instance, you should also keep your data somewhere you can rely on. You need to look for a service – or system – that offers robust hardware, software, and hi-end protection systems.

People make mistakes. Human error is just one of those things that affect everyone. But without the right protection place, that error could end up costing you a lot more than you might think. And given that 40% of all data errors are the fault of people, there’s a good chance it will happen to you. Backing up your data gives you safety, protection, and a second chance.

Disasters
Disasters, floods, earthquakes – these are all things we cannot plan for. Unless, of course, we are already backing up all our business critical data. The impact of a natural – or man-made – disaster can be enormous for businesses. At the very least, you will lose a day’s productivity, and that will rise significantly depending on the damage. Make sure you invest in disaster recovery and backup services for your business to get a chance of making a quick comeback.

Bring your own device. The bring your own device – or BYOD – phenomenon is a natural progression for businesses. But it isn’t without its faults. Using devices that are remote from your central system leaves you wide open to external attack. Hacked accounts, viruses, spyware – all can access your system from a BYOD employee. Make sure you have a backup to prevent any damage, should you need it.

Audits and archives. You will need to keep your business records for a set amount of time. Failure to do so can lead to a visit from the IRS – which is never a pleasant experience. Now, if you are a small business owner, you might have all your records kept on your computer in a handy file. But can you be sure they are still there? Owning one copy of your files is a total mistake, and it won’t be something the IRS or auditor takes into account. Backing up files gives you the peace of mind you need.

Have I managed to sell backing up your data to you yet? You never know what might go wrong in business. So play safe, be safe, and backup your systems at the next available opportunity.

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