Safeguard your memories and important data with a 3-2-1 backup strategy.
Data back up is such an important topic and tends to be one of those things (along with estate planning😉) that we put off thinking about and/or acting on. And with technology consistently changing, it can feel like a challenge and just one more thing to keep up with. I get it… I really do!
If you aren’t currently backing up your computer and other devices regularly, rest assured that you’re far from alone. But, I hope this post will motivate and encourage you to learn how to safeguard your memories and important data.
The image above is based on actual file types from both my laptop and a large external hard drive (5TB) that I use as a “hub” for my important personal documents and family photo/archive collection.
How many of these types of files are living *only* on your hard drive right now?
Which one(s) would you be most distraught over if they suddenly disappeared?
Keep this in mind as we continue…
For the last sixteen years, Backblaze, a professional cloud storage company, has worked with the Harris Poll to survey the state of computer backups in the U.S. This year’s results revealed that fewer than 1 in 5 Americans (15%) feel absolutely certain that their most important files are securely backed up.
If you’ve ever lost even a single favorite photo, an important document, file or other valuable data, you already know how upsetting and heart-breaking it is. And, since the majority of today’s information exists mostly in digital format, it’s even more critical to ensure that we have a strong backup system in place.
The good news is that there IS a basic backup strategy that’s been an industry and government standard for many years. It’s called the 3-2-1 Rule.
Here’s how Yev Pusin, Senior Director of Marketing for Backblaze, explains it: (source)
What Is the 3-2-1 Backup Rule?
The 3-2-1 backup rule is a simple, effective strategy for keeping your data safe. It advises that you keep three copies of your data on two different media with one copy off-site. Let’s break that down:
Three copies of your data: Your three copies include your original or production data plus two more copies.
On two different media: You should store your data on two different forms of media.
One copy off-site: You should keep one copy of your data off-site in a remote location, ideally more than a few miles away from your other two copies.
If you want to protect your personal information, photos, work files, or other important data, the 3-2-1 backup strategy is the way to go. It helps you avoid having a single point of failure that’s vulnerable to human error, hard drive crashes, theft, natural disasters, or ransomware.
How Does the 3-2-1 Backup Rule Work?
You also have an external hard drive (EHD) at home, used to back up your go-to Mac or gaming PC. That external hard drive will back up socialsecurity.jpg as part of its backup process. That’s a second copy on a different device or medium.
In addition to that external hard drive, you also have an online backup solution (such as Backblaze, Carbonite and a few others). The online backup continuously scans your computer and uploads your data to the cloud (which, in layman’s terms, is an off-site data center). Socialsecurity.jpg is included in this upload, becoming the third copy of your data.
Oh! And, your paper social security card is hopefully stored in a fire-proof safe (not your wallet) as a bonus.
There are various ways to achieve the 3-2-1 strategy depending on the operating system you use and your current needs. The Apple eco-system, with time machine, iCloud and iPhoto, is perfect for some people. Amazon Prime members do get free unlimited photo storage (10GB videos free, then fee-based). And Google has free backup options, but remember… you get what you pay for and are at the mercy of their Terms and Conditions. I’m not saying to not use them, just make sure you have other backups in place as well. I do use Amazon as an auto backup for photos on my phone, but I also add them to my main hub for long-term safe keeping.
People who aren’t comfortable with cloud-based storage can still follow the 3-2-1 strategy. This usually means using multiple external hard drives and keeping one in either a safe-box at a financial institution or at a family or friend’s home (off-site). The key with this method is to ensure that the off-site copy is updated a few times a year - depending on the contents.
My current (personal) strategy is to only save and keep files on my laptop’s hard drive that aren’t critical to my personal life. This also helps with memory and storage space. I also keep the large external hard drive (“hub”) attached to my computer to be able to access any of those personal files and/or family photos, etc. It also has a backup copy of the documents folder from my laptop. When I backup, I copy all the files from the “hub” EHD to a second EHD that I keep in a fire safe lock box. The other reason I keep the hub drive attached to my laptop is because I also use Backblaze. It provides continuous backup, based on what drives and devices I specify. In my case, I have both my laptop’s C drive and my hub external drive set to be monitored and backed up. This serves as my off-site copy.
I have been a Backblaze customer for four years (as of 2024). And, while I have fortunately not had to use their restore service, I like knowing my memories and documents are continuously being backed-up should I need it. Nothing last forever - especially hard drives!
They also send weekly backup confirmation emails, and when it hits my in-box, I’m reassured it’s doing it’s job and all is well. So, for about the cost of a nice dinner out for two ($99), I get a year of continuous backup and protection of my important documents, and my most loved and cherished family memories that I’d be devastated to lose.
As mentioned earlier, there are a few professional (reputable) backup services, like Backblaze, such as Carbonite and Acronis. I would recommend researching a few services and comparing their features, pricing, and reading reviews before deciding on one.
Now… take a moment and think back to what cherished photos, important documents, or valuable files you thought about earlier - the ones you’d be quite distraught over losing. POOF… gone! Turned into bits of cyber dust!
I don’t know about you, but I get anxious just thinking about it.
But, this risk can be mitigated by putting a solid backup plan in place. Regardless of which route and/or services you chose, the MOST important thing is that you start sooner than later. No backup system is perfect or perfectly foolproof, but the 3-2-1 strategy is a great way to start.
June may be backup awareness month, but the practice of regularly and consistently backing up our data needs more than just our awareness.
While it does take some work and effort on our part, we can implement helpful technologies, like professional backup services, that automate part of the process. Ultimately, we want to ensure our memories and important information/data is safeguarded and accessible- both now and in the future.
Have questions about the 3-2-1 Back-up system?