Safeguarding your data is as critical. I have often said that data backups are slightly less important than your heartbeat. I don't feel that is an exaggeration at all. Not having a sound backup system is like giving a toddler a drum set. Eventually, it's going to cause a headache.... and probably day drinking.

On average, traditional hard disk drives (HDDs) have a 3 to 5-year lifespan, while solid-state drives (SSDs) tend to last longer, often around 5 to 7 years or more, under typical usage conditions. There is a 100% chance that many of you reading this are past that life expectancy with no solid backup. No Bueno.

To complicate the problem further, the amount of data we need to store is increasing exponentially. Worldwide, we will exceed 140 zettabytes in 2024 and 180 in 2025. What's a Zaettebyte? -- a LOT Specifically 1,000,000,000,000,000,000,000 (1021) bytes. https://www.statista.com/statistics/871513/worldwide-data-created/

Fortunately, we don't have to deal with that amount on a local level, but the data we do have tends to be far more personal and, in that respect, more vital. I cannot count the number of panicked calls I have received from a friend with a dead or corrupted hard drive who lost all their family photos and documents. Most of which were avoidable.

I do not want to get calls like that any more, so let's dive into some geek-approved methods for bulletproof data protection and types of storage. We can break the conceptdown into Strategy, Devices and Scheduling. Our mission? To set up a foolproof backup routine that is easy, cheap, and gives you peace of mind.

1) The 3-2-1 Backup Strategy: The first thing we need to think about is our strategy. The 3-2-1 backup strategy is a widely recommended method for data protection that aims to ensure data redundancy and availability in case of data loss, corruption, or disasters. This simple yet effective strategy makes it suitable for personal and professional data backup plans. Here's a breakdown of the 3-2-1 backup strategy:

3. Have at Least Three Total Copies of Your Data
2. Keep the Backups on Two Different Media Types
1. Store One Backup Off-site



2) Backup Devices: Choices of backup storage types have never been greater. There is something that fits your needs, from external drives, cloud storage, or NAS systems. Each has its own superpower, from portability to massive online storage space - the important thing is to choose what works for you. The goal? Redundancy and diversification. There are various types of backup storage, each with its own pros and cons. Here are the more common choices:

External Hard Drives: Using an external hard drive for backup offers several advantages, making it a popular choice for data storage needs. It is cost-effective, with a one-time purchase providing substantial storage space. External hard drives are portable, facilitating easy data transport and use across multiple devices, and offer quick data transfer speeds, outpacing online backups, especially for large data volumes. They do not require an internet connection and give users complete control over their data, ensuring privacy and security without reliance on third-party services.
However, external hard drives come with their own set of drawbacks. They are susceptible to physical failure, theft, or loss, posing data integrity and security risks. Their finite lifespan necessitates regular replacement to avoid data loss due to device obsolescence or failure. Also, keeping the drive onsite does not protect against disasters like fire or flood that could destroy both the primary data and the backup.

Internal Backup: This method involves using or adding a secondary internal hard drive or partition dedicated explicitly to storing copies of critical data, system images, or complete backups of the primary drive. This method allows fast and convenient access to backup data without needing external devices or network connections. However, it doesn't protect against physical damage to the PC, such as theft, fire, or other disasters. Also, depending on how /when you back up, it could slow down your machine while in use.

Cloud Storage: Cloud offers the convenience of accessing data from anywhere with an internet connection, making it a scalable and cost-effective solution for storing data. Also, due to the nature of cloud storage, you do not have to worry about that service failing. However, reliance on a stable internet connection for access and potential security risks, including data breaches, present challenges. Additionally, the recurring subscription fees can add up over time. Another drawback is if you are moving a lot of data, downloading it from the cloud can be a nightmare.

That said, services like Google Drive, Dropbox, and Microsoft One Drive all offer generous amounts of ample cloud storage for free (varies in size). Some software programs will help you back up specific data to each service, so you could have your cloud storage bill zero...and geeks love free. This approach also gives you better flexibility as to where you store your stuff. For example, Pictures to Google, Documents To DropBox, and Videos to One Drive.

