Backup
Angleški izraz: Backup
A data backup that enables recovery in the event of loss, hardware failure, or cyberattack.
Kaj pomeni Backup?
Backup is the process of creating copies of business data and storing them in a separate location so that they can be restored in case of issues. In practice, this means regular, automated, and verified copying of files, databases, email, and system settings.
It is important to understand that backup is not the same as synchronization (for example OneDrive or Google Drive). Syncing also copies errors and encrypted files after an attack — whereas a real backup keeps multiple older versions that can be accessed.
The 3-2-1 rule is used in business environments: three copies of data, on two different media, with one offsite (or in the cloud).
Zakaj je to pomembno za podjetja?
Downtime or data loss means direct damage — halted production, lost invoices, inaccessible contracts, and GDPR risks. Proper backup is the cheapest form of IT environment insurance: it costs less than a single day of downtime and, in the event of a ransomware attack, is often the only realistic path to business recovery without paying a ransom.
For company management, two pieces of data are most relevant: how much data we lose in the worst-case scenario (RPO) and how long the recovery takes (RTO). Risk cannot be assessed without these two figures.
Kje se to pojavi v praksi?
A typical example for a small business: daily incremental backup of the file server and databases to a NAS in the server room, a weekly full backup, and one copy to the cloud (offsite). For larger environments, we add application-aware backups (for example Veeam for Hyper-V or VMware) and a separate Microsoft 365 backup (email, SharePoint, OneDrive, Teams).
A frequently forgotten example: backup of network device configurations (firewalls, switches, access points). Without these configurations, network recovery after a failure takes days instead of hours.
Najpogostejše težave ali napake
The most common mistake is assuming that the backup works because it worked once. Without regular recovery tests, it turns out that copies are incomplete or unusable — often at the very moment they are needed most.
Another common problem: the backup is in the same location as the source data (for example, a NAS next to the server). In the event of a fire, theft, or a ransomware attack that also encrypts the NAS via the network, both copies are lost.
The third mistake is an inadequate backup of Microsoft 365 services — according to service terms, Microsoft does not guarantee the recovery of user data beyond certain periods and recommends its own backup.
Kako pri tem pomaga VitalIT
At VitalIT, we first check whether the backup works at all in existing environments: we test the recovery of a few files, check logs and encryption, and assess whether a copy exists offsite. Only then do we suggest sensible steps — often an upgrade of the existing solution is enough, rather than a complete replacement.
In practice, we help with the selection and setup of the backup solution, arranging offsite copies (local NAS + cloud), regular recovery tests, and documentation on who, when, and how data can be restored. We adapt solutions to the actual environment and agreement with the client.
Sorodni izrazi
Povezane storitve
Pogosta vprašanja
- How often should we perform a backup?
- For business-critical data, we recommend at least a daily automated copy, and for less critical data, a weekly one. More important than frequency is the answer to the question: how much data can we afford to lose?
- Are OneDrive or SharePoint enough instead of a backup?
- No. Microsoft 365 services are excellent for collaboration and availability, but they are not a replacement for backup. They do not protect against accidental deletion that is not noticed in time, nor against a ransomware attack that encrypts data in the cloud via a synchronized client.
- What is the 3-2-1 rule?
- Three copies of data (original + two copies), stored on two different types of media, with at least one outside the company's physical location. This is the minimum that protects against local disasters and ransomware attacks.
- How much does backup cost for a small business?
- The cost depends on the amount of data, the number of systems, and the required recovery time. In practice, for small companies, this amounts to a few hundred euros per month for a combination of local and cloud backup, which is significantly less than the cost of one day of downtime.
- How do we know the backup actually works?
- The only reliable way is regular recovery testing — at least once a month, try to restore a few files or the entire system into a test environment. Logs of a successful backup completion are not proof that the copy is actually usable.