Two programs that come to mind for this would be CloudMounter - which will assign a drive letter to your cloud store, allowing your local backup software to use each service as a drive and Easus Todo Backup can also automate different cloud services.

Network-Attached Storage (NAS): On the upside, NAS systems provide centralized storage, allowing multiple users on a network to access, store, and share files simultaneously, which enhances collaboration and data accessibility. They typically come with built-in redundancy features like RAID (Redundant Array of Independent Disks), which can protect against data loss due to disk failure. NAS units are scalable, meaning you can add more storage as your needs grow, and most support automated backups. Moreover, NAS devices can serve multiple roles beyond just backup, including as media servers, email servers, and more, offering a versatile solution for managing digital data.

However, NAS comes with considerations. The initial setup and ongoing management require a certain level of technical knowledge. NAS systems depend on network connectivity, so any network issues can impact access to data. Additionally, while RAID configurations offer redundancy, they are not foolproof and can still fail. Also, the cost will be much higher than simple external drives. For example, I have an old Synology Diskstation 2Bay for media sharing
but if I didn't want the media sharing features of the Tthat box, a 4 TB SSD drive would be 1/2 the cost.

USB Flash Drives: Compact and convenient for small amounts of data, but easy to lose and limited in storage capacity. Best used for your portable apps and small data.

Tape Drives: I threw this in for those old-school geeks to make them cringe a bit. BUT yes, tape is a worthy, cheap, long-term storage medium. Modern systems backup 30 Terrabytes of data at 400Mbps+, which doesn't suck. The tape drive hardware can be expensive, and recovering data is far slower than an SSD drive. But if you are working with media like video files or large servers, tape is an excellent combination of cheapness and speed.

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Ok - That's a lot of info; let's take a meme break.

Break's over.

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3) Scheduling: Regular backups are your best defense against data disasters. Once you choose the medium, you will back up to - the medium pointless unless you back up consistently. Effectively scheduling your backup is critical. Choose an automated backup software that meets your needs for a "set it and forget it" approach. You also want to have multiple backups. The most common backup method in this regard is often referred to as the son, father, and grandfather.

1. Son (Daily Backups)
2. Father (Weekly Backups)
3. Grandfather (Monthly Backups)

The hardest part here is choosing which software meets your needs. We have several free and paid backup software choices listed.
Also, there is a number in our Top Freeware Picks, which is a good place to start. But personal preference is key. Soo try a few.

Backups will consume bandwidth and hardware resources, whether local or online. It's advisable to schedule your backups when you're not using your devices so the extra weight on the system doesn't become annoying and you stop your backup.

OK, so what does all this look like?

On my work machine, my current setup is a mirror copy of my primary drive, multiple SSD drives with iDrive for cloud storage. I use a Sabrent Drive Docking station which allows me to use bare/internal drives as opposed to an enclosed USB drive, which can save quite a bit of money. I have far too much data to stuff into a free Google Drive, and iDrive is fast, reasonably priced, and reliable. I have used and written about that service for several years with no problems. You can try iDrive HERE if you like it; you can grab 90% off the first year as a MajorGeeks special.

I don't love iDrive for local storage, however. For Me, Personal Backup is a better local alternative. It's very flexible, easy to configure, and uses the Windows task scheduler, which is a plus.

1. Son (Daily Backups) (mirrored drive / and SSD)
2. Father (Weekly Backups) (SSD Drive)
3. Grandfather (Monthly Backups) (Cloud / iDrive)



Tips:

- Backing up your data effectively is not just about avoiding data loss; it's about peace of mind. When it comes to backups, the more, the better. Remember, it is far better to geek out than freak out.
- Backing up to the cloud is SLOW -- do a full backup your first time (it could take days), and then make sure to change that backup to incremental for future backup.
- Don't forget to test your backups. A backup untested is a backup failed. Periodically test the stored files to ensure your data can return from the digital beyond.

Follow these steps, and rest easy knowing your digital files are secure. Do you have a better method or a horror story about data loss? Drop a comment below

